MySQL separate user accounts: Difference between revisions

'''Hosting separate user accounts on MySQL server'''

Sounds a complex task however in reality it is extremely easy because inherently all the components are in place. Uniform Server has phpMyAdmin set-up for local access by user root this is easily changed to provide a central copy for users to access via the Internet and maintain their individual databases.

Before diving in it is worth looking at a little MySQL history this helps in understanding why Uniform Server changed the program name!

I have included this section to show there were actually several versions of the MySQL server to choose from:

* '''mysqld-max-nt.exe''' This version's similar to mysqld-nt, but has advanced features that support transactions.

After installing full versions of MySQL all the above programs are located in the bin directory. Use mysql-opt for Win98x/ME and mysqld-nt on Windows NT/2000/XP.

When MySQL five series was introduce support for Windows 95/98/ME and older version were dropped. The following versions are supported Windows operating system 2000; XP, Vista and Windows Server 2003 the number of programs were reduced accordingly:

* '''mysqld.exe''' This is the basic version of MySQL It includes support for all advanced features and optimized for speed.

'''''Uniform Server 3.5-Apollo'''''

Take a look in folder *\Uniform Server\udrive\usr\local\mysql\bin you may be surprised to find the server is '''mysqld-opt.exe'''! In reality it is '''mysqld-nt.exe''' renamed allowing backwards compatibility with older plugins and scripts.

Real significance if you want to upgrade the MySQL server yourself make sure to use the correct file and rename it accordingly.

Enough of this digression lets look at providing our users with control and access to their MySQL accounts using phpMyAdmin.

MySQL management is straightforward every user with the exception of root (super user) have their global select privileges disabled.

Each user must have a name and corresponding password.

To complete the set-up assign each user one or more databases to access and assign privileges.

That covers the management system, to set-up each user account you can use either [[MySQL Console | MySQL console]] or [[MySQL phpMyAdmin | phpMyAdmin]] click the appropriate link for details. Below I have provided a summary for using phpMyAdmin after this show you how to install a central copy of phpMyAdmin for your users to access on-line.

<li> '''Click on Home''' takes you back to the home page.

       In either case opens the user edit privileges page for that database

Click on reload the privileges link contained in the above statement this executes the query

Instructing the MySQL server to take another look at the user tables and hence puts all of your new users and privileges into operation.

== PhpMyAdmin authentication ==

== Set-up a central copy of phpMyAdmin ==

Uniform Server for security reason hides phpMyAdmin from external users, access is limited to local host. Using a copy of this with minor changes allows users to administer their own databases over the Internet. A central copy of phpMyAdmin is placed in the root folder with authentication enabled as follows:

# Copy this folder and all its contentents to the root folder:

Enter user root and the password you set for the MySQL server (using apanel) you will now have access to phpMyAdmin.  

== Dead in the water ==

You are '''dead in the water''' if you can access the '''account root with password root''' put your servers online and kiss your MySQL server good bye.

You are the only one that should know your root password remember the server defaults to root hence every one knows this. Please check out the security checklist page (apanel) and change the root password according to the instructions found on this page.

== File .htaccess ==

One final touch is to copy the file .htaccess (the one contained in your root folder will do) into the folder phpMyAdmin and edit it contents:

It prevents viewing by a browser any folders in phpMyAdmin that do not contain an index page.

== Final test ==

Well that about wraps it up for user accounts on a MySQL server easy to implement. If you are not going to host user accounts, it is still worth reading the [[MySQL phpMyAdmin | phpMyAdmin]] page to get a feel for its power. Remember you can break Uniform Server to your hearts content when it becomes irretrievable just delete it and install a clean version.