# Tunneled MySQL Connections

This document explains how to connect to a MySQL or MariaDB database through an encrypted TCP tunnel. We use the mysql command line utility, but the same tunnel can be used by GUI tools.

# Basic Connection

Create a TCP tunnel, using either pomerium-cli or the Pomerium Desktop client:
pomerium-cli tcp aService.corp.example.com:3306 --listen :3306
--listen

The --listen flag is optional. It lets you define what port the tunnel listens on locally. If not specified, the client will choose a random available port.
Local Address

The Local Address field is optional. Using it defines what port the tunnel listens on locally. If not specified, Pomerium Desktop will choose a random available port.
Initiate your MySQL connection, pointing to localhost:
```
mysql -h 127.0.0.1 -u USER -p
```

# Allow Access from Remote Hosts:

Your MySQL or MariaDB service may not accept connections from remote hosts. Find the bind-address key in the configuration files (usually located in /etc/mysql/) and edit it to accept remote connections. For example:
```
# Instead of skip-networking the default is now to listen only on
# localhost which is more compatible and is not less secure.
bind-address            = 0.0.0.0
```
When connecting, you may get an error like ERROR 1130 (HY000): Host '192.0.2.10' is not allowed to connect to this MariaDB/MySQL server. You can create a user entry in your database for the Pomerium host:
```
CREATE USER 'user'@'pomerium.local' IDENTIFIED BY 'some_pass';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* TO 'user'@'pomerium.local'
```
Or create a user entry with no host associated:
```
CREATE USER 'user'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY 'some_pass';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* TO 'user'@'%'
```

# More Resources

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