MySQL connection over SSH tunnel - how to specify other MySQL server?

Question

I've got ~50 databases all set up at different host names, with the requirement that I connect to them through an SSH tunnel.

For example:

• SSH host at ssh.example.com

• MySQL host at mysql1.example.com

I have managed to create the tunnel using autossh (web server running Debian), but I can't seem to figure out how to connect to a specific MySQL hostname "beyond" the SSH tunnel.

Typing lsof -i -n | egrep '<ssh>' confirms that the tunnel is working (sends port 3307 to ssh.example.com port 3306)

So when I try mysql -h 127.0.0.1 -P 3307 I get Connection refused. Not too weird since it's not an MySQL server.

My question to you guys:

How do I specify the mysql1.example.com host AFTER creating the SSH tunnel? I've tried searching everywhere but can't seem to figure it out.

Answer 1

Solved it! The thing was to connect to the correct server when creating the tunnel itself - should've seen that one coming.

ssh -f user@ssh.example.com -L 3307:mysql1.example.com:3306 -N

Then mysql -h 127.0.0.1 -P 3307 worked as intended. :)