1. How do I create a MySQL database?
2. How do I change the login information or manage users for MySQL/MSSQL databases in my hosting account?
3. How do I test MySQL connectivity?
4. How do I backup my MySQL databases?

1. How do I create a MySQL database?

1. Logged into the Plesk Control Panel for the hosting plan you want to modify
2. Click “Databases” on the left side of the page.
   
3. Click the "Add Database" button, which will load the screen shown below.
   
   • Enter a Database name in the “Database name” field.
   • Create a database user
     • Set a database user name
     • Set a password for the newly-created user
   • Leave all other fields on this page as their default values.
4. Click “OK”

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2. How do I change the login information or manage users for MySQL/MSSQL databases in my hosting account?

Databases are created on the domain level through the Databases menu in Plesk.
These databases can be assigned separate database user accounts as follows:

1. Open the Plesk Control Panel
2. Click Database on the left followed by User Management
   
3. To add a new user click Add Database User. To edit an existing user click on the Username.
   

NOTE: The user names and passwords for user accounts created in this manner are case-sensitive.

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3. How do I test MySQL connectivity?

1. Create a new blank text file (Can also be done directly in Plesk File Manager)

2. Copy and paste the below text into a blank text file.

   <?php
   $db = "Database name"; #Database name
   $user = "Database username"; #Database username
   $pass = "Database password"; #Database password
   $host = "Database server"; #Database server
   $link = mysqli_connect($host, $user, $pass, $db);
   
   if (!$link) {
   echo "Error: Unable to connect to MySQL." . PHP_EOL;
   echo "Debugging errno: " . mysqli_connect_errno() . PHP_EOL;
   echo "Debugging error: " . mysqli_connect_error() . PHP_EOL;
   exit;
   }
   
   echo "Success: A proper connection to MySQL was made." . PHP_EOL;
   echo "Host information: " . mysqli_get_host_info($link) . PHP_EOL;
   
   mysqli_close($link);
   php?>
           

3. Fill in the database name, database username, database password and database server fields.
4. Once you have updated the file with the appropriate information, save it as SQLtest.php and upload it to your hosting account (see Web Hosting: Upload Files to Web Hosting Account). Then, run the script by navigating to the file in a web browser (e.g., "http://www.mydomain.com/SQLtest.php").

If all the information was entered correctly, you should receive the message, "Success: A proper connection to MySQL was made." If you receive an error message, double-check the information that you entered into the script. If you still can't connect, please submit a Help Request through our Help Center and include the error message you received.

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4. How do I backup my MySQL databases?

To export a backup of your existing MySQL database follow the instructions below:

1. Log into the control panel for your hosting account.
2. Click Databases on the left.
3. Under the database that you want to back up, click on Export Dump
   
   
4. Export Dump: Review the information in the export dump pop up and click OK
   • Save the dump to the following directory: You can select a directory. By default, the file will be saved to the root.
   • Dump file name: By default, the file name will be DATBASE_NAME_Year-Month-Day_HR-MN-S.sql.zip
   • Automatically Download Dump After Creation: This should be checked.
     
5. It will take time to export and compress the database you can view the status in the lower right.
   
6. When complete, the download will start automatically. If it does not, you can start the download by clicking download link in the status window in the lower right. 
   

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