Configuring Remote Access to the Database in Desktop Central

Desktop Central stores all the information in a database. For example, it comprises information about computers, software applications that are installed, hardware that is installed and details about patches.

You can access this database remotely to get certain information. For example, assume that you require information from the database to help you to generate specific reports that are not readily available and cannot be generated using the Custom Reports feature. You can access the database used by Desktop Central to get this information.

The database is located in the Desktop Central server. You can access this database remotely. However, not everyone has permission to access the database. Only administrators can grant access to computers to connect to the database remotely.

When you are granted permission you can only read the information that is available in the database.

Granting or Revoking Access

As an administrator, you may grant or revoke access for computers to access the database, in Desktop Central, remotely. You should grant Read-only access. The user should not be given permission to make changes to the database.

This access may be granted only to allow a user to gather information required to create reports that are not readily available and cannot be created using the Custom Reports feature.

It is highly recommended that you check the usage status periodically and revoke the access to the database from users who:

• Do not require to access the database
• Have access to the database but are not using it

Steps

To grant or revoke remote access to the database in the Desktop Central server, follow the steps given below:

1. Click the Admin tab
2. In the Global Settings section, click Remote DB Access
3. In the Remote Computer Name field, enter the name of the computer to which you want to grant remote access

4. In the Access Type section, select Grant Revoke, as required
5. Click Save

You have granted or revoked remote access to the database in the Desktop Central server.

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Connecting Remotely to the Database

You can use any ODBC tool like sqlyog to connect remotely to the database in the Desktop Central server. Ensure that the computer from which you are trying to establish a remote connection has been granted access before you try to connect to the database

Checking for Computers With Access

To view the list of the computers which have been granted access to connect remotely to the database in the Desktop Central server, follow the steps given below:

1. Click the Admin tab
2. In the Global Settings section, click Remote DB Access
3. Click the Computers that have been granted remote access link

You can now see a list of computers which have been granted access by the administrator to connect remotely to the database in the Desktop Central server.

Details Required to Connect Remotely

You require the following details to connect remotely to the database in the Desktop Central server:

• Mysql Host Address: This refers to the name of the computer where the database server is running. Unless the database server is running in another computer, the host address will be the same as that of the computer where the Desktop Central server is installed and running.
• Username: This refers to the username that you are required to enter to connect remotely to the database. The username to connect to the database is root.
• Password: You do not have to enter a password.
• Port: This refers to the port number that is required to connect to the database. By default, the port number is 23306. If you have changed the number of the port, specify it before trying to establish the connection to the database.
• Database(s): This refers to the name of the database that you want to connect to remotely. You should enter desktopcentral in this field.

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