How to Create and Manage a Database for Your Game Server

Some add-ons, plugins and mods need a database to store information. A database is a safe place where data like player stats or settings can be saved. The RiverHosting panel lets you create one in a few clicks, with no extra software needed. This guide shows you how to create a database, find its login details, change its password and delete it.

Before you start

• You need access to your server in the RiverHosting panel at https://panel.riverhosting.com.
• The Databases page is in the SYSTEM section of the left-hand menu. If you do not see it, your account may not have permission. The server owner can allow it under Users (Subusers), using the Databases permission group.
• The databases use MySQL. Your add-on's own documentation will usually tell you if it supports MySQL.

1. How to create a new database

1. Log in to the RiverHosting panel and open your server.
2. In the left-hand menu, under SYSTEM, click Databases.
3. Click New Database.
4. Type a Database name. Pick something short that tells you what it is for.
5. Choose which IPs may connect. Using % means any address is allowed. Because databases are only reachable from your game server, this is the simplest choice for most customers.
6. Confirm to create the database.

2. How to find your database login details

Whatever add-on you use will ask for the same details. You can find all of them on the Databases page.

1. Go to Databases in the left-hand menu.
2. In the list, find your database. You will see the Database name, the Username and Connections From.
3. In the Password column, click the show button to reveal the password, or the copy button to copy it without showing it.
4. Once a database exists, the host appears under Connection Details. Copy it from there.

You now have the four things most add-ons ask for: host, database name, username and password.

3. How to add the details to your add-on's settings

Most add-ons keep their database settings in a configuration file. You can edit it right in the panel.

1. Click Files in the left-hand menu and find the add-on's configuration file.
2. Open the item menu for the file and click Edit File. The built-in editor opens text files up to 2 MB.
3. Paste in the host, database name, username and password from the Databases page.
4. Save the file.
5. Restart your server so the add-on reads the new details. You can use the Restart button on the Console page, or the Quick Console (the >_ tab on the right edge of most pages).

4. How to rotate the password or delete a database

On the Databases page, each database has two actions: Rotate Password and Delete Database.

To change the password:

1. Go to Databases.
2. Click Rotate Password on the database you want to change.
3. Click the show or copy button in the Password column to get the new password.
4. Update the password in your add-on's configuration file using Files and Edit File, then restart your server.

To delete a database:

1. Go to Databases.
2. Click Delete Database on the database you no longer need.
3. Confirm the deletion.

Troubleshooting

• I cannot see the Databases page. A page only appears if you have permission. Ask the server owner to turn on the Databases permission for your account under Users.
• My add-on cannot connect. Check that the host, database name, username and password match what the Databases page shows. Then restart your server so the add-on loads the new details.
• I cannot connect from my own computer. This is expected. Databases are reachable from your game server only.
• It stopped working after I rotated the password. Update the password in the add-on's configuration file and restart your server.
• The Host is missing. The host appears under Connection Details once a database exists. Create a database first, then check again.
• The file will not open in the editor. Edit File works with text files up to 2 MB. Larger files need to be downloaded, changed and uploaded again.

Need help?

If your database still will not connect, the RiverHosting team is happy to help. Open a ticket on our support page and tell us which add-on you are setting up.