How to Connect FTP to MySQL: 4 Easy Methods

Easily move your data from FTP to MySQL to enhance your analytics capabilities. With Hevo’s intuitive pipeline setup, data flows in real-time—check out our 1-minute demo below to see the seamless integration in action!

FTP servers contain valuable data files that often need further analysis and processing. MySQL is a popular database solution well-suited for analyzing file data imported from FTP sources. Establishing connectivity between the two enables automating workflows for transferring FTP data into MySQL for simpler manipulation.

This guide outlines 4 easy methods to on how to connect FTP to MySQL – from using command line tools to MySQL workbench to automated data pipeline tool. By setting up an FTP to MySQL connection, you can build pipelines to process logs, invoices, inventory files and many other types of data sourced from FTPs into MySQL allowing leveraging SQL power for business intelligence needs.

What is MySQL?

MySQL is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) that uses Structured Query Language (SQL) for managing and manipulating databases. It is widely used for web applications and as a component of the popular LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Python/Perl) stack.

Key Features of MySQL:

• Open-source: Freely available and modifiable under the GNU General Public License.
• High Performance: Designed for high-speed, scalable applications with fast query processing.
• Cross-platform Support: Available for various operating systems like Linux, Windows, macOS.
• Scalability: Supports large databases, up to terabytes of data.
• Data Security: Offers strong data protection with authentication, encryption, and SSL support.

What is File Transfer Protocol(FTP)?

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, a basic standard protocol for transferring files over the Internet. It was created in the 1970s to push and pull large files between systems.

• Data Encryption: FTP alone does not encode the data being transferred, which implies both the data and login credentials can be captured.
• Port: FTP Use port 21
• Data Channels: FTP uses two channels:
• Command Channel —  is used to send commands
• Data Channel — used for transferring data.
• Authentication: It needs a username and password to authenticate, but even the credentials are communicated in plain text.

Methods to Set Up the Connection of FTP to MySQL

This article delves into four methods that can be utilized to set up the FTP to MySQL connection. MySQL FTP allows the secure transfer of MySQL database files over the File Transfer Protocol. You will also see some of the pros and cons of these approaches and will be able to pick the best method based on your use case. Below are the 4 methods:

Method 1: Connecting FTP to MySQL using Hevo’s No-code Data Pipeline

Hevo supports data replication every 5 minutes, thus ensuring near real-time data for analysis and insights.

Hevo focuses on 2 simple steps to get you started:

Step 1: Configure FTP/SFTP as your Source

Step 2: Configure MySQL as your destination.

Check out what makes Hevo amazing:

• In-built Transformations – Format your data on the fly with Hevo’s preload transformations using either the drag-and-drop interface or our nifty Python interface. Generate analysis-ready data in your warehouse using Hevo’s Postload Transformation.
• Auto-Schema Management – Correcting improper schema after the data is loaded into your warehouse is challenging. Hevo automatically maps source schema with the destination warehouse so you don’t face the pain of schema errors.
• Security – Discover peace with end-to-end encryption and compliance with all major security certifications including HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC-2.

Method 2: Connecting FTP to MySQL using phpMyAdmin

The following 2 steps need to be carried out under this method to connect FTP to MySQL using phpMyAdmin:

• Step 1: Exporting Data from MySQL through FTP
• Step 2: Importing Data from MySQL through FTP

Step 1: Exporting Data from MySQL through FTP

Exporting data from MySQL is an important methodology & FTP provides the main functionality in performing this task. To carry out this, the following steps need to be followed:

• Connect to your database using phpMyAdmin. If you want further details about it, please go through the official documentation. 
• In phpMyAdmin, on the left-hand side, one can see the databases.

The next step is to click on the Export button present on the top menu to export the selected database.

• As you click on the Export button, it will ask you to select the export methodology. Select Custom – display all possible options.

• Next, it will ask you to select the file format in which you want to get the data saved, i.e., SQL, CSV, XLS, etc.  For now, we can choose the default option, i.e. SQL. For further export types, you can read through the official documentation.

• Next, you can select the files that need to be exported.

• Next, the Object Creation options can be selected according to the choice.

• You could change the name if needed. If Not, you can click on Go. As a result, database content can be exported into .sql format to your local computer.

Step 2: Importing Data from MySQL through FTP

Just like exporting data from MySQL with the help of FTP, importing data is also an important feature. 

To import data from MySQL through FTP, follow these steps:

• In case the database is not being created, it needs to be created. For more detail, please have a look at the official documentation. 

• Click on Import from the top menu.
• Click on the Choose File button from Browse Computer Section. 

• Browse your local database file and click open. You would need to unzip files if they are zipped. 
• Once done. Click on the go button and wait while the complete database gets imported. 

• Once it is completed, a success message will pop on the screen. 

Limitations of using phpMyAdmin to Connect FTP to MySQL

Some of the limitations of using phpMyAdmin to connect FTP to MySQL include:

• Requires significant time investment and technical knowledge to implement.
• Potential errors with manual implementation could lead to data loss.
• The lack of an update process could lead to incompatibility in the long run.

Method 3: Connecting FTP to MySQL using Command-Line

This is an efficient methodology that works for all database sizes including very large ones as well. For this methodology, one must be able to log into your server with SSH [Secure Shell].

The following 2 steps need to be carried out under this method to connect FTP to MySQL using Command-Line:

• Step 1: Transferring Data from MySQL to FTP
• Step 2: Transferring Data from FTP to MySQL

Step 1: Transferring Data from MySQL to FTP

First, log into your server (MySQL) via SSH. 

Next, navigate to a directory using cd command where the user has to write access.

Example:          

cd /var/www/vhosts/demo.com/httpdocs

Export the data from MySQL to FTP by executing the following command:

mysqldump -u admin -p`cat /etc/psa/.psa.shadow` dbname > backup_dbname.sql

• -u is the name of a database user which could be ‘admin’ in most cases. 
• dbname is the name of the database one is trying to export. 
• Backup_dbname.sql is the name one wants to give to backup files. 

Once the above-mentioned command is executed, you will be asked for your database password. After entering the password, the database will start exporting.

Once the data import is complete, the resulting SQL file can be downloaded. Now, connect to the server with FTP using Quick Connect, and navigate to the directory where you want to download it.

Please note to remove the SQL file from the public directory, if it has been created there. Otherwise, anyone would be able to download it from the web. 

The error you might get:

Got Error: 1045: Access denied for user 'admin@abc.com' (using password: YES) when trying to connect

This means the password entered is wrong. You would need to retype it carefully, or it can be reset in the AccountCenter. 

Step 2: Transferring Data from FTP to MySQL

• Using FTP, upload SQL files to MySQL. It can be uploaded to a default FTP directory.  
• Log into your server using SSH.
• Using the cd command, navigate to the directory where the backup file is uploaded. If it is uploaded to the public httpdocs directory, go here:

cd /var/www/vhosts/abc.com/path_to_file

Import the database by executing the following command:

mysql -u admin -p`cat /etc/psa/.psa.shadow` dbname < backup_dbname.sql

Once the above-mentioned command is executed, you will be asked for your database password. After entering the password, the database will start importing. When completed you would return to the command prompt. 

Please note to remove the SQL file from the public directory, if it has been created there. Otherwise, anyone would be able to download it from the web. 

The error you might get:

Got Error: 1045: Access denied for user 'admin@example.com' (using password: YES) when trying to connect

This means the password entered is wrong. You would need to retype it carefully, or it can be reset in the AccountCenter. 

Limitations of using Command-Line to Connect FTP to MySQL

Some of the limitations of using Command-Line to connect FTP to MySQL include:

• Requires significant time investment and technical knowledge to implement.
• Requires good working knowledge of Command-Line Interface.
• Potential errors with manual implementation could lead to data loss.
• The lack of an update process could lead to incompatibility in the long run.

Method 4: Connecting MySQL to FTP using MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench serves as a graphical user interface (GUI) for query execution, user management, permission control, and administration of databases and MySQL servers. To facilitate data export/import, it offers a user-friendly wizard-based process. Despite this, direct FTP server connection is not supported. To overcome this limitation, data can be transferred to and from CSV files, which can then be manually uploaded/downloaded to/from FTP or managed using alternative tools.

Steps to Follow

To export data from MySQL via FTP, MySQL Workbench offers a wizard for exporting table contents. Follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the desired table name to be exported. Select the “Export Wizard” option as highlighted in the image below to begin the process.

2. Click Next after selecting the table’s columns that need to be exported.

3. To specify the destination for the exported table data, click the browse option. Other options like exporting the data as a JSON or CSV file will be available. Check the box as indicated in the image below if you wish to export the data to your local computer.

4. To begin the export process, click Next.

5. The export procedure will eventually be successfully finished. The export procedure confirmation will be displayed in the subsequent wizard.

Data importation into MySQL via MySQL Workbench

In order to import data into the MySQL server from your local computer,

1 Perform a right-click on the database where the table has to be imported. To begin the process of importing data into MySQL via FTP, select the Table Data Import Wizard option.

2. To choose the file that has to be imported, choose the browse option.

After the file path has been entered, click Next.

3. We can import the data into an existing table or make a new one in the next step. We will import the data into a new table for this example. As shown in the figure below, enter the name of the table that has to be established.

4. The sort of file that has to be exported is automatically determined by the wizard. Indicate the data type each column mentioned from the drop-down box is.

5. To begin the import process, click Next. The wizard shows the confirmation for the same after the import is finished.

Limitations of Connecting MySQL to FTP using MySQL Workbench

1. Performance Challenges with Remote Connections: While MySQL Workbench supports connections to remote databases, network latency and bandwidth constraints can significantly impact performance. Users dealing with databases in different locations may encounter delays or timeouts.
2. MySQL-Centric Optimization: MySQL Workbench, a robust MySQL database management tool, has limited support for other database systems. Although it offers some compatibility through ODBC (Open Database Connectivity), the experience is not as seamless or feature-rich as with MySQL or MariaDB databases. Those seeking a comprehensive multi-database management solution may need to explore alternative options.
3. Challenges with Large Databases: Managing large databases with MySQL Workbench may demand additional system resources and careful configuration. Performance issues or errors may arise when handling databases of several gigabytes or more. This limitation is especially pertinent for users engaged in complex queries or data manipulations on extensive datasets, necessitating system and MySQL Workbench settings optimization for smooth operation.

Use Hevo’s no-code data pipeline to seamlessly ETL your data from FTP and other multiple sources to MySQL in an automated way. Try our 14-day full feature access free trial!

Conclusion

This article teaches you how to set up a connection of FTP to MySQL with ease. It provides in-depth knowledge about the concepts behind every step to help you understand and implement them efficiently.

These methods, however, can be challenging, especially for a beginner.

The last 3 methods involve manual efforts using significant engineering bandwidth and require knowledge of the AWS environment. For someone to quickly create a load job from FTP to MySQL without going in deep into AWS configurations and other details, an ETL tool like Hevo, which can accomplish this in a matter of clicks, is a better alternative.

Hevo provides an Automated No-code Data Pipeline that empowers you to overcome the above-mentioned limitations.

Sign up for a 14-day free trial and experience the feature-rich Hevo suite firsthand.

You can also have a look at our unbeatable pricing that will help you choose the right plan for your business needs!

Share your experience of setting up the connection of FTP to MySQL in the comments section below!

FAQs to connect FTP to MySQL