Databases : Introduction to phpMyAdmin in cPanel

In this tutorial, we are going to discuss new section in cPanel which is: “DATABASES”. This section provides following tools for the cPanel users:

• phpMyAdmin
• MySQL Databases
• MySQL Database Wizard
• Remote MySQL

As shown in the following screenshot:

1. phpMyAdmin :

Using phpMyAdmin tool you can easily handle the various options for managing the databases at the table level. The screen of phpMyAdmin looks like this :

On the left-hand side you can see the information_schema and on the right-hand side, you can see a console which shows various options for managing your databases. The options are like this :

Databases, SQL, Status, Export, Import, Settings, Variables, Charsets, Engines etc. On the extreme right-hand side, you can also see options like: Database server, Web Server, and phpMyAdmin.

You can also see Options like General Settings and Appearance settings.

General Settings: This option provides you a drop-down list from which you can select a Server Connection Collation.

Server Connection Collation: Several character set and collation system variables relate to a client’s interaction with the server. Additional character set and collation system variables are involved in handling traffic for the connection between a client and the server. Every client has connection-related character set and collation system variables.

A “connection” is what you make when you connect to the server. The client sends SQL statements, such as queries, over the connection to the server. The server sends responses, such as result sets or error messages, over the connection back to the client. This leads to several questions about character set and collation handling for client connections, each of which can be answered in terms of system variables.

Let’s discuss Appearance settings :

You can do settings of Language, Theme and Font Size using this option.

Language: – From the drop-down list select the language.

Theme: – Now mostly it is set by default to “pmohomme”.

Font Size: – Select the Font Size from the drop-down list.

Let’s discuss each of the options required for managing the database  in detail:

• Databases: It shows the Database statistics i.e. the Database name, Collation and the Action taken on the Database.

Note: Enabling Database statistics might cause traffic between the web server and the MySQL server.

• SQL: This option is used for running SQL Query or Queries on the database. You will get an option:”Run SQL Query/Queries on Server ” as shown in the following screenshot:

• Status :

It gives information about the network traffic i.e. since startup. As seen in the following screenshot :

You can see Network Traffic since startup. It also tells you since when the MySQL server is running and when it started up on with date and time.

It also shows the Traffic in per Hour in 3 parts: 1. Traffic Received Per hour 2. Traffic Sent per hour and 3. Total Traffic.

It also shows you the Connections per hour, divided into 3 parts: 1. Max. Concurrent Connections 2. Failed attempts and 3. Aborted 4. Total

• Export:

This option is used for exporting databases from the current server. There are 2 methods :

1. Quick: Display only minimal options.
2. Custom: Display all the options.

By default “Quick” method is selected.

• Format :

Select the format of the Databases which you want to export from the drop-down list. By Default, it is set on “SQL”.

Then Click “GO”.

Import :

This tool is used for importing Databases from the current server.

The files to import can be compressed or uncompressed. A compressed file name must end in .sql, .zip

Use Browse your computer for selecting the file which you want to import. The max. size allowed is 500MB. You may also drag and drop a file. Also, select the character set from the drop-down list.

Partial Import :

It allows interruption of an import in case the script detects it is closed to PHP timed out. It might be a good option to import large files but it can break transactions.

You can also select the number of queries which you want to skip at the time of importing the databases from the drop down option. By default, this option is selected.

Other Options:

Enable Foreign Key checks: This is by default selected.

Format :

Select the format of the database from the Drop down list. By Default, it is “SQL”.

Format- Specific Options:

SQL Compatibility Mode: Select this mode from the drop-down list. By Default, it is “NONE”.

Also, a checkbox for “Do not use AUTO_INCREMENT for zero values is by default checked.

Once you are sure about all the above options then click “GO”.

Settings :

This tool has 3 options: 1. Import 2. Export 3.Reset

1. Import :

Using this setting you can Import a file by browsing or from browser’s storage. Select one of the options i.e. import from file or Import from browsers storage. By default “Import from file ” is selected.

You also get an option for “Merging with the current configuration”. If you want to merge with current configuration then only select this check box.

Once you are sure to click “Go”.

2. Export:

From here you can Export a file with 3 options :

1. Save as a file
2. Save as a PHP file
3. Save to Browser’s storage.

These settings will be stored in your browser’s storage.

Then click “GO”.

3. Reset :

Using this option you can reset all your settings and restore them to default values.

For that Click “Reset”.

Server Variables and settings:

The MySQL server maintains many system variables that indicate how it is configured. Each system variable has a default value. System variables can be set at server startup using options on the command line or in an option file.

This section provides a description of each system variable.

Using this option you can Edit the Variables and settings. You can enter the word in the text box provided under ” Containing the Word” for Filters.

Character Sets and Collations:

Here you can see the list of the Collations and their description, as seen in the following screenshot:

Storage Engines :

Here you can see the various Storage Engines and their Description as seen in the following screenshot.

Plugins :

It provides information about Plugins, Authentication, FTPAR SER, Information schema and Storage Engine.