Have you used any databases only hosting service?

Question

Are there any database only hosting services?

I need a MySQL only hosting service but I couldn't find any. All mysql hostings are part of a package e.g. PHP + MySQL.

I need it for development purposes. Having my PHP files somewhere else I can remotely connect to this mysql server and once an application is ready I can put that on a server having both PHP + MYsql. [well, there a some reason to have this kinda setup, if you have something to suggest please do.]

Any suggestion/recommendation if you have used any.

Thanks

Answer 1

The problem with a database-only host would be the security. The database need to be accessed over the Internet, thus username and password to access it are sent over the Internet. Even though you could add encryption and other protection, there's still a risk that the security is breached.

In general, you should never allow direct access to databases over the Internet! It's a real bad practice, which also explains why it's hard to find.

One way to get around such limitation is by building a web service around your database. In this web service you'll add all the functionality that you need to apply on this database, and the web service itself will keep the database itself protected. There would still be a risk that your web service gets compromised but even in that case, the attacker could never do more damage than the specific web service allows.

Such a web service can be created in PHP, although I myself have more experience with doing something similar with .NET and C# on SQL Server...

Answer 2

I think that you can find hosts with MySQL and PHP cheap enough that it would be easiest for you just to use one of those hosts and only use what you need.

Web Hosting Buzz has a plan for $5.95 (a month) which has unlimited databases, 400GB storage, and 500GB/Month data transfer.