>>>> I can connect to the remote database via Linux desktop, it's just via an un encrypted connection through port 3306. For obvious reasons I don't want to do it that way. >>> >>>> My question is, is OpenOffice Calc able to connect to remote databases via SSH and or SCP? If so, do I need a plug in for that, or need to configure calc to do that in some way? How would I do this, or which plug in(s) do I need? >>>> >>> >>> No, but what you could do is use an ssh tunnel to accomplish this. >>> Something along the lines of "ssh -L 3307:database.example.net:3306 >>> database.example.net" >>> >>> This will tell your system to tunnel the local port 3307 through the >>> database box, TO the database box on port 3306. From this point, after >>> you connect via ssh with the above command, you can simply point your >>> database software to the local 3307 port in plain text, and it'll >>> travel over ssh to the remote box. >>> >>> I've probably done a bad job explaining this, so I'll go get some more coffee. >> >> Hehe THANKS Jim I need some too! >> >> So when I "ssh -L 3307:database.example.net:3306", am I doing this via terminal prior to connecting with Calc (or base), >> then start up base and enter in just the regular database.example.net into the "Server URL" field in Clac or base? >> >> Or do I need to enter "ssh -L 3307:database.example.net:3306" just once in to the "Server URL" FIeld from within OpenOffice Calc or VBase? >> > > You should enter localhost:3307. That connects to the local end of your SSH > tunnel. OK this is what I tried - I opened up terminal on my local desktop machine, and I issued the command: ssh -L 3307:domain.name.of.DesktopLocalMySQLserver:3306 username at domain.name.of.RemoteServer. Then I started up OpenOffice Calc, clicked on File>New>Database, and in the area where it asks for the "ServerURL", I entered in: localhost:3307 and just below it where it asks for the port number I also entered in 3307 (the default is 3306). The error I got was "Illegal Connection Port Value 3307:3307: and I could not connect. _________________________________________________________________ Need to know the score, the latest news, or you need your Hotmail®-get your "fix". http://www.msnmobilefix.com/Default.aspx