connecting with a mysql back end in a webserver, is it possible?

[icemonster]

so is it possible to connect a mysql server over the web? cause when i was looking at the ODBC connector, it can be done though, yet i haven't tried it. so i want to know if someone has and is it a good idea? thanks!

 

[mdlueck]

Hosting providers usually put DB servers behind a firewall such that only their webservers may connect to the DB servers. Check your hosting provider. Otherwise, yes you could connect to a DB server at a hosting provider.

 

[icemonster]

is it a good idea though? cause lately my office has been itching on making an online application while keeping the front end of the system in the office, i mean it is possible since i built my back end using mysql and if the front end where to be translated to web based it would take awhile and since the back end is already in mysql format, it would be just easier to just make an online application using the mysql and just make a php web for applying online so they would be using the same tables. so is it a good idea? i know speed is depended on our servers and i know it is, but is it wise to do so at this point? just a basically the goal is migrating the access front end to web based slowly.