I normally code on windows and using MYSQL4.1. And mysql gem version is 2.8.1. In my setup when I use mysql gem to access the MYSQL server, I give the root username and password of the sql server. And in rails db config file, I give user name as 'root' and its password and host as 'localhost'. My rails server and Mysql server are running on the same machine.
But recently I had to do a project in which I had to access the MYSQL server installed at a client site. It is a linux machine. I am not sure of the sql server's version number. To access it I was given a username and password for SSH and the root username and root password of the SQL server also. But for accessing that machine, in the mysql new method I have to specify the ssh login and user-password instead of sql user and password. I cant access the DB if I give the MySql root user and password. So, mysql.new(machine's public IP, ssh login id, ssh login password, db_name) works whereaes mysql.new(machine's public IP, 'root, root password, db_name) does not work. I am not sure, I understand what is happening. So, my question is can anyone explain this login behavior? Why cant I access the mysql server with the sql server's root login and root password.