How to create a Database via your panel

Some plugins, mods, and game-specific tools require a MySQL or MariaDB database. The panel can create and manage one for your server on our game server hosting plans, with no manual MySQL administration needed.

Databases are switched off until you ask for one

Servers ship with a database allowance of 0, so the Databases tab starts out reading "Databases cannot be created for this server" with no Create Database button. That is normal, and it is not something you buy: open a ticket telling us which plugin needs a database and we will raise the allowance on your server. Do the rest of this guide once that is done.

When You Need a Database

Common cases:

• Minecraft: Plugins like LuckPerms (when configured for MySQL), DiscordSRV (logs), EssentialsX (large servers)
• Rust: Some advanced plugins (Server Rewards persistence, custom auction houses)
• Project Zomboid: Whitelist storage or persistent data plugins
• Unturned (RocketMod): Many plugins use MySQL for cross-server data; see Install RocketMod and OpenMod on Unturned
• CS2 / TF2 (SourceMod): Stat trackers, web admin tools like SourceBans++
• FiveM: ESX and QBCore frameworks both need MySQL (though typically set up directly on your dedicated machine, not via panel)

If your plugin or mod's docs ask for database credentials, you need one.

Creating a Database

1. Open your server in the panel.

2. Click the Databases tab in the sidebar.

3. Click Create Database.

4. Fill in:

   • Database Name: A descriptive name (e.g., luckperms, serverstats). The panel may auto-prefix with your server's ID.
   • Connections from: The IPs allowed to connect. % allows any (usually fine). Restrict to specific IPs for tighter security.

5. Click Create Database.

The panel creates the database, generates a random username and password, and displays the connection details.

Connection Details

After creation, the Databases tab shows:

• Host: The MySQL server address. It is the node your server runs on, so it looks like your-node.gameserverkings.com and differs from server to server — always copy the exact value shown here rather than typing one from a guide.
• Port: Usually 3306
• Database Name: The full name with prefix (e.g., s1234_luckperms)
• Username: Auto-generated (e.g., u1234_abcdefghij)
• Password: Click Show Password to reveal

Save these credentials

You'll paste them into your plugin or mod's config file.

Using the Connection in a Plugin

Most plugins want a connection string or individual fields. Examples:

LuckPerms (Minecraft) config.yml

storage-method: mysql

data:
  address: your-node.gameserverkings.com:3306
  database: s1234_luckperms
  username: u1234_abcdefghij
  password: YOUR_PASSWORD

EssentialsX MySQL Config

mysql:
  enabled: true
  host: your-node.gameserverkings.com
  port: 3306
  database: s1234_essentials
  username: u1234_abcdefghij
  password: YOUR_PASSWORD

Generic Connection URI

mysql://u1234_abcdefghij:[email protected]:3306/s1234_luckperms

Important

After updating the config, restart the server (or reload the plugin) for the connection to apply.

Connecting Externally with a SQL Client

To inspect or back up the database manually:

1. Install HeidiSQL (Windows), TablePlus (Mac/Windows), or DBeaver (cross-platform).

2. Create a new connection with the panel's database credentials.

3. Connect.

You can now run SQL queries, view tables, export data, etc.

This is also how you'd take a manual database backup:

-- Run via your SQL client's Export menu, or via command line:
mysqldump -h your-node.gameserverkings.com -P 3306 -u u1234_abcdefghij -p s1234_luckperms > backup.sql

Rotating the Password

If the password leaks or a sub-user with access leaves:

1. In the Databases tab, click ... next to the database.

2. Click Rotate Password.

3. A new password is generated. Update your plugin configs with the new value.

Deleting a Database

To clean up:

1. Backup the data first if you might want it later. Once deleted, the database and all its tables are gone permanently.

2. In the Databases tab, click ... > Delete.

3. Confirm.

Best Practices

• One database per major plugin (don't share databases across plugins unless they explicitly support it)
• Restrict connection IPs when possible (e.g., only your server's IP and your home IP for admin tools)
• Back the database up with mysqldump before any major change. A panel backup snapshots your server's own files and does not include the MySQL database — the database lives on a separate host, so it is not in the archive
• Document your databases (which plugin uses which database) in your team's notes
• Rotate passwords if any team member with access leaves

Limits

Your allowance is set per server by us and starts at 0. It is not part of what you buy: no amount of vCores, RAM, storage or location changes it, and there is no plan or tier that includes databases.

Once you have an allowance, the Databases tab shows where you stand — "1 of 2 databases have been allocated to this server." The Create Database button disappears once you are at the limit.

To get an allowance, or a larger one, open a ticket and say which plugin needs it. Consolidating plugins onto fewer databases is also worth considering where the plugins explicitly support sharing.

Common Issues

• Plugin says "cannot connect": Confirm the host, port, and username are exactly right. Watch for stray spaces.
• Connection works locally but not from the server: The plugin's config may be using localhost. Change to the actual host from the Databases tab.
• "Access denied for user": Password is wrong or contains a special character that needs escaping. Rotate the password and try again.
• "Too many connections": Some plugins open many connections; check the plugin's pool settings. Usually maxConnections: 10 is plenty.

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