Connecting MySQL Workbench to MySQL Running in Docker

MySQL by default imposes connection restrictions for security reasons. To allow for external connections, such as from MySQL Workbench, specific modifications are required.

Connection Setup

1. Start the MySQL Docker image with the required port mappings, for example:

docker run -p 3306:3306 --name=mysql57 -d mysql/mysql-server:5.7

2. Obtain the default password if it's a fresh installation:

docker logs mysql57 2>&1 | grep GENERATED

3. Connect to the mysqld in Docker using the mysql client:

docker exec -it mysql57 mysql -uroot -p

4. Change the password and run the following SQL statement:

update mysql.user set host = '%' where user='root';

5. Quit the mysql client and restart the Docker container:

docker restart mysql57

Workbench Connection

You can now connect to MySQL from MySQL Workbench using the following parameters:

• Host: 0.0.0.0
• Port: 3306

After these modifications, the connection restrictions will be lifted, allowing access to MySQL from external hosts, including MySQL Workbench.