*urgent* can i change db_server to external IP?

[Maxtor]

the default settings.php is this:

$db_server = 'localhost';

can i use an external IP , for example a cloud hosting, that will handle all sql requests? BUT i want this IP to be hidden . also which ports must be open ?

[Illori]

you can use a mysql server that is located wherever you want, a lot of shared servers have mysql on a separate server so an ip address can be used there, and not be noticed by anyone. for information about which ports to open, I suggest you find a mysql forum as they would know more then we would here.

[Maxtor]

i was wondering if i share the loading into 2 machines, will this prevent ddos sql attacks?