Connect to MySQL via SSH Tunnel

I have set up a MySQL server and want to connect to it from different machines.  However, I do not want to open it up to the public.  To secure my connection, I will not allow external connections to the MySQL server.  I will simply set up a SSH tunnel and connect to it that way.  My local MySQL commands are forwarded to the remote host.

Assumptions:

1. You can SSH into the remote host.
2. If you are like me, you are not running a MySQL on your local host.

Setting up the SSH tunnel:

1. ssh -f -L 3306:localhost:3306 user@host -N
2. Enter password:

Connect to MySQL

1. mysql -h 127.0.0.1 -u user -p
2. Enter password:

You should be see the MySQL prompt.

mysql>