Multi-environment database config being ignored

Question

The 'localhost' array is not being recognized. If I add :3307 to the '*' array's server attribute, it works. Here's the contents of my db.php:

return array(

  '*' => array(
    'server' => 'localhost',
    'user' => 'av01759',
    'password' => '*******',
    'database' => 'av01759_maltaministries',
    'tablePrefix' => 'craft',
  ),

  'localhost' => array(
    'server' => 'localhost:3307'
  )

);

This a fresh Craft install with no tweaks. Any ideas?

Answer 1

The environment-specific array that Craft uses is determined by the $_SERVER['SERVER_NAME'] variable (usuall your domain name), not the database hostname. Instead of using localhost to trigger the env-specific settings, you should use your domain. Your db.php should looks more like this:

return array(

  // default
  '*' => array(
    'server' => 'localhost',
    'user' => 'av01759',
    'password' => '*******',
    'database' => 'av01759_maltaministries',
    'tablePrefix' => 'craft',
  ),

  // production-specific (use your domain instead of example.com)
  'example.com' => array(
    'server' => 'localhost:3307'
  )

);

UPDATE: Since in this case, $_SERVER['SERVER_NAME'] actually is "localhost" for you and I understand you are connecting to a remote db, you could try using this for your db.php (swapped the value for server in my above example, this way you make the exception for production).

return array(

  // default
  '*' => array(
    'server' => 'localhost:3307',
    'user' => 'av01759',
    'password' => '*******',
    'database' => 'av01759_maltaministries',
    'tablePrefix' => 'craft',
  ),

  // production-specific
  'production-site-domain-here.com' => array(
    'server' => 'localhost'
  )

);

Answer 2

This issue may be that your database name, prefix, password, etc are different on your local machine, than the ArcusTech server. If your local values don't match the values in the block defined with the asterisk, you won't be able to connect.

Most local databases with tools like MAMP, use a default user and password like 'root'. Try to look into some of these values, or post more info about your local setup.

Answer 3

If you're using MAMP you might also want to try using ".dev" or ".dv" for your array like so in your general.php config file:

'.dev' => array(
     'devMode' => true,
),

Versus using localhost.

UPDATED Local / Live General.php file setup:

return array(
    '*' => array(
        'cpTrigger' => 'admin',
        'omitScriptNameInUrls' => true,
        'defaultFolderPermissions' => 0755,
        'phpMaxMemoryLimit' => '1024M',
        'useCompressedJs' => true,
        'useEmailAsUsername' => true,
        'autominEnabled' => true,
        'autominCachingEnabled' => true,
        'autominMinifyEnabled' => true,
    ),
    '.dev' => array(
        'devMode' => true,
        'environmentVariables' => array(
            'siteUrl' => 'http://www.DOMAINNAME.dev/',
            'basePath' => 'LOCAL PATH',
            'autominPublicRoot' => basePath,
            'autominCachePath' => basePath.'cache',
            'autominCacheURL' => '/cache',
        )
    ),
    '.com' => array(
        'devMode' => false,
        'environmentVariables' => array(
            'siteUrl' => 'http://www.DOMAINANME.COM/',
            'basePath' => 'SERVER BASE PATH',
            'autominPublicRoot' => basePath,
            'autominCachePath' => basePath.'cache',
            'autominCacheURL' => '/cache',
        )
    )
);

Answer 4

When you are accessing a database "from a distance", it won't be called "localhost". Having the port in there is probably helpful, but you'll want to specify the DB server by its IP address.

'localhost' => array(
  'server' => '(DB IP address):3307'
)

Also, be sure that your server database is allowing remote access. By default, most DBs will only allow access to their local files.

Answer 5

Another option is to use named environments instead of using domain matching.

in your index.php file, just set (changing 'development' to whatever you like):

define('CRAFT_ENVIRONMENT', 'development');

Then your environmental config array can use "development" as a key, instead of localhost or .dev

Answer 6

Well, I can't really mark any of these as the answer, and I have no clue what actually did it, the config simply started working. I restarted all services and my machine many times during this process, so it was nothing quite so simple. I guess this is what I get for developing on a Windows machine. I considered deleting the question, but there's some valuable troubleshooting in the answers, so better to leave it live.

Answer 7

'localhost' is simply not recognized when using as a domain-specific db config block. You have to use the general '*'-block when serving your site via http://localhost/

Answer 8

This boils down to being either one of two things...

• A database connection error, or
• An environment detection error.

You seem very convinced that the database connection info is perfect, so let's explore the possibility of an environment detection error.

Please conduct this test... Edit your craft/config/general.php file, and add this configuration:

return array(

  '*' => array(),

  'localhost' => array(
    'devMode' => true
  )

);

Now login to your Craft control panel... Do you see the yellow-striped "caution tape" at the top of your control panel?

If the answer is "yes", then your environment detection is working perfectly. Therefore, you have a database connection error.

If the answer is "no", then you have an environment detection error. If this is the case, please answer this question:

Exactly what URL do you use to view your website on your local machine?