title: Cannot connect to MySQL instance on server 1 from Apache in server 2
body: <p>I have a MySQL server (Centos 6.7) which is hosting my database. 
  This is a production server and there are several vb.net apps throughout the business which connect to it, as well as some other internal-only sites hosted on the MySQL box itself.</p>
  
  <p>I have a web server (Centos 6.7) which is hosting an external site. 
  This site needs to talk to the MySQL server, which I am trying to achieve via MySQLi, however no matter what I try, all I keep getting is </p>
  
  <pre><code> Can't connect to MySQL server on '[MY-MYSQL-SVR-HOSTNAME]'
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I have made sure that MySQL is running - It is. </p>
  
  <p>I have flushed the firewall rules and even disabled the firewall, so that shouldnt be interfering. </p>
  
  <p>I have made sure the user I am connecting as has the appropriate permissions to connect from % (any host), which is does.</p>
  
  <p>I have also made sure that the mysqli module for PHP is installed and good to go.</p>
  
  <p>I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to try next; any help is appriciated. </p>