Getting server ready for mysql

[Emilio]

Hello,

This is the first time I will be using a server for only mysql.

The server has CentOS 5 installed.

What else do I need to install? I just installed mysql with the yum command. I need apache right?

Anything else?

What is the best way to take an existing database from another server and put it on this server? Then how do I make so that the site on web server is able to connect to the database on the mysql server?

What security measures do I need to take?

Thank you!

[phranque]

What else do I need to install? I just installed mysql with the yum command. I need apache right?

only if you are also running a web server there.
the mysql server access from your web server is not using the http port or protocol.

Anything else?

ftp server

What is the best way to take an existing database from another server and put it on this server?

mysqldump, ftp the sql file, load into database

Then how do I make so that the site on web server is able to connect to the database on the mysql server?

this will show you how to connect from the command line but to connect from your script on the web server you will have to look at the documentation for the api you are using:
MySQL :: MySQL 5.1 Reference Manual :: 4.2.2 Connecting to the MySQL Server [dev.mysql.com]

What security measures do I need to take?

MySQL 5.0 Reference Manual :: 5.3 General Security Issues [dev.mysql.com]

[graeme_p]

ftp server

Unless you and the server are on a completely trusted local network, install ssh instead of ftp.

It gives you a secure command line and secure file transfers (using sftp or rsync).

What security measures do I need to take?

One thing you need is to have a firewall configured so only your webserver can connect to MySQL remotely, and the only other open port is ssh.