# Connecting to `TiDB` Server __*TiDB connection*__ __*zz-BGL*__ + A `TiDB` account is defined in terms of a `username` and the client host(s) from which the user can connect to the server + The account also has a password + For example, using MySQL Client to connect to TiDB server: + **`mysql -u {username} -p {password} -h {tidb_server} -P {tidb_server_port}`** ------------------------------------------------------------- Here we need to distinguish between two addresses (hostname): - One is the address defined in the `mysql.user` table. This address refers to the machine where the user client is connect from. Generally, it does not refer to the `TiDB` server host, so it is called the client address. - The other is the server address (hostname) where the database is located. This is what we need to specify when connecting as shown on the slide as ``.