Google app engine Cloud SQL connection error

[David Wiesenfeld]

I have an App Engine App that uses a Cloud SQL database for storing some data. I have a cron job that runs a bunch of data gathering code at 1am, and it's failing with the error:

OperationalError: (1045, "Access denied for user 'root'@'localhost' (using password: NO)")

If I go to the Google Developers Console and set the password for root@localhost to "" (ie open the change password dialog, hit OK without entering anything in the password field), the job that the cron job points to finishes without a hitch. SQL access will then work for the rest of the day.

But the next cron job the following day will fail with the same error.

It seems like the root@localhost password is being reset to something at some point during the night. Anybody have any idea what's going on?

Thanks!

[Patrice (Cloud Platform Support)]

Hi David,

Normally on such a thread, I'd suggest you to go to Stack Overflow with your question, as Google groups are more appropriate for open-ended discussions then specific questions about how to use the platform. Since we monitor Stack Overflow for our tags, you're not losing any visibility, you're actually gaining some extra answerers.

I noticed a very similar question to yours here on Stack (I assume with the username it is you who crossposted). I also see an answer by someone from the community explaining the best practices and what should be done. The tips given are extremely valid and in par with what I would've suggested myself. Our docs state clearly that root should not be used for connectivity, and since your instance has public IPs that can be pinged, anyone trying to go in will be able to within a couple of tries if you don't have any kind of password on it. I would suggest setting up a password for your root to make sure this is secure, and using another account (again with a secure password) to connect onto your instance.

Cheers!