Connecting to remote MySQL server using PHP

I am attempting to connect to a remote MySQL server from my local machine virtualhost using the following code:

$conn = mysql_connect("$dbhost", "$dbuser", "$dbpass") or die(mysql_error());
        mysql_select_db($dbname, $conn) or die(mysql_error());

My problem is that I am unable to connect locally, receiving the error:

Can't connect to MySQL server on 'xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx' (10060)

This is not the case when I upload the same PHP file to the server. I am able to query the database with no problems at all.

I am unable to connect via command line either, but I can access cPanel which rules out the chance of my IP being banned accidentally.

My local server is running PHP 5.2.9, the remote server 5.2.12

• firewall of the server must be set-up to enable incomming connections on port 3306
• you must have a user in MySQL who is allowed to connect from % (any host) (see manual for details)

The current problem is the first one, but right after you resolve it you will likely get the second one.