> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://playground.e107sk.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://playground.e107sk.com/alt-auth-plugin/admin-area/otherdb.md).

# Other database

**Configure otherdb** (`OTHERDB_LAN_10`) — `otherdb_conf.php`

Authenticate against the user table of **any other MySQL application** (a forum, a shop, a legacy in-house system). You tell the plugin which table and which two columns hold the login name and the password, and which [password format](/alt-auth-plugin/reference/password-formats.md) that application uses.

Help text on the page: *"This authentication method is used to validate against a non-E107 database. The password must be stored in one of the supported formats."* (`LAN_AUTHENTICATE_HELP`)

## Connection

| Field               | LAN key         | Notes                                                                                                                                                        |
| ------------------- | --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Database type       | `LAN_ALT_26`    | Only *MySQL - generic database* (`OTHERDB_LAN_15`) exists.                                                                                                   |
| Server              | `LAN_ALT_32`    | Host name or IP of the foreign MySQL server.                                                                                                                 |
| Port                | `LAN_ALT_80`    | Help text: *eg. 3306*. Blank means 3306.                                                                                                                     |
| Username            | `LAN_ALT_33`    | A database account that may **read** the user table (and, if outbound sync is on, insert into it).                                                           |
| Password            | `LAN_ALT_34`    | Stored in the site's database — see [Security](/alt-auth-plugin/reference/security.md).                                                                      |
| Database            | `LAN_ALT_35`    | Name of the foreign database.                                                                                                                                |
| Table               | `LAN_ALT_36`    | The table holding the accounts.                                                                                                                              |
| Username Field      | `LAN_ALT_37`    | Column with the login name.                                                                                                                                  |
| Password Field      | `LAN_ALT_38`    | Column with the password hash.                                                                                                                               |
| Password salt field | `LAN_ALT_24`    | Help: *(sometimes combined with password for added security)*. Leave blank if the format has no separate salt column.                                        |
| Password Method     | `OTHERDB_LAN_9` | Which hashing scheme the foreign application uses. The full list is available here — see [Password formats](/alt-auth-plugin/reference/password-formats.md). |

## Field transfer

The second table on the page (`LAN_ALT_27`) is a **text box per field**: you enter the *column name in the foreign table* that should be copied into the matching e107 column. Leave a box empty to transfer nothing. Username and password are always transferred.

Available for `otherdb`: email, hide-email, display name, real name, signature, avatar, photo. Class membership, ban status, join date and custom title are **not** offered for this method.

See [Field mapping](/alt-auth-plugin/reference/field-mapping.md).

## Outbound sync

`otherdb` is the only method that also supports writing back — see [Main configuration](/alt-auth-plugin/admin-area/main-configuration.md) and [How login works](/alt-auth-plugin/getting-started/how-login-works.md#4-optional-creating-the-user-in-the-other-direction).