How do I connect to MySQL Database online from my Desktop Application

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VB

Hi guys,

I need urgent help on how to connect to mySQL database of my office website from a desktop application.

The affected part of my code snippet used is as listed below:

Imports System.IO
Imports Microsoft
Imports MySql
Imports MySql.Data.MySqlClient

Public Sub InitialiseAPP()
        Static loginTrial As Integer
        
        Try

            loginTrial += 1
            strDB_Connection = strDB_Database & ";" & strDB_DataSource & ";" & strDB_UserAuthentication
            connMySQL.ConnectionString = strDB_Connection
            cInsertUpdate.ConnectionString = strDB_Connection

            If connMySQL.State = ConnectionState.Open Then connMySQL.Close()

            connMySQL.Open()

            If connMySQL.State = ConnectionState.Open Then
                connMySQL.Close()
                If (strDB_DataSource <> My.Settings.DB_DataSource) _
                    Or (strDB_Database <> My.Settings.DB_Database) _
                    Or (strDB_UserName <> My.Settings.DB_UserID) _
                    Or (strDB_UserPassword <> My.Settings.DB_Password) Then
                    My.Settings.DB_DataSource = strDB_DataSource
                    My.Settings.DB_Database = strDB_Database
                    My.Settings.DB_UserID = strDB_UserName
                    My.Settings.DB_Password = strDB_UserPassword
                    My.Settings.Save()
                    My.Settings.Upgrade()
                End If
            End If
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox("Error #" & Err.Number & vbCrLf & ex.Message, MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, "Database Connection Error")
            If loginTrial > 3 Then
                MsgBox("Please contact administrator for access" & vbCrLf _
                        & "Application terminated!", MsgBoxStyle.Critical, "Intrusion Alert!")
                End
            End If

            GetNewDataSourceConnection(strDB_DataSource, strDB_Database, strDB_UserName, strDB_UserPassword)
            strDB_UserAuthentication = strDB_UserName & ";" & strDB_UserPassword
            If strDB_DataSource <> "" Then
                InitialiseAPP()
            End If
        End Try

    End Sub

    Public Sub GetNewDataSourceConnection(ByRef strDataSource As String, ByRef strDBName As String, ByRef strDBUserName As String, ByRef strDBPassWord As String)
        'GetNewDataSourceConnection = ""
        Try
            With DB_Connect
                .ShowDialog()
                strDataSource = .pstrServerAddress
                strDBName = .pstrDBName
                strDBUserName = .pstrUserName
                strDBPassWord = .pstrServerPassword
            End With
        Catch ex As Exception

        End Try

    End Sub

The DB_Connect in the GetNewDataSourceConnection() subroutine is a form where all parameter relating to the database are entered.
If I try localhost in the "Data Source" it will connect without stress but if I try to connect through our site "IP Address" I get the error below:
"Error 91: Object reference not set to an instance of an object"
If I try using the site address i.e. https//mysubdomain.mysite.edu, I get the following error
"Error #5: Unable to connect to any of the specified MySQL hosts"
With the last error, I have the conviction that connecting to the "IP address" is the best but how to address the missing link is my challenge.
I need urgent help please!!!!!!!