Connect Bold Reports to OLAP Databases StarRocks & ClickHouse via MySQL
Bold Reports supports connectivity to modern OLAP databases such as StarRocks and ClickHouse by using the built-in MySQL data connector.
Why the MySQL Connector Works
Both ClickHouse and StarRocks implement a MySQL wire-protocol endpoint. As a result, MySQL clients, including the Bold Reports MySQL data source, can connect without requiring a native driver.
Default Ports:
- ClickHouse:
9004 - StarRocks:
9030
MySQL Connector in Bold Reports
Prerequisites
Before creating a data source, ensure that:
- Bold Reports Server or Designer is installed.
- Your StarRocks or ClickHouse instance is running.
- You have the following connection details:
- Server host name or IP address
- Port number
- Database name
- Username and password
- The database MySQL interface is enabled:
- ClickHouse MySQL interface → Port
9004 - StarRocks MySQL protocol → Port
9030(FE query port)
- ClickHouse MySQL interface → Port
ClickHouse — MySQL Interface
Explains the MySQL wire protocol and port exposure.
Connect Bold Reports to ClickHouse
ClickHouse provides a MySQL wire-protocol endpoint on port 9004, which can be used by Business Intelligence tools. This allows Bold Reports to connect using the MySQL data connector.
Steps to Configure the Connection
- Open Data Sources in Bold Reports.
- Select Add Data Source → MySQL.
- Enter the required connection details.
Example Connection Settings for ClickHouse
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | ClickHouse |
| Server Name | 127.0.0.1 |
| Port | 9004 |
| Username | boldreports |
| Password | Bold@123 |
| Database | boldreports_ch |
Sample Query
SELECT * FROM employees;
Expected Output Example
| ID | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alison |
| 2 | Bobby |
StarRocks - Quick Start / SQL over MySQL protocol
Explains how to connect using MySQL-compatible clients through port9030.
Connect Bold Reports to StarRocks
StarRocks exposes a MySQL-compatible frontend on port 9030, enabling seamless connectivity through the MySQL connector.
Steps to Configure the Connection
- Create a new MySQL data source.
- Enter the required connection details.
Example Connection Settings for StarRocks
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | StarRocks |
| Server Name | 127.0.0.1 |
| Port | 9030 |
| Username | boldreportsuser |
| Password | Bold@123 |
| Database | boldreports_sr |
Sample Query
SELECT * FROM employees;
Example Output
| ID | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alice |
| 2 | Bob |
Troubleshooting
- Connection Refused on ClickHouse Port 9004
Ensure that the MySQL interface is enabled and listening on port 9004. Some deployments may require explicitly setting the following configuration:
<mysql_port>9004</mysql_port>
Also, verify that the user has permission to connect over the network.
- “Access Denied” When Selecting a Database in StarRocks
Grant permissions at the database scope (or db.*) so tools that specify the database in the connection can list tables successfully.
- Firewall or NAT Restrictions
Ensure the required ports are open between Bold Reports and the database host:
9004for ClickHouse9030for StarRocks
Summary
Bold Reports can seamlessly connect to high-performance OLAP databases such as ClickHouse and StarRocks using the built-in MySQL connector, thanks to their MySQL-compatible interfaces.
After establishing the connection, you can:
- Create datasets
- Execute MySQL-style SQL queries
- Build interactive reports
This approach allows organizations using modern OLAP engines to leverage Bold Reports without requiring custom drivers or additional integrations.
