[danvollans]

Based on the settings you chose, or whoever installed it on your server, there is an option to allow remote connections to the database. I’m assuming you’re using mysql for your database. The most probable cause is that either you’re running a firewall that is blocking port 3306 (default port) or you just simply don’t have remote access set up.

http://www.debianhelp.co.uk/remotemysql.htm

That is a fairly straight-forward and decent guide to setting up mysql for remote access. If you have any questions you can ask me and I’ll do my best to help!