Separate The Layers
Check host reachability, port access, credentials, SSL or SSH settings, and schema defaults one at a time.
Changing several layers at once usually creates false confidence instead of a real fix.
Test With The Smallest Viable Connection
Use the simplest possible connection profile first. If that works, add SSH, SSL, or alternative schemas incrementally.
Record What Changed
When a connection starts failing after it previously worked, capture exactly what changed: network path, credentials, hostnames, driver behavior, or database-side access rules.