> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/clientserver-protocol/1-connecting.md).

# 1 - Connecting

{% columns %}
{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/LPK68lkzFtYNpYXfCIbl" %}
[Connecting](/docs/server/reference/clientserver-protocol/1-connecting/connection.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
The connection phase involves an initial handshake where the client and server exchange capabilities, default settings, and authentication data to establish a session.
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

{% columns %}
{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/Y8edLsFdNgev1ZIJZIQS" %}
[Connecting via sha256\_password](/docs/server/reference/clientserver-protocol/1-connecting/sha256_password-plugin.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
The sha256\_password plugin manages authentication using SHA-256 encryption, supporting both clear text passwords over SSL and RSA encrypted password exchange.
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

{% columns %}
{% column %}
{% content-ref url="/pages/A1lChfQEQk2ogKVQd31c" %}
[Connecting via caching\_sha2\_password](/docs/server/reference/clientserver-protocol/1-connecting/caching_sha2_password-authentication-plugin.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %}
This plugin implements the caching\_sha2\_password authentication method, using an in-memory cache for fast authentication or RSA encryption for full verification.
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}