::: in your database.yml
# stuff common to several databases
login: &login
  adapter: mysql
  username: fad
  password: fad
  host: localhost

fad_2007:
  <<: *login
  database: fad_2007

development:
  <<: *login
  database: fad_development

test:
  <<: *login
  database: fad2_test

production:
  <<: *login
  database: fad2_production

# Exernal Database Connection, through SSL
grumpy:
  adapter: mysql
  host: grumpy.msu.montana.edu
  username: some_username
  password: a_delicious_password
  database: external_datbase_name
  sslca: /Users/mongrel/SSL/ca-cert.pem
  sslkey: /Users/mongrel/SSL/client-key.pem
  sslcert: /Users/mongrel/SSL/client-cert.pem

::: Then in your Model
class UdarCourse < ActiveRecord::Base
  establish_connection :grumpy
  # for some reason, setting table names explicitly on external connections
  # resolved problems I was having.
  set_table_name "udar_courses"

end