.net and mysql

Hi All,

Im wanting some general advise about the best/preferred way to exchange information with a mysql database.

The 2 I see being the most predominant are

-MySql Connector
-Using PHP to POST data and retreive data

I have used MySql Connector in tests but have to generally add exceptions to the IP range and really dont know how secure either way would be.

Any pros/cons on these or even other ways this can be done?

Also I should note there would be 2 different senarios, 1, checking weather product is valid, simple check stored username and retrieve yes or no, the other is a backup of the programs database. both are separate from each other.

Thanx