Connect to SphinxQL through Linux command-line
the 'mysql' client, will totally ignore the -P param, if it detects mysql is running on a unix-socket. So really even though you ask for the sphinxQL port, you are connecting to mysql
Use
mysql -P9306 --protocol=tcpto tell the client to ignore the socket.
Pro Tip:
mysql -P9306 --protocol=tcp --prompt='sphinxQL> 'which serves as a useful ongoing reminder you are connected to sphinx not mysql :)
I ran into this recently. I was able to get in to Sphinx via the mysql shell by commenting out the listen configuration that didn't specify MySQL. This may not work for you, if you still need to get to searchd via the API.