Got a database on a webserver and a local copy. I want to copy from the remote database into the local database. Actually there can be many local copies.

( disregarding the subject of replication for a moment )

Can this be done inside SQL ?
I know you can copy between databases like this:

SELECT * FROM database1.tableX
INTO database2.tableX;

but this is when the databases are located on the same MySQL server.
Is there an equivalent syntax with a remote database ?

SELECT * FROM serverA.database1.tableX
INTO serverB.database2.tableX;


Is there an alternative method to achieve the same thing but staying inside the world of MySQL, inside SQL, procedures, scripts, etc... ? I know i can write an application to do it ( read from one DB and insert into the other) and i know about replication but they add another layer to the overall system both in terms of development and maintenance that i'd like to avoid.

Could someone who actually knows for sure confirm that this:

SELECT * FROM serverA.database1.tableX
INTO serverB.database2.tableX;

cannot be done, in whatever form, inside MySQL.
( or if it can be done then HOW ??? )

You can only do that through an application or MySQL replication.

Please.