Read mysql config (my.cnf) using mysql console

I have a mysql server that is not under my control (I don't have ssh on that machine). I only have access to one database using mysql client.

How can I have access to config options that are declared in my.cnf?

Depending on how your access was implemented, you may be able to look at my.cnf with the \! command.

mysql> pager less
mysql> \! cat /etc/mysql/my.cnf
....
mysql> nopager

If you want to know what variables are actually running on the server, look at SHOW GLOBAL VARIABLES

mysql> SHOW GLOBAL VARIABLES;

StackExchange Database Administrators Q#14807, answer score: 4