1&1 CakePHP 1.2 MySQL5.0

I've been working on a website for a client on 1&1 server, and we are
having an issue where cake won't connect to the database server. my
database configuration is as follows:

class DATABASE_CONFIG {
var $default = array(
'driver' => 'mysql',
'persistent' => true,
'host' => 'localhost:/tmp/mysql5.sock',
'login' => 'dboxxxxxxxx',
'password' => 'xxxxxxx',
'database' => 'dbxxxxxxxx',
'prefix' => '',
);
}

Once connecting I get the following errors:

Warning (2): mysql_pconnect() [function.mysql-pconnect]: Can't connect
to local MySQL server through socket '/tmp/mysql5.sock:3306' (2) [CORE/
cake/libs/model/datasources/dbo/dbo_mysql.php, line 376]

The list goes on and on, you can see more of the errors at:
http://dev.qualityprotectioninc.com/

I've contacted 1&1 tech support, that couldn't help, the database is
running and working and can be connected too VIA ssh. Has anyone else
had this issue? This is my first time dealing with this new sock thing
and there is next too nothing on the internet in regards to it and
CakePHP. What there is there I've tried to no avail.