Command
aws rds describe-db-instancesExplanation
Retrieves metadata about all RDS database instances, including status, endpoint, engine type, and configuration.
Common Use Cases
- •Auditing available RDS databases
- •Checking instance endpoints and connection details
- •Verifying backup or replication configuration
Best Practices
- ✓Use `--query` and `--output table` for better readability
- ✓Filter output by tags or identifiers for large deployments
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠Not setting the correct AWS region
- ⚠Missing IAM permissions for `rds:DescribeDBInstances`
Troubleshooting
Problem: Empty result set
Solution: Ensure RDS instances exist in the selected region.
Problem: Access denied
Solution: Add `rds:DescribeDBInstances` permission to your IAM role.
Examples
List all RDS instances in the current region
aws rds describe-db-instancesDescribe a specific RDS instance
aws rds describe-db-instances --db-instance-identifier mydb