RDS supported engines in AWS - Commands & Configuration

Introduction

Amazon RDS lets you run databases in the cloud without managing hardware. It supports several popular database engines so you can pick the one that fits your needs.

When you want to run a MySQL database without setting up servers.

When you need a PostgreSQL database managed by AWS for easier backups.

When you want to use Oracle database features but avoid hardware maintenance.

When you prefer SQL Server for your applications but want cloud scalability.

When you want a fast, scalable NoSQL database using Amazon Aurora.

Commands

This command lists all the database engines supported by Amazon RDS so you can see your options.

Terminal

aws rds describe-db-engine-versions --query 'DBEngineVersions[].Engine' --output text | sort | uniq

Expected Output

aurora

aurora-mysql

aurora-postgresql

mariadb

mysql

oracle-ee

oracle-se2

postgres

sqlserver-ee

sqlserver-se

sqlserver-ex

sqlserver-web

→

--query - Filters the output to show only the engine names.

→

--output - Formats the output as plain text for easy reading.

This command shows the latest version available for the MySQL engine in RDS.

Terminal

aws rds describe-db-engine-versions --engine mysql --query 'DBEngineVersions[0].EngineVersion' --output text

Expected Output

8.0.28

→

--engine - Specifies which database engine to check.

→

--query - Selects the first engine version from the list.

Key Concept

Amazon RDS supports multiple database engines, letting you choose the best one for your application without managing servers.

Common Mistakes

Trying to create an RDS instance with an unsupported engine name.

AWS will reject the request because the engine name is invalid or misspelled.

Use the exact engine names listed by 'aws rds describe-db-engine-versions' command.

Assuming all engines support the same features and versions.

Each engine has different capabilities and version support, which affects compatibility.

Check engine-specific documentation and available versions before choosing.

Summary

Use 'aws rds describe-db-engine-versions' to list supported database engines.

Specify the engine name exactly when creating or managing RDS instances.

Check the latest engine versions to ensure compatibility with your application.

Practice

1. Which of the following database engines is supported by AWS RDS?

easy

A. MySQL

B. MongoDB

C. Cassandra

D. Redis

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall AWS RDS supported engines

   AWS RDS supports popular relational database engines like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, and Aurora.

2. Step 2: Identify which option matches supported engines

   Among the options, only MySQL is a supported RDS engine. MongoDB, Cassandra, and Redis are not supported by RDS but by other AWS services.

3. Final Answer:

   MySQL -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   RDS supports MySQL = A [OK]

Hint: Remember RDS supports relational engines like MySQL, not NoSQL [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing NoSQL databases as RDS engines
• Assuming Redis is supported by RDS
• Thinking Cassandra is supported by RDS

2. Which of the following is the correct way to specify the engine when creating an RDS instance using AWS CLI?

easy

A. --engine mongodb

B. --engine mysql

C. --engine redis

D. --engine cassandra

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand AWS CLI engine parameter

   The AWS CLI uses the parameter --engine to specify the database engine when creating an RDS instance.

2. Step 2: Identify valid engine names

   Valid engine names include mysql, postgres, oracle, sqlserver, aurora. MongoDB, Redis, and Cassandra are not valid for RDS engine parameter.

3. Final Answer:

   --engine mysql -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Correct engine name for MySQL is mysql [OK]

Hint: Use lowercase engine names like mysql, not unsupported ones [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using unsupported engines like mongodb or redis
• Capitalizing engine names incorrectly
• Confusing engine parameter with instance type

3. Given the following AWS CLI command to create an RDS instance:

aws rds create-db-instance --db-instance-identifier mydb --engine postgres --allocated-storage 20 --db-instance-class db.t3.micro --master-username admin --master-user-password secret123

What database engine will this RDS instance use?

medium

A. SQL Server

B. MySQL

C. Oracle

D. PostgreSQL

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the --engine parameter in the command

   The command specifies --engine postgres, which corresponds to PostgreSQL.

2. Step 2: Match engine parameter to database engine

   Postgres is the short name for PostgreSQL, a supported RDS engine.

3. Final Answer:

   PostgreSQL -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   --engine postgres means PostgreSQL [OK]

Hint: Look for --engine value to identify the database engine [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing postgres with MySQL
• Assuming default engine is MySQL
• Ignoring the --engine parameter

4. You tried to create an RDS instance with the command:

aws rds create-db-instance --db-instance-identifier testdb --engine mongo --allocated-storage 20 --db-instance-class db.t3.micro --master-username admin --master-user-password secret123

But it failed. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. The master username is missing

B. The allocated storage is too low

C. The engine name 'mongo' is not supported by RDS

D. The instance class db.t3.micro is invalid

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the engine parameter validity

   The engine parameter is set to 'mongo', which is not a supported RDS engine. MongoDB is not supported by RDS.

2. Step 2: Verify other parameters

   Allocated storage of 20 GB and instance class db.t3.micro are valid. Master username is provided.

3. Final Answer:

   The engine name 'mongo' is not supported by RDS -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Unsupported engine name causes failure [OK]

Hint: Check engine names carefully; unsupported names cause errors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming MongoDB is supported by RDS
• Blaming storage size or instance class incorrectly
• Overlooking the exact error message

5. You want to migrate an on-premises Oracle database to AWS RDS. Which RDS engine should you choose to ensure compatibility and minimal changes?

hard

A. Oracle

B. PostgreSQL

C. Aurora MySQL

D. SQL Server

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the source database engine

   The source is an on-premises Oracle database, so compatibility is key.

2. Step 2: Choose the matching RDS engine

   AWS RDS supports Oracle as a managed engine, which ensures compatibility and minimal changes during migration.

3. Step 3: Consider other options

   Aurora MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server are different engines and would require significant changes.

4. Final Answer:

   Oracle -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Match source engine to RDS engine for smooth migration [OK]

Hint: Pick the same engine type for easy migration [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Aurora MySQL for Oracle migration
• Assuming PostgreSQL is compatible with Oracle
• Ignoring migration compatibility