Amazon RDS - Creating an Amazon RDS DB Instance

Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS) is a managed database service that simplifies the process of setting up, operating, and scaling relational databases in the cloud. It provides resizable capacity at a cost-effective price while handling routine database administration tasks.

A DB instance is the fundamental building block of Amazon RDS. It serves as an isolated database environment within the AWS Cloud, allowing users to create and manage multiple databases in a single instance. You can create and modify a DB instance using:

• AWS Management Console
• AWS CLI (Command Line Interface)
• Amazon RDS API

Supported Database Engines

Amazon RDS supports five major database engines:

1. MySQL
2. MariaDB
3. PostgreSQL
4. Oracle
5. Microsoft SQL Server

Each database engine comes with unique features and parameters managed through DB parameter groups that control its behavior.

Steps to Create a Amazon RDS DB instance

Follow these steps to create an RDS DB instance using the AWS Management Console.

Step 1: Access the RDS Dashboard

• Log in to your AWS Management Console.
• Navigate to the Amazon RDS dashboard.
• Click on Create Database to start the setup process.

Step 2: Select a Database Engine

• Choose the Standard database creation method.

• Select the MySQL database engine (or any other engine based on your requirements).

• Select the version of the MySQL that you want to use.

Step 3: Choose a Deployment Option

Under the Templates section, AWS offers three deployment options:

• Production – Suitable for high-performance applications.
• Dev/Test – Ideal for development and testing environments.
• Free Tier – Best for beginners and small-scale projects.

We will opt for Free tier.

Step 4: Configure Database Settings

• Set the DB instance identifier (e.g., geeksDemo).
• Enter a Master username (e.g., admin).
• Choose a strong password for database access.

Step 5: Select an Instance Type

• The db.t2.micro instance type is automatically selected under the Free Tier.
• If needed, choose an instance that fits your workload.

Step 6: Finalize and Create the Database

• Click Create Database to launch the instance.

In the above image, we see that a MySQL database named geeksdemo has been created. 

Conclusion

Amazon RDS makes database management seamless by automating tasks like backups, patching, and scaling. Whether you're running a production-grade application or experimenting in a development environment, RDS provides a reliable and efficient way to manage relational databases in the cloud.