DB Parameter Groups

How do I choose the right configuration parameters for my DB Instance(s)?

Amazon RDS by default chooses the optimal configuration parameters for your DB Instance taking into account the DB Instance’s compute resource and storage capacity. However, if you want to change them, you can do so using our configuration management APIs. Please note that changing configuration parameters from recommended values can have unintended effects, ranging from degraded performance to system crashes, and should only be attempted by advanced users who wish to assume these risks. For more information on changing parameters, please refer to the Amazon RDS documentation.

What are DB Parameter groups? How are they helpful?

A database parameter group (DB Parameter Group) acts as a “container” for engine configuration values that can be applied to one or more DB Instances. If you create a DB Instance without specifying a DB Parameter Group, a default DB Parameter Group is used. This default group contains engine defaults and Amazon RDS system defaults optimized for the DB Instance you are running. However, if you want your DB Instance to run with your custom-specified engine configuration values, you can simply create a new DB Parameter Group, modify the desired parameters, and modify the DB Instance to use the new DB Parameter Group. Once associated, all DB Instances that use a particular DB Parameter Group get all the parameter updates to that DB Parameter Group. For more information on configuring DB Parameter Groups, go to the the Amazon RDS DB Parameter Group Deployment Guide.

How do I see the current setting for my parameters for a given RDS DB Parameter Group?

You can use the AWS Management Console, Amazon RDS APIs, or Command Line Tools to see information about your DB Parameter Groups and their corresponding parameter settings.