Cannot connect to AWS RDS database using SQL Workbench

Question

I am trying to connect to a free AWS RDS PostgreSQL database I created using SQL Workbench/J, I am following the instructions provided from AWS.

When I get to the end of Step 4, connecting to the PostgreSQL database, I keep receiving this error:

The connection attempt failed. [SQL State=08001]

I am using a Mac.

Answer 1

I fixed this by adding an Inbound connection rule for the database. From the AWS RDS portal goto: databases -> <your_database>. Then scroll down and ensure the 'Connectivity & security' tab is chosen. Scroll down to 'Security group rules' then follow the link for the 'EC2 Security Group - Inbound' rule. On this page, select the 'Inbound rules' tab and select the 'Edit inbound rules' button. Select 'Add Rule', the type for me was PostgreSQL, protocol TCP, I used the port the database instance is supposed to operate on (found on the AWS RDS - Connectivity & security tab for the particular database) -- i.e. 5432. Next, for Source open the drop down menu and choose 'My IP', then save changes. That was it for me.