We may receive a warning when the number of simultaneous connections exceeds the AWS RDS parameter group max_allowed_packet.

With this parameter, we can restrict client use of MySQL server resources by setting it to a nonzero value.

Here, at Bobcares, we assist our customers with several AWS queries as part of our AWS Support Services.

Let us discuss how to modify this parameter to fix this error.

AWS RDS parameter group max_allowed_packet

When the number of simultaneous connections exceeds the AWS RDS parameter group max_allowed_packet, we come across:

“Warning: mysql_connect(): User xxxxxxxx already has more than ‘max_user_connections’ active connections”

The AWS RDS parameter limits the number of simultaneous connections a specific account can make. The default value is 0, which doesn’t limit simultaneous connections for the specified account.

To fix the warning, we need to create a new parameter group and associate it with the DB instance or modify the parameter in the parameter group.

Moving ahead, our Support Techs discuss both these methods.

Method 1: Create a DB parameter group

We can use the AWS Management Console to create a new DB parameter group.

1. Firstly, we sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the Amazon RDS console.
2. In the navigation pane, we select Databases, then we choose the DB instance to modify.
3. When we select Modify, the Modify DB Instance page appears.
4. Here, we change the DB parameter group setting.
5. Then we select, Continue and check the summary of modifications.
6. On the confirmation page, we can review the changes.
7. Once done, we choose Modify DB instance to save the changes.
8. In case it requires any changes, we select Back to edit or Cancel to cancel the changes.

Method 2: Modify the parameter

We can modify parameter values in a customer-created DB parameter group. However, we can’t change values in a default parameter group.

The changes we make applies to all DB instances that associate with the DB parameter group.

1. We sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the Amazon RDS console.
2. In the navigation pane, we choose Parameter Groups.
3. In the list, we select the parameter group to modify.
4. Then for Parameter group actions, we select Edit.
5. Change the value of “max_allowed_packet” as per the requirement.
6. Once done, we click, Save changes.

[Need help to create or modify? We’d be happy to assist]

Conclusion

In short, we saw how our Support Techs create and modify the AWS RDS parameter.