**To describe a DB instance**

The following ``describe-db-instances`` example retrieves details about the specified DB instance. ::

    aws rds describe-db-instances \
        --db-instance-identifier test-instance

Output::

    {
        "DBInstance": {
            "DBInstanceIdentifier": "test-instance",
            "DBInstanceClass": "db.m1.small",
            "Engine": "mysql",
            "DBInstanceStatus": "available",
            "MasterUsername": "myawsuser",
            "Endpoint": {
                "Address": "test-instance.cdgmuqiadpid.us-east-1.rds.amazonaws.com",
                "Port": 3306,
                "HostedZoneId": "Z2R2ITUGPM61AM"
            },
            ...some output truncated...
        }
    }