title: connecting to mysql db on amazon rds
body: <p>I am using python's MySQLdb module on a windows 7 machine and trying to connect to a remote database on Amazon RDS (SQL Server Express). Here is the simple connection scheme I am using to establish a connection, but it never works:</p>
  
  <pre><code>import MySQLdb
  
  cnx= {'host': 'dbname.xxxxxxxxxxxx.us-west-1.rds.amazonaws.com',
    'username': 'username',
    'password': 'password',
    'db': 'dbname'}
  
  db = MySQLdb.connect(cnx['host'],cnx['username'],cnx['password'], cnx['db'])
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>When i execute this connection script, it waits for a few seconds (10 to 15 secs mostly) and then gives out the following error:</p>
  
  <pre><code>OperationalError: (2003, "Can't connect to MySQL server on 'dbname.xxxx.us-west-1.rds.amazonaws.com' (10060)")
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I have used sql server on localhost previously, and used to connect it using the same scheme and it worked always. Now, this is the first time I am dealing with a db on amazon rds and have no idea why this error is showing up..please help. Thanks.</p>