When attempting to rename a SQL Server database on Amazon RDS using standard T-SQL commands like:

ALTER DATABASE OldDBName MODIFY NAME = NewDBName;

You'll encounter the frustrating permission error:

User does not have permission to alter database 'DatabaseName', the database does not exist, or the database is not in a state that allows access checks.

Amazon RDS implements specific security restrictions that prevent certain server-level operations:

• RDS manages the master database and restricts ALTER DATABASE permissions
• The rdsadmin role required for such operations isn't available to users
• Microsoft's sp_renamedb stored procedure is also blocked on RDS

Option 1: Database Copy Approach

This is the most reliable method despite being more involved:

-- Create new database from backup
CREATE DATABASE NewDBName;
GO

-- Use generated script from SSMS to migrate schema and data
-- (Export Data-tier Application in SSMS for bacpac approach)
EXEC sp_generate_script @database_name = 'OldDBName', @script_type = 'CREATE';

Option 2: Alternative Naming Through Synonyms

For applications where you just need reference changes:

CREATE SYNONYM [OldDBName] FOR [NewDBName];
-- Then update connection strings gradually

Option 3: DNS-Level Redirection

For web applications, you can:

1. Create new database with desired name
2. Set up DNS CNAME record to point to new endpoint
3. Use connection string that references the DNS name

If you must maintain availability:

• Use transactional replication to keep databases in sync
• Implement blue-green deployment pattern
• Schedule during maintenance windows with proper notifications

For frequent needs, consider PowerShell automation:

# Sample PowerShell for RDS database copy
Import-Module AWSPowerShell

$creds = Get-AWSCredential -ProfileName "prod"
$rdsClient = New-Object Amazon.RDS.AmazonRDSClient($creds)

$copyParams = @{
    SourceDBInstanceIdentifier = "source-db"
    TargetDBInstanceIdentifier = "target-db"
    DBInstanceClass = "db.m5.large"
    PubliclyAccessible = $true
}

$copyRequest = New-RDSDBSnapshot @copyParams

Before proceeding with any method:

• Verify sufficient storage space (2x database size minimum)
• Check RDS instance class can handle the additional load
• Confirm backup/restore permissions (rds_backup role)
• Test the entire process in a non-production environment first

While not as straightforward as on-premises SQL Server, these methods provide workable solutions for RDS environments where database renaming is required.

---

AWS RDS imposes specific restrictions on SQL Server instances that prevent direct database renaming through standard T-SQL commands. When executing:

ALTER DATABASE OldDB MODIFY NAME = NewDB;

You'll encounter error 5011 indicating insufficient permissions, even with master user credentials. This occurs because RDS manages the underlying Windows service account that would normally have these privileges.

Here are three validated approaches for production environments:

1. Database Copy Method (Most Reliable)

-- Create new database from backup
RESTORE DATABASE NewDB 
FROM DISK = 'S3://your-bucket/olddb.bak'
WITH MOVE 'OldDB_Data' TO 'D:\RDSData\NewDB.mdf',
MOVE 'OldDB_Log' TO 'D:\RDSData\NewDB.ldf',
REPLACE, STATS = 5;

-- Verify completion
SELECT name, state_desc FROM sys.databases;

2. Schema Transfer Approach

-- Generate schema scripts
EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1;
RECONFIGURE;
EXEC sp_configure 'xp_cmdshell', 1;
RECONFIGURE;

-- Export schema (RDS requires S3 integration)
EXEC xp_cmdshell 'sqlpackage /a:Export /ssn:your-rds-endpoint 
/sdn:OldDB /su:admin /sp:password /tf:C:\schemas\export.dacpac';

When implementing these solutions:

• Schedule during low-traffic periods
• Update connection strings atomically using AWS Systems Manager
• Test DNS caching behavior with your TTL settings

For large databases (>100GB):

-- Set offline before backup (reduces blocking)
ALTER DATABASE OldDB SET SINGLE_USER WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE;

-- Use compressed backups
BACKUP DATABASE OldDB TO DISK = 'S3://bucket/backup.bak' 
WITH COMPRESSION, STATS = 5, BLOCKSIZE = 65536;

-- Parallel restore (Enterprise Edition only)
RESTORE DATABASE NewDB FROM DISK = 'S3://bucket/backup.bak'
WITH BUFFERCOUNT = 10, MAXTRANSFERSIZE = 4194304;