Can not connect to DynamoDB locally

Question

Hello.
I need to set up dynamoDB locally.
I made everything by instruction.
1. [ Run it in docker ](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazondynamodb/latest/developerguide/DynamoDBLocal.DownloadingAndRunning.html)
2. It works I see this:
```
amazon/dynamodb-local:latest   "java -jar DynamoDBL…"   19 hours ago   Up 2 hours   0.0.0.0:8000->8000/tcp, :::8000->8000/tcp
```
3. Try to connect by [the instruction](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazondynamodb/latest/developerguide/DynamoDBLocal.UsageNotes.html)
```
aws dynamodb list-tables --endpoint-url http://localhost:8000
```
But I don't have any results. It just wailt without any logs in console.
I tryed to call it manually
```
curl http://localhost:8000
```
It returns 
```
{"__type":"com.amazonaws.dynamodb.v20120810#MissingAuthenticationToken","Message":"Request must contain either a valid (registered) AWS access key ID or X.509 certificate."}
```

I totally don't understand what to do. I don't see errors and I don't see result.
Do you know how to debug it? Or may be is an instrucation.
Help me please.

Leeroy Hannigan · Answer

> {"__type":"com.amazonaws.dynamodb.v20120810#MissingAuthenticationToken","Message":"Request must contain either a valid (registered) AWS access key ID or X.509 certificate."}

The reason you see this exception is because you `curled` the endpoint, curl does not sign requests so the exception is expected.

As for your actual issue, you need to ensure that you use credentials to connect to DynamoDB Local. You need to use [`aws configure`](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/cli-chap-configure.html) to configure credentials (for local they do not have to be valid credentials).

As you already have credentials saved as `local` then you should execute this command:
```
aws dynamodb list-tables \
--endpoint-url http://localhost:8000 \
--profile local \
--debug
```

`--debug` will highlight where the request is failing, if it still fails.

Antonio_Lagrotteria · Answer

Hi,
if above does not fix it, I would suggest to follow this topic as could be related to some bug introduced in specific versions for local DynamoDB.

https://repost.aws/questions/QUHyIzoEDqQ3iOKlUEp1LPWQ#ANdBm9Nz9TRf6VqR3jZtcA1g

Bisina · Answer

On your IAM user, you can generate a set of credentials -> [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/id_credentials_access-keys.html]()

What I meant by "This can be any set of valid credentials" is that the aws_access_key_id and aws_secret_access_key need to be an actual set of credentials generated in AWS.

Generate the credentials then update the local credentials file then you can simply run the following, You do not need to specify the region as local. The region parameter is only valid when we call AWS services in specific regions since we are using the --endpoint-url the CLI automatically calls the local instance.

```bash
aws dynamodb list-tables --endpoint-url http://localhost:8000 --profile local
```

jangot · Answer

Sorry what does it mean: "This can be any set of valid credentials."?
Where can I get the credentials for local DB? It has value by default? Or I need to specifiy it some how?

Bisina · Answer

DynamoDB local requires Access Key ID and Secret Key ID to authenticate. This can be any set of valid credentials.

I would recommend setting up the Access Key ID and Secret Key ID in your AWS CLI -> [https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/cli-configure-files.html]()

Then add the --profile parameter to the "aws dynamodb" command referencing the profile name you created when setting up the credentials.

```bash
aws dynamodb list-tables --endpoint-url http://localhost:8000 --profile myprofile
```

jangot · Answer

I have this in my credentials file
```
[local]
aws_access_key_id=dummy-access-key
aws_secret_access_key=dummy-access-key
```
and config
```
[local]
region = us-west-2
```
And I call it so
```
aws dynamodb list-tables --region local --endpoint-url "http://localhost:8000"
```
or so
```
aws dynamodb list-tables --profile local --endpoint-url "http://localhost:8000"
```

Do I need to use the keys or I need generate it some how? Or specifty it?
Whant is wrong?

Can not connect to DynamoDB locally

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