1. IP address or hostname in JDBC URL is wrong.
-Cannot be as the same url works fine on another comp
2.The Hostname in JDBC URL is not recognized by local DNS server.
-I tried /127.0.0.1:3306/database, /localhost:3306/database, /localhost/database, / xx.xx.xx-xx-2.rds.amazonaws.com
:3306/database, same error no matter what
3.Port number is missing or wrong in JDBC URL.
-it's 100% port 3306
4.DB server is down.
-not down as it accepts remote access
5.DB server doesn't accept TCP/IP connections.
-clearly it does accept if it works from my pc
6.DB server has run out of connections. -||-
7.Something in between Java and DB is blocking connections, e.g. a firewall or proxy.
-the inbound rule is 0.0.0.0 so it should work form both local and remote