How to Install DynamoDB Local on Ubuntu

Amazon DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL database designed for high performance, scalability, and low-latency access to large datasets. While DynamoDB is primarily offered as a cloud service on AWS, developers often need a local development environment to test schemas, queries, and integrations without incurring cloud costs. In this blog we’ll learn how to install DynamoDB Local on Ubuntu.

Why Use DynamoDB Local?

DynamoDB Local is ideal for:

• Offline development and testing
• Faster iteration without AWS latency
• Experimenting with table design and queries
• CI/CD pipelines and local automation

It behaves similarly to the real DynamoDB service but runs entirely on your local machine.

Step 1: Update the System

Before installing anything, ensure your system packages are up to date:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Java (OpenJDK 17)

DynamoDB Local requires Java. Install OpenJDK 17:

sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk

Verify the installation:

java -version

You should see output confirming Java 17 (or higher) is installed.

Step 3: Create a Directory for DynamoDB Local

Create a dedicated directory to store DynamoDB Local files:

mkdir ~/dynamodb
cd ~/dynamodb

Step 4: Download DynamoDB Local

Download the latest version directly from Amazon:

wget https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/dynamodb-local/dynamodb_local_latest.tar.gz

Extract the archive:

tar -xvzf dynamodb_local_latest.tar.gz

Step 5: Run DynamoDB Local

Start DynamoDB Local using the following command:

java -Djava.library.path=./DynamoDBLocal_lib -jar DynamoDBLocal.jar -sharedDb

What this does:

• Runs DynamoDB on port 8000
• Uses a shared database file (-sharedDb)
• Keeps everything local to your machine

Leave this terminal running while DynamoDB is in use.

Step 6: Install AWS CLI (If Not Installed)

To interact with DynamoDB Local, you’ll need the AWS CLI.

sudo apt install awscli

Configure it:

aws configure

You can enter placeholder values for credentials and region—DynamoDB Local does not require real AWS credentials.

Step 7: Verify DynamoDB Is Running

Open a new terminal and run:

aws dynamodb list-tables --endpoint-url http://localhost:8000

If DynamoDB Local is running correctly, you’ll see:

{
    "TableNames": []
}

Step 8: Create a Test Table

Let’s create a simple table to confirm everything works:

aws dynamodb create-table \
    --table-name Users \
    --attribute-definitions AttributeName=UserID,AttributeType=S \
    --key-schema AttributeName=UserID,KeyType=HASH \
    --provisioned-throughput ReadCapacityUnits=5,WriteCapacityUnits=5 \
    --endpoint-url http://localhost:8000

Verify the table creation:

aws dynamodb list-tables --endpoint-url http://localhost:8000

You should now see:

{
    "TableNames": ["Users"]
}

Step 9: Run DynamoDB Local as a Background Service

To have DynamoDB Local run automatically at boot, create a systemd service.

Create the Service File

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/dynamodb.service

Add the following configuration (adjust the username and paths if needed):

[Unit]
Description=DynamoDB Local
After=network.target
[Service]
ExecStart=/usr/bin/java -Djava.library.path=/home/ubuntu/dynamodb/DynamoDBLocal_lib \
-jar /home/ubuntu/dynamodb/DynamoDBLocal.jar -sharedDb
Restart=always
User=ubuntu
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Enable and Start the Service

sudo systemctl enable dynamodb
sudo systemctl start dynamodb

Check the service status:

sudo systemctl status dynamodb

Conclusion

successfully installed and configured DynamoDB Local on Ubuntu server. This setup provides a fast, reliable, and cost-free environment for developing and testing DynamoDB-based applications before deploying them to AWS.

Whether you’re building microservices, testing data models, or running local CI pipelines, DynamoDB Local is a powerful tool every AWS developer should have. For any further assistance related to How to Install DynamoDB Local on Ubuntu, or if you face challenges while configuring, troubleshooting, or optimizing your local AWS DynamoDB setup, feel free to reach out to us. Our team of experts provides reliable Server Management Services, ensuring smooth installation, secure configuration, and efficient performance for your development and production environments.