AWS Snowball and Snowmobile Basics
Introduction
AWS Snowball and Snowmobile are physical data transport solutions provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) to facilitate the transfer of large amounts of data to AWS cloud storage. They are designed to address the challenges associated with transferring petabytes of data over the internet.
AWS Snowball
AWS Snowball is a data transfer service that uses secure, rugged devices to transfer large amounts of data into and out of AWS. Each Snowball device can transfer up to 80 terabytes of data.
aws snowball create-job --job-type IMPORT --resources file://resources.json --role-arn arn:aws:iam::account-id:role/SnowballRole --snowball-capacity-preference T80The command above creates a Snowball job to import data into AWS.
AWS Snowmobile
AWS Snowmobile is an exabyte-scale data transfer service that can move large amounts of data (up to 100 petabytes) using a shipping container that is transported via a semi-trailer truck to an AWS data center.
Snowmobile is ideal for massive data migrations that require a secure and efficient means of transportation.
Use Cases
- Data center migrations to AWS.
- Backup and recovery for large datasets.
- Moving large data sets from edge locations.
- Content distribution and media archiving.
Best Practices
- Plan your data transfer: Assess the volume and types of data to transfer.
- Secure your data: Utilize encryption for data in transit and at rest.
- Test the transfer: Conduct a small pilot transfer before the large migration.
- Monitor the job progress: Use AWS Management Console to track job status.
FAQ
What is the difference between Snowball and Snowmobile?
Snowball is ideal for transferring up to 80 TB of data, while Snowmobile is designed for transferring exabytes of data, making it suitable for larger-scale migrations.
How do I order a Snowball or Snowmobile?
You can order Snowball or Snowmobile through the AWS Management Console. Create a job and follow the instructions provided.
What are the security features of Snowball and Snowmobile?
Both services provide end-to-end encryption, tamper-resistant enclosures, and secure transport options to ensure data security during transfer.