AWS Snow Family
Last updated
Last updated
The AWS Snow Family is a suite of physical devices designed to facilitate the secure transfer, processing, and storage of large-scale data between on-premises environments and AWS. These devices address scenarios where data transfer over the internet or traditional network connections is impractical due to size, speed, security, or connectivity limitations. The family consists of the following key services:
Description: A small, rugged, and portable device for edge computing, storage, and data transfer.
Key Features:
Compact size and lightweight (weighs 4.5 pounds).
Up to 8 TB of usable storage.
Designed for small-scale deployments in remote or mobile environments.
Integrated with AWS IoT Greengrass for edge processing capabilities.
Use Cases:
Collecting and processing data in remote locations with limited connectivity.
Transporting small-scale data to AWS.
Description: A larger, more versatile device for bulk data transfer and edge computing.
Variants:
Snowball Edge Storage Optimized:
Up to 80 TB of usable storage.
Designed primarily for data transfer and storage.
Snowball Edge Compute Optimized:
Includes 52 vCPUs and GPU options.
Supports advanced edge computing workloads.
Key Features:
Integrated with AWS services like Amazon S3 and EC2 instances for local processing.
Rugged design for challenging environments.
Use Cases:
Large-scale data migration to AWS.
Local processing for machine learning, analytics, or IoT workloads.
Description: A massive-scale data transfer service using a shipping container for petabyte to exabyte-scale data migration.
Key Features:
Up to 100 PB capacity per Snowmobile.
Delivered as a secure, 45-foot-long shipping container.
Encrypted and highly secure data transfer.
Use Cases:
Migrating entire data centers to AWS.
Large-scale backups for archival purposes.
End-to-End Security: Devices are encrypted with 256-bit encryption keys managed by the AWS Key Management Service (KMS).
Durability: Rugged designs for harsh environments.
Edge Computing: Supports running applications locally for real-time data processing.
Seamless Integration: Easily integrates with AWS services like S3 and EC2.
Fast Data Transfer: Avoids network limitations by physically transporting data to AWS.
Cost-Effective: Reduces costs for large-scale data transfers compared to over-the-network solutions.
Flexible: Options for different data scales and use cases (from TB to exabytes).
Secure: Built-in encryption and tamper-proof designs ensure data integrity.
Data Migration: Moving large datasets to the cloud for analysis, archiving, or backup.
Edge Computing: Processing data locally in disconnected or low-bandwidth environments.
Disaster Recovery: Quickly transferring critical data to AWS during emergencies.
Media Production: Handling large-scale video or image datasets.
The AWS Snow Family is particularly valuable in industries like media and entertainment, healthcare, oil and gas, and government, where data transfer and edge computing challenges are common.
