What is AWS Snowball?

AWS Snowball is a physical data transport solution provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that enables the secure and efficient transfer of large amounts of data into and out of AWS. Snowball devices are rugged, tamper-evident, and purpose-built for data transfer, allowing you to move petabytes of data to the cloud without the constraints of network bandwidth. This is particularly useful for organizations that need to transfer large datasets, perform data migrations, or implement disaster recovery solutions.

Key Features of AWS Snowball

1. Physical Data Transfer:
   • AWS Snowball provides a physical device that you can use to transfer large volumes of data to and from AWS. This is ideal when transferring data over the internet is impractical due to bandwidth limitations, time constraints, or cost concerns.
2. High-Capacity Devices:
   • Snowball devices come in different storage capacities:
     • Snowball Edge Storage Optimized: Offers up to 80 TB of usable storage.
     • Snowball Edge Compute Optimized: Provides up to 42 TB of usable storage, along with compute capabilities for running EC2 instances and Lambda functions on the device.
3. Security:
   • Snowball devices feature multiple layers of security:
     • Encryption: All data transferred to Snowball devices is encrypted using 256-bit encryption keys managed by AWS Key Management Service (KMS).
     • Tamper-Evident: The devices are tamper-evident and include a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) that provides hardware-based security.
     • End-to-End Chain of Custody: AWS ensures a secure chain of custody throughout the data transfer process, from the moment the device leaves AWS to when it is returned.
4. Data Import and Export:
   • Snowball supports both data import (moving data into AWS) and data export (moving data out of AWS). This flexibility allows you to use Snowball for various use cases, including data migrations, content distribution, and disaster recovery.
5. Compute Capabilities:
   • Snowball Edge devices offer compute capabilities, allowing you to run AWS Lambda functions, EC2 instances, and IoT applications locally on the device. This is useful for preprocessing data before transferring it to AWS or running applications in remote locations with limited connectivity.
6. Integration with AWS Services:
   • Snowball integrates with various AWS services, including Amazon S3, Amazon EC2, and AWS Lambda, enabling seamless data transfer and processing workflows.
7. Scalability:
   • Snowball devices can be clustered together to create a larger storage pool, allowing you to handle even larger datasets efficiently.

How AWS Snowball Works

1. Request a Snowball Device:
   • Start by creating a job in the AWS Management Console. Specify the type of Snowball device you need, the amount of data you want to transfer, and whether the job is for data import or export.
2. Receive and Configure the Device:
   • AWS ships the Snowball device to your location. Once you receive the device, connect it to your local network and configure it using the AWS Snowball client software.
3. Transfer Data to the Device:
   • Use the Snowball client to copy data from your local storage to the Snowball device. The client ensures that all data is encrypted during transfer.
4. Ship the Device Back to AWS:
   • After transferring your data, securely pack the device using the provided tamper-evident shipping materials and ship it back to AWS using the included shipping label.
5. Data Ingested into AWS:
   • Once AWS receives the device, your data is automatically transferred to your specified S3 bucket or other AWS services. AWS then securely erases the data from the Snowball device.
6. Monitor the Transfer:
   • You can monitor the status of your Snowball job through the AWS Management Console, ensuring that the data transfer process is completed successfully.

Types of AWS Snowball Devices

1. AWS Snowball Edge Storage Optimized:
   • Capacity: Up to 80 TB of usable storage.
   • Use Cases: Large-scale data migrations, backups, disaster recovery, and content distribution.
2. AWS Snowball Edge Compute Optimized:
   • Capacity: Up to 42 TB of usable storage, along with compute capabilities.
   • Use Cases: Data transfer combined with on-site data processing, running machine learning models, edge computing, and IoT applications.
3. AWS Snowcone:
   • Capacity: 8 TB of usable storage.
   • Use Cases: Smaller-scale data transfer, edge computing, and remote site data collection.

Common Use Cases for AWS Snowball

1. Data Migration:
   • Scenario: Organizations needing to migrate large datasets to the cloud, such as data center decommissioning, media archives, or legacy system migration.
   • Solution: Use Snowball devices to transfer large amounts of data to AWS without relying on potentially slow or costly network transfers.
2. Disaster Recovery:
   • Scenario: Businesses that need to quickly restore data in the event of a disaster, where data recovery over the internet is impractical due to time constraints.
   • Solution: Snowball allows for the rapid export of data from AWS, enabling organizations to restore critical data on-premises quickly.
3. Content Distribution:
   • Scenario: Media companies needing to distribute large amounts of video content or other media to multiple locations.
   • Solution: Use Snowball devices to efficiently deliver large media libraries to multiple destinations, ensuring high-speed transfer and data integrity.
4. Edge Computing:
   • Scenario: Remote or disconnected environments, such as oil rigs, ships, or field operations, that need to collect and process data locally before transferring it to the cloud.
   • Solution: Snowball Edge devices with compute capabilities allow data to be processed locally, and then transferred to AWS when connectivity is available.
5. Data Archiving:
   • Scenario: Organizations looking to offload large volumes of data to the cloud for long-term storage and archival.
   • Solution: Snowball can be used to bulk transfer data to Amazon S3 Glacier or S3 Glacier Deep Archive, ensuring cost-effective long-term storage.

Security Features of AWS Snowball

1. Encryption:
   • All data transferred to a Snowball device is encrypted using 256-bit encryption keys, ensuring that your data remains secure during transit. The keys are never stored on the device itself, providing an additional layer of security.
2. Tamper-Evident Design:
   • Snowball devices are built with tamper-evident features, including tamper-resistant enclosures and hardware-based security measures, to protect the device and its contents during transport.
3. Chain of Custody:
   • AWS maintains a secure chain of custody for Snowball devices, tracking the device from the time it leaves AWS to when it is returned. This ensures that your data remains secure throughout the transfer process.
4. Data Erasure:
   • After the data is ingested into AWS, the device is securely wiped using AWS’s NIST-compliant erasure process, ensuring that no residual data remains on the device.

Setting Up and Using AWS Snowball

Here’s a simplified guide to setting up and using AWS Snowball:

Step 1: Create a Snowball Job

• Log in to the AWS Management Console, navigate to the Snowball service, and create a new job.
• Specify the type of device (e.g., Snowball Edge Storage Optimized), the amount of data to be transferred, and the destination (e.g., S3 bucket).

Step 2: Receive and Set Up the Device

• AWS ships the Snowball device to your specified location.
• Connect the device to your local network and power it on.
• Use the AWS Snowball client to unlock and configure the device for data transfer.

Step 3: Transfer Data

• Use the Snowball client or NFS/SMB file transfer protocols to copy data from your local environment to the Snowball device.
• Monitor the data transfer process to ensure all data is copied successfully.

Step 4: Return the Device to AWS

• Once the data transfer is complete, securely pack the device and ship it back to AWS using the provided shipping label.
• Monitor the job status in the AWS Management Console to track the progress of data ingestion into AWS.

Step 5: Data Ingested into AWS

• AWS receives the device, and your data is automatically transferred to the specified AWS storage service.
• After ingestion, the device is securely wiped, and you are notified that the job is complete.

Cost Management for AWS Snowball

• Job Cost: AWS charges a fixed fee for each Snowball job, which includes the use of the device for up to 10 days and shipping.
• Data Transfer Costs: Data transfer into AWS using Snowball is free. However, there may be charges for data transfer out of AWS or for additional services like S3 storage.
• Overage Fees: If the device is kept beyond the 10-day period, additional daily fees may apply.

Conclusion

AWS Snowball is a powerful solution for securely and efficiently transferring large amounts of data to and from the AWS cloud. It addresses challenges associated with limited network bandwidth, large-scale data migrations, and remote or disconnected environments. With its high capacity, robust security features, and flexibility in handling both data transfer and edge computing, Snowball enables organizations to overcome the limitations of traditional data transfer methods and fully leverage the benefits of cloud storage.