Amazon S3AWS Storage Gateway is a hybrid cloud storage service that offers users a seamless way to connect on-premises environments with Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud storage. By bridging the gap between on-premises storage systems and the AWS cloud, Storage Gateway enables businesses and organizations to enhance their storage infrastructure with the scalability, reliability, and security features of AWS, all while maintaining low latency access to their data.
Storage Gateway can run as a virtual machine in a VMware, Hyper-V, or Linux KVM environment, or as an Amazon EC2 instance in an Amazon VPC.
S3 File, Tape, and Volume gateways can also be deployed on the Nutanix AHV hypervisor.
At the heart of AWS Storage Gateway are three types of gateways, each designed to serve specific storage needs and use cases. The File Gateway configuration allows for the simple storage and retrieval of files using the Network File System (NFS) and Server Message Block (SMB) protocols. By presenting a file-based interface, File Gateway simplifies the integration of AWS cloud storage into existing file-based applications and workflows, making it an ideal solution for archiving, content distribution, and data backup.
Amazon FSx File Gateway provides SMB access to files in Amazon FSx for Windows File Server. Files written through this gateway are also directly accessible in FSx for Windows File Server.
The Volume Gateway configuration, on the other hand, provides block-level storage volumes through the iSCSI protocol. This configuration supports two modes: Stored Volumes, which keep your primary data locally while asynchronously backing up that data to AWS, and Cached Volumes, which store your primary data in AWS while retaining frequently accessed data locally. Volume Gateway is often used for disaster recovery, data mirroring, and augmenting on-premises storage with the cloud. The Tape Gateway configuration offers a cost-effective and durable solution for archiving and backup. It emulates physical tape libraries and tape drives, enabling customers to replace traditional tape infrastructure with a cloud-based storage solution without changing their existing backup workflows. This approach not only simplifies tape management but also leverages the scalability and durability of AWS cloud storage, along with faster data retrieval times than physical tape systems.
AWS Storage Gateway integrates tightly with other AWS services, providing a comprehensive and versatile storage solution. For example, data stored in AWS through Storage Gateway can be easily managed with Amazon S3, archived to Amazon Glacier for long-term storage, or processed with various data analysis and machine learning services available on AWS. This integration extends the functionality of Storage Gateway, allowing for more complex and powerful data management strategies.
Security is a key aspect of AWS Storage Gateway, which encrypts data in transit and at rest, ensuring that sensitive information is protected. Additionally, the service is designed for high availability and durability, with data stored in AWS benefiting from its cloud storage infrastructure.
In summary, AWS Storage Gateway offers a powerful and flexible solution for extending on-premises storage systems into the cloud. Its various configurations and tight integration with AWS services make it a valuable tool for organizations looking to leverage the benefits of cloud storage while maintaining control over their data.