AWS Snowball Edge | General Flashcards
What is Snowball Edge?
General
AWS Snowball Edge | Storage
Snowball Edge is a 100TB data transfer device with on-board storage and compute power for select AWS capabilities. In addition to transferring data to AWS, Snowball Edge can undertake local processing and edge-computing workloads. Features include an S3-compatible end-point on the device, a file interface with NFS support, a cluster mode where multiple Snowball Edge devices can act as a single, scalable, storage and compute pool with increased durability, and the ability to run Lambda functions as data is copied to the device.
How does Snowball Edge work?
General
AWS Snowball Edge | Storage
You start by requesting one or more Snowball Edge devices in the AWS Management Console based on how much data you need to transfer or process. The buckets and Lambda functions you select are automatically configured, encrypted and preinstalled on your devices before they are shipped to you. Once a device arrives, connect it to your local network and set the IP address either manually or automatically with DHCP. The same is true for setting up a cluster. Then use the Snowball Edge client software, job manifest, and unlock code to verify the integrity of the Snowball Edge device or cluster, and unlock it for use. The manifest and unlock code are uniquely generated and crypto-logically bound to a designated Snowball Edge to help ensure that both cannot be used with any other devices. Data copied to Snowball Edge is automatically encrypted and stored in the buckets you specify.
All logistics and shipping is done by Amazon so when copying is complete and the device is ready to be returned, the E Ink shipping label will automatically update the return address to help ensure that the Snowball Edge device is delivered to the correct AWS facility. Once the device ships, you can receive tracking status via messages sent by Amazon Simple Notification Service (Amazon SNS), generated texts and emails, or directly from the console.
All of the management for your Snowball Edge resources can be performed in the AWS management console and these operations require no on-site system engineers.
Who should use Snowball Edge?
General
AWS Snowball Edge | Storage
Snowball Edge is the optimal data transfer choice if you need to securely and quickly transfer terabytes to petabytes of data to AWS. You can use Snowball Edge if you have a large backlog of data to transfer or if you frequently collect data that needs to be transferred to AWS and your storage is in an area where high-bandwidth Internet connections are not available or cost-prohibitive. You can also use Snowball Edge to run edge computing workloads such as performing local analysis of your data using Lambda functions, backed by a Snowball Edge cluster with increased durability and an S3-compatible endpoint. You can streamline it into existing workflows leveraging built-in capabilities such as the NFS file interface and migrate files to the device while maintaining file metadata. Snowball Edge can operate in remote locations or harsh operating environments, such as factory floors, oil & gas rigs, mining sites, hospitals, and on moving vehicles. Snowball Edge is pre-configured and does not have to be connected to the internet, so processing and data collection can take place within isolated operating environments. Snowball Edge allows you to run the same software at the edge and access select AWS capabilities as you do when you have full connectivity to AWS.
Can I use Snowball Edge to migrate data from one AWS region to another AWS region?
General
AWS Snowball Edge | Storage
No. Snowball Edge is intended to serve as a data transport solution for moving high volumes of data into and out of a designated AWS region. For use cases that require data transfer between AWS regions, we recommend using S3 Cross-Region Replication as an alternative.
How much data can I transfer using Snowball Edge?
General
AWS Snowball Edge | Storage
You can transfer virtually any amount of data with Snowball Edge, from a few terabytes to many petabytes. You can transfer up to 100TB with a single Snowball Edge and transfer larger data sets with multiple devices, either in parallel, or sequentially. For example, you can transfer 1PB of data with 10 Snowball Edge devices.
How long does it take to transfer my data?
General
AWS Snowball Edge | Storage
Data transfer speed is affected by a number of factors including local network speed, file size, and the speed at which data can be read from your local servers. The end-to-end time to transfer 100 TB of data into AWS with Snowball Edge is approximately a week, including the usual shipping and handling time in AWS data centers.
How long can I have a Snowball Edge for a specific job?
General
AWS Snowball Edge | Storage
Snowball Edge devices must be returned within 360 days of the Snowball Edge’s preparation.
What are the specifications of the Snowball Edge?
General
AWS Snowball Edge | Storage
Snowball Edge provides 100TB of storage in a ruggedized, rack mountable, shippable form factor. Additionally, it provides local compute capability that is approximately the equivalent of an EC2 m4.4xlarge instance that provides support for a number of additional functions. Check the Snowball Edge documentation page for a complete list of hardware specs, including network connections, thermal and power requirements, decibel output, and dimensions.
What network interfaces does Snowball Edge support?
General
AWS Snowball Edge | Storage
Snowball Edge includes a 10GBase-T network connection, 10/25Gb SFP28 and 40Gb QSFP+ copper, and optical networking for fast data transfer rates.
