AWS File Gateway and AWS Volume Gateway are two different types of AWS Storage Gateway services, each designed for specific use cases and providing different storage and access models. Here are the key differences between AWS File Gateway and AWS Volume Gateway:
AWS File Gateway:
- Use Case:
- AWS File Gateway is designed for file-level access, making it suitable for scenarios where you need to access files and directories stored in Amazon S3 using standard file protocols like NFS and SMB.
- Access Protocol:
- It provides access to data using the Network File System (NFS) and Server Message Block (SMB) protocols, which are commonly used for file sharing and network-attached storage (NAS).
- Storage Location:
- Data is stored in Amazon S3. The files and objects stored in S3 are accessible through the gateway using NFS and SMB.
- Storage Tier:
- It uses S3 as the backend storage, making it suitable for cost-effective, scalable, and durable storage.
- Content Sync:
- AWS File Gateway supports on-demand or scheduled transfers between the on-premises file server and the S3 storage, allowing you to upload and download data as needed.
- Data Deduplication:
- Data deduplication is available in AWS File Gateway, which can reduce storage costs by eliminating duplicate data.
- Use Cases:
- Common use cases for AWS File Gateway include backup, archive, data transfer, and providing on-premises applications with access to cloud-based data.
AWS Volume Gateway:
- Use Case:
- AWS Volume Gateway is designed for block-level access, making it suitable for scenarios where you need to attach iSCSI volumes to your on-premises servers or EC2 instances and use them as block storage.
- Access Protocol:
- It provides access to data through iSCSI, which is used for attaching block storage devices to servers.
- Storage Location:
- Data is stored in Amazon EBS (Elastic Block Store) volumes, which are presented as iSCSI volumes to the on-premises or EC2 instances.
- Storage Tier:
- It uses Amazon EBS, which is a highly available and performant block storage service designed for database workloads and applications that require low-latency access to data.
- Content Sync:
- Volume Gateway supports synchronous and asynchronous replication between on-premises volumes and Amazon EBS volumes, allowing you to maintain data consistency.
- Use Cases:
- Common use cases for AWS Volume Gateway include disaster recovery, backup, data migration, and providing block-level storage to applications and servers that require low-latency access to data.
In summary, AWS File Gateway is suitable for file-level access and integrates with Amazon S3 for scalable and cost-effective storage. AWS Volume Gateway is designed for block-level access and integrates with Amazon EBS for low-latency, high-performance block storage. The choice between the two depends on the specific storage and access requirements of your application or workload.
AWS Tape Gateway is another service provided by AWS Storage Gateway, and it’s designed to provide a cloud-based virtual tape infrastructure for archiving data. AWS Tape Gateway allows you to integrate your on-premises backup and data archiving systems with AWS cloud storage using the familiar concept of tape backups. Here are the key features and aspects of AWS Tape Gateway:
1. Virtual Tape Library (VTL):
- AWS Tape Gateway emulates a physical tape library, where you can create, store, and manage virtual tapes. These virtual tapes are stored in Amazon S3 and Amazon S3 Glacier.
2. Archive and Backup:
- Tape Gateway is ideal for long-term data archiving, backup, and disaster recovery. It provides a cost-effective way to store large amounts of data that needs to be retained for compliance or historical purposes.
3. iSCSI Access:
- You can access your virtual tapes via the Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI). This means you can mount these virtual tapes as iSCSI devices to your on-premises backup applications and servers.
4. Integration:
- AWS Tape Gateway integrates seamlessly with popular backup applications and workflows that are compatible with virtual tape libraries. It works with existing tape-based backup processes without the need for significant changes.
5. Data Retention:
- AWS offers multiple storage classes for tapes, allowing you to choose the most cost-effective storage class based on your data access requirements. Tapes can be transitioned to colder storage classes as data becomes less frequently accessed.
6. Cost-Effective:
- AWS Tape Gateway can help reduce costs compared to managing physical tapes. It eliminates the need for physical tape management and offsite storage.
7. Durability and Availability:
- Virtual tapes stored in Amazon S3 and Amazon S3 Glacier are designed for durability and availability. They benefit from AWS’s robust data storage infrastructure.
8. AWS Management Console:
- You can manage your virtual tapes, create tape libraries, and set up archival policies through the AWS Management Console or the AWS CLI.
In summary, AWS Tape Gateway provides an effective way to move from traditional on-premises tape-based archiving and backup to a more scalable, cost-effective, and durable cloud-based solution. It simplifies long-term data retention and disaster recovery planning by leveraging AWS cloud storage services while maintaining compatibility with existing backup workflows.