AWS Storage Gateway: A Comprehensive Guide

AWS Storage Gateway is a service that lets you connect your systems on-premises to the cloud. This blog will talk about it. Discover the various types of storage ports, their main features, and how they can help businesses better manage their data. Companies can use the on-premises processes they already have while also using these tools to store data in the cloud. This saves them money, lets them grow, and keeps them safer. Our conversation will also include how these methods assist a smooth transition to the cloud. 

What is AWS Storage Gateway?

AWS Storage Gateway is the perfect solution for connecting your on-premises systems to the AWS Cloud. It functions as a bridge to help you smoothly integrate cloud storage into your current configuration. This allows you to keep using the infrastructure you already have while still enjoying the scalability, cost savings, and dependability of AWS cloud storage.

AWS Storage Gateway lets you not disturb your processes. It’s meant to simplify your life and increase the efficiency of your storage, whether your needs are archiving, backing up data, or managing hybrid storage requirements.

Now that we understand what an AWS Storage Gateway is let’s explore the different types of gateways it offers, each tailored to meet specific storage needs.

Types of Storage Gateways

With AWS Storage Gateway, you can connect your on-premises system to the AWS Cloud and store data in both. It lets your companies easily connect their current processes with AWS’s flexible and inexpensive storage options. There are 3 types of AWS Storage Gateways, each tailored to specific use cases: 

• File Gateway
• Tape Gateway and 
• Volume Gateway. 

These gateways empower you to manage data efficiently, reduce costs, and streamline operations.

Now, let’s dive deeper into these gateway types, explore their features, and understand how they can benefit your cloud journey.

Amazon S3 File Gateway:

This gateway allows you to store files locally using standard protocols like NFS (for Linux) or SMB (for Windows). Amazon S3 saves them immediately as objects. It makes connecting your on-premises files to the cloud easier and protects your growth and cost-effectiveness.

How it helps you:

• Seamless File Storage: You can work with files locally as usual, and they’re automatically backed up to S3 in the cloud.
• Enhanced Control: S3’s features, like lifecycle management and replication, give you better ways to manage your data.
• Transparency: Amazon CloudWatch logs and visualizes all activity, such as file uploads or downloads, offering robust monitoring.

Use cases:

• Backup and Archiving: This feature is perfect for securely backing up your on-premises databases (like Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle) as objects in S3.
• Hybrid Workflows: ideal for workflows that generate data locally (e.g., manufacturing sensors or IoT devices) but need cloud processing, like big data analytics or machine learning.

Tape Gateway

Tape Gateway replaces traditional physical tapes with virtual tapes stored securely in Amazon S3. It integrates with existing backup systems, allowing you to continue using familiar workflows while transitioning to cloud storage.

How it helps you:

• Cost Savings: Eliminates the need for expensive tape infrastructure and reduces long-term storage costs by using services like S3 Glacier for archival.

• Scalability: Easily scales as your backup needs grow without the hassle of physical storage management.

• Simplified Management: Centralized tape management in AWS reduces operational overhead, and disaster recovery becomes more straightforward.

Use Cases:

• Backup Modernization: Transition seamlessly from physical tape backups to a cloud-based system, ensuring secure and scalable data storage.

• Disaster Recovery: Centralized backups in the cloud improve recovery speed and reliability.

• Tape Archive Migration: Move large tape archives to the cloud using AWS Snowball for secure and efficient data transfer.

Volume Gateway

Volume Gateway helps you store and back up application data as virtual volumes using the iSCSI protocol. It securely backs up data to AWS as snapshots, ensuring durability and easy recovery. You can simplify compliance, automate backups, and manage disaster recovery efficiently.

How it Helps You:

• Data Protection: Ensures durability with point-in-time snapshots stored in AWS.
• Compliance & Recovery: Simplifies regulatory needs and disaster recovery through AWS Backup.
• Automated Management: Reduces effort with automated backup scheduling.

Use Cases:

• Critical Data Backup: Protect essential on-premises application data in the cloud.
• Disaster Recovery: Leverage cached and stored volumes for quick recovery.
• Streamlined Backup Operations: Centralize backup management for efficiency and compliance.

Now that you have a clearer picture of the different types of Storage Gateways, let’s take a look at how this service can address some of the key challenges businesses face in data management and security.

What Challenges Does AWS Storage Gateway Service Solve?

AWS Storage Gateway connects on-premises storage with cloud solutions, enabling seamless data management across hybrid environments. It allows your businesses to retain legacy applications while utilizing the cloud’s scalability & cost-efficiency. This service addresses challenges in data security, management, and scalability.

Now, Let’s discuss the key challenges that companies face when managing storage across hybrid environments and how AWS Storage Gateway effectively addresses these issues.

• Maintaining Legacy Applications: Companies rely on legacy applications and want to keep on-premises storage while taking advantage of the cloud’s scalability without major changes.
• Access to Cloud and Local Data: Businesses need seamless access to both on-premises and cloud data to utilize cloud-based analytics and machine learning while maintaining access to critical information.
• Compliance and Security Management: Companies must meet strict regulations regarding data security. AWS Storage Gateway integrates compliance and security tools, enabling secure and easy data management from a centralized platform.
• Seamless Cloud Connectivity: Businesses store data on-premises and in the cloud, and they require reliable connectivity for data access. AWS Storage Gateway offers a seamless connection for uninterrupted data management.

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Having discussed the challenges, let’s take a closer look at the standout features that make AWS Storage Gateway a game-changer for data management.

Key Features of AWS Storage Gateway

AWS Storage Gateway is a benefit that connects on-premises storage with AWS cloud storage. It allows businesses to manage their data securely while benefiting from the cloud’s scalability and cost savings. Here are the key features:

• Seamless Integration with On-Premises Storage

AWS Storage Gateway helps connect your on-premises systems with AWS cloud storage. Whether you use virtual or physical storage, this service provides an easy way to integrate your current setup with the cloud. You can keep using familiar file protocols like NFS and SMB while enjoying the benefits of cloud storage.

• Scalable Cloud Storage

AWS Storage Gateway connects your on-site data to AWS storage options like Amazon S3, EBS, and Glacier. This connection allows businesses to easily scale their storage without the hassle of managing physical equipment. It helps them handle growing data needs with flexible, on-demand cloud storage.

• Automated Backup and Recovery

AWS Storage Gateway enables automatic data backup and recovery, ensuring safety with scheduled snapshots and replication. These features minimize downtime and facilitate quick restoration of important data, reducing the impact of system failures or disasters.

• Data Encryption and Security

AWS Storage Gateway prioritizes security by encrypting data at rest and in transit. It integrates with AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) for access control, ensuring secure data storage and compliance with standards like HIPAA and GDPR.

• Cost-Efficiency

Switching from traditional on-premises storage to cloud storage with AWS Storage Gateway helps businesses save money on their storage costs. This solution removes the need for expensive hardware, and you only pay for the cloud storage you actually use. This approach significantly cuts down on capital expenses.

• Hybrid Cloud Integration

AWS Storage Gateway supports hybrid environments where data is stored both on-premises and in the cloud. This makes it easier for businesses to access and process data in both locations without disrupting workflows, making it ideal for companies that rely on local data generation combined with cloud-based analytics and processing.

Now, with the features in mind, let’s move on to the pricing of AWS Storage Gateway and see how it aligns with your business needs across different regions.

AWS Storage Gateway Pricing

AWS Storage Gateway pricing depends on the region, the type of gateway, and the associated storage and data transfer requirements. Here’s a simplified breakdown of pricing for various types of gateways:

1. Amazon S3 File Gateway Pricing (US East – Ohio)

2. Amazon FSx File Gateway Pricing

3. Volume Gateway Pricing (US East – Ohio)

4. Tape Gateway Pricing (US East – Ohio)

5. Data Transfer Pricing

After going through the pricing details, let’s conclude with an overview of AWS Storage Gateway and its benefits.

Conclusion

AWS Storage Gateway is a powerful solution that seamlessly integrates on-premises systems with cloud infrastructure. It offers businesses the flexibility of cloud scalability while preserving legacy applications. With features like real-time data access, cloud backups, and secure disaster recovery, AWS ensures companies benefit from both the cloud and their existing IT investments.

To master AWS Storage Gateway and optimize your cloud strategy, enroll in Edureka’s AWS certification course. Our expert-led training will equip you with the skills to manage hybrid cloud environments and drive business innovation efficiently.

FAQs

What is the AWS storage gateway?

AWS Storage Gateway is a cloud service that connects your local systems to AWS cloud storage. It allows safe and easy data transfer between your on-site infrastructure and cloud services like S3 and EBS. This solution helps businesses store data efficiently while maintaining local access and minimizing changes to current applications.

What are the 3 types of storage in AWS?

The three types of storage in AWS are:

• Object Storage – Stores data as objects with metadata and unique identifiers.  (e.g., Amazon S3)
• Block Storage – Provides raw storage volumes for use with EC2 instances. (e.g., Amazon EBS)
• File Storage – Provides scalable file storage for use with cloud-based. (e.g., Amazon EFS)

What are two gateways offered by AWS storage gateway?

The two types of gateways offered by AWS Storage Gateway are:

1. File Gateway – Connects on-premises environments to cloud storage, enabling file-based access to objects in Amazon S3.
2. Volume Gateway – Provides cloud-backed storage volumes that can be mounted as iSCSI devices, supporting block storage on-premises.

What is the difference between AWS data Sync and AWS storage gateway?

AWS DataSync and AWS Storage Gateway are AWS services designed for efficient data movement and storage integration, but they have different functions.

• AWS DataSync automates and accelerates data transfers between on-premises storage and AWS cloud storage, simplifying the migration process.
• AWS Storage Gateway connects on-premises environments with cloud storage, providing hybrid solutions for file, volume, and tape-based backups.