Tutorial / Cram Notes
AWS offers a variety of services to facilitate the transfer of data, each designed for specific use cases including different data volumes, transfer speed requirements, and levels of security.
Understanding Your Data Migration Needs
Before you select a service, it is important to understand your data migration criteria:
- Data Volume: The amount of data to be transferred.
- Transfer Speed: The time frame in which data needs to be migrated.
- Network Infrastructure: The bandwidth and quality of the existing network infrastructure.
- Security Requirements: Sensitivity of data that mandates encryption and other security measures.
- Source and Destination Environments: On-premises, cloud-based, or hybrid settings.
- Cost: Budget constraints and cost efficiency goals.
Data Transfer Services Overview
AWS Direct Connect
AWS Direct Connect establishes a dedicated network connection from your premises to AWS. This service is ideal for high-volume data transfer needs, where consistency and low latency are important.
- Use Cases: Large-scale migrations, hybrid environments.
- Pros: Predictable performance, reduced bandwidth costs.
- Cons: Requires physical infrastructure setup.
AWS DataSync
DataSync is an online data transfer service that simplifies, automates, and accelerates moving large amounts of data between on-premises storage systems and AWS storage services, as well as between AWS storage services.
- Use Cases: Online data transfer for active datasets, regular data synchronization.
- Pros: Fast, secure, and easy to manage.
- Cons: Requires network connectivity, and larger data transfers may incur cost.
Amazon S3 Transfer Acceleration
S3 Transfer Acceleration uses Amazon CloudFront’s globally distributed edge locations to accelerate uploads to S3.
- Use Cases: Worldwide data uploads, time-sensitive transfers.
- Pros: Speeds up the transfer of data to Amazon S3.
- Cons: Costs are higher than regular S3 data transfers, not suitable for all geographic locations.
AWS Snow Family
AWS Snow Family is suited for offline data transfer when online data transfer is not feasible due to network constraints. The Snow Family includes Snowcone, Snowball, and Snowmobile.
- Use Cases: Massive data migrations, locations with poor connectivity.
- Pros: High capacity, no network needed, secure.
- Cons: Physical handling required, can take longer than online methods.
Data Migration Strategies
- Rehosting (“Lift and Shift”)
Transfer data with minimal changes to the application architecture. Ideal for quick migrations when there isn’t a strong business need to modify applications.
- Replatforming
Also known as “lift, tinker and shift”, where you might make some optimizations to gain benefits without changing the core architecture of the application. For instance, using RDS for database services while moving an application.
- Refactoring/Re-architecting
This is necessary when your organization seeks to add features, scale, or performance that would otherwise be difficult to achieve in the existing environment.
- Retire
Deciding whether parts of your IT portfolio are no longer needed and can be turned off, saving costs and focusing on the resources that are widely used or necessary.
- Retain
Some applications and data might not be ready for migration. This strategy is about keeping certain systems in the existing environment until they are ready for migration.
Comparing Services
| Service | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Direct Connect | Large, ongoing data transfers; consistent performance | Low latency; predictable performance | Setup cost; infrastructure dependent |
| AWS DataSync | Automated transfers; active datasets | Fast; automated; secure | Network dependent; costs with higher data volume |
| S3 Transfer Acceleration | Global uploads with lower latency | Fast in many geographies | Higher cost; not optimal for all locations |
| AWS Snow Family | Very large datasets; locations with limited connectivity | No network needed; secure | Physical handling; slower than online methods |
Conclusion
Selecting the right data transfer service and migration strategy is a balance between technical requirements and business objectives. While AWS offers numerous services and tools to facilitate a smooth migration, understanding the specifics of your use case is imperative. Assess your current infrastructure, business, and technical goals to determine the most appropriate data transfer service.
For instance, if you’re migrating a petabyte-scale dataset from an on-premises data center with limited network bandwidth, using AWS Snowball devices might be the best approach. On the other hand, for continually syncing data between an on-premises file system and Amazon S3 with some transformation along the way, AWS DataSync is a suitable service, which can be exemplified through its automation capabilities:
{
“TaskSchedule”: {
“ScheduleExpression”: “cron(0/5 * ? * * *)”
},
“CloudWatchLogGroupArn”: “arn:aws:logs:region:account-id:log-group:my-log-group”,
“TaskName”: “MyDataSyncTask”,
“SourceLocationArn”: “arn:aws:datasync:region:account-id:location/source-location”,
“DestinationLocationArn”: “arn:aws:datasync:region:account-id:location/destination-location”
}
Remember to also factor in your migration time frame, budget, and the requirement for minimal disruption during the migration process. Proper planning and service selection can help you achieve a secure, cost-effective, and successful migration to AWS.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: The AWS DataSync service can only transfer data between NFS-compatible file systems?
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: AWS DataSync can transfer data between AWS services (such as Amazon S3, Amazon EFS, and Amazon FSx for Windows File Server) and on-premises storage, as well as between NFS-compatible and SMB-compatible file systems.
Which AWS services would you use to migrate a database to AWS?
- A) AWS DMS
- B) AWS DataSync
- C) AWS S3 Transfer Acceleration
- D) AWS Snowball
Answer: A) AWS DMS
Explanation: AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) is specifically designed to migrate databases to AWS easily and securely.
True or False: AWS Snowball Edge supports local compute and storage capabilities besides data transfer.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: AWS Snowball Edge provides both data transfer services and local compute and storage capabilities to support hybrid workloads during migration.
Which AWS service is most suitable for transferring large amounts of data quickly using the existing internet connection?
- A) AWS Snowball
- B) AWS Direct Connect
- C) AWS S3 Transfer Acceleration
- D) AWS VPN
Answer: C) AWS S3 Transfer Acceleration
Explanation: AWS S3 Transfer Acceleration makes use of Amazon CloudFront’s globally distributed edge locations to accelerate data uploads into S3 over long distances and is suitable for use with existing internet connections.
True or False: AWS Snowmobile is a portable storage device that you can use to move petabyte-scale data into AWS.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: AWS Snowmobile is an Exabyte-scale data transfer service used to move extremely large amounts of data to AWS. It is not a portable storage device but a shipping container-sized device.
When would you typically use AWS Direct Connect?
- A) For ad-hoc data transfer needs
- B) For consistently high throughput and a private connection
- C) For a one-time large data migration over the network
- D) For temporary additional network capacity
Answer: B) For consistently high throughput and a private connection
Explanation: AWS Direct Connect provides a dedicated private connection from a location to AWS, offering higher throughput and consistent network performance.
Which migration strategy involves rehosting your applications on the cloud without making changes?
- A) Replatforming
- B) Refactoring
- C) Rehosting
- D) Retiring
Answer: C) Rehosting
Explanation: Rehosting, often known as ‘lift-and-shift,’ is a strategy where applications are moved to the cloud without modifications.
True or False: The AWS Snow family services can only transfer data into AWS, not out of AWS.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: The AWS Snow family of services, which includes AWS Snowball and AWS Snowmobile, can be used to transfer data both into and out of AWS.
When considering compliance and data sovereignty requirements, which AWS service can help ensure data is migrated securely and remains within a specific geographical region?
- A) AWS VPN
- B) AWS Direct Connect
- C) AWS Snowball Edge
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: All of these services, when configured properly, can help ensure that data is transferred securely and remains within required geographical boundaries. AWS Snowball Edge can physically transport data without crossing geolocations, while AWS VPN and AWS Direct Connect can be configured to transmit data through specific regions.
What feature does AWS S3 Transfer Acceleration use to increase file transfer speed to Amazon S3?
- A) Multi-part uploads
- B) Amazon CloudFront’s content delivery network (CDN)
- C) AWS Direct Connect
- D) Dedicated transfer protocols
Answer: B) Amazon CloudFront’s content delivery network (CDN)
Explanation: AWS S3 Transfer Acceleration leverages Amazon CloudFront’s globally distributed edge locations to accelerate uploads to Amazon S3 over long distances using optimized network paths.
True or False: When using AWS Snowcone for data transfer, you are not able to perform edge computing tasks.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: AWS Snowcone is not only designed for small-scale data transfer but also supports running edge computing workloads with AWS IoT Greengrass and Amazon EC2 instances.
Which of the following factors affect your choice of data migration service on AWS? (Select all that apply)
- A) The total volume of data to be migrated
- B) Network bandwidth available at the source location
- C) Cooling requirements for data storage on-premises
- D) The amount of downtime acceptable during migration
Answer: A) The total volume of data to be migrated, B) Network bandwidth available at the source location, D) The amount of downtime acceptable during migration
Explanation: The volume of data, network bandwidth, and acceptable downtime are critical considerations when choosing an appropriate data migration service. Cooling requirements are generally not a migration factor but rather an on-premises infrastructure consideration.
Interview Questions
Can you describe a scenario where AWS DataSync would be more appropriate than AWS Transfer Family?
AWS DataSync is more appropriate when there needs to be ongoing, automated, and accelerated transfer of data between on-premises storage and AWS services such as Amazon S3, EFS, or FSx for Windows File Server. DataSync is ideal for transferring large amounts of data and for use cases such as data migration, data protection, and data synchronization.
When would you recommend using AWS Snowball over direct data transfer services like AWS Direct Connect?
AWS Snowball is recommended when dealing with large-scale data transfers (petabyte-scale) or when the data transfer needs are one-time or infrequent. It is also ideal in environments with limited or unreliable network connectivity or when transferring data over the network would be too time-consuming or costly.
How would you determine whether to use AWS Snowcone, Snowball, or Snowmobile for a large data migration project?
The choice depends on the amount of data and the operational environment. AWS Snowcone is suitable for small-scale edge computing or data transfer jobs up to 8 TB. AWS Snowball is ideal for data transfer jobs up to petabyte-scale. For data migration tasks exceeding a petabyte and reaching exabyte-scale, AWS Snowmobile is appropriate as it is a shipping container-sized device capable of moving massive volumes of data.
In what scenarios would you opt for a lift-and-shift migration strategy using CloudEndure Migration versus a refactoring strategy for an application migration to AWS?
A lift-and-shift migration strategy with CloudEndure is suitable for quickly moving applications to AWS with minimal modification. It’s ideal when time-to-market or reducing downtime takes precedence, or when there’s a lack of resources for a full application refactoring. On the other hand, a refactoring strategy is chosen when the long-term benefits of adopting cloud-native features outweigh the initial investment in terms of cost and effort.
When migrating databases to AWS, under what circumstances would you use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) as opposed to manual database replication?
AWS DMS should be used when there is a need for continuous replication with minimal downtime, heterogeneous database migrations, or when there is insufficient expertise to manually script the replication process. It simplifies and automates the migration and is relevant for a variety of databases, including relational, NoSQL, and data warehouses.
How would AWS Transfer Family services be beneficial for businesses with strict compliance and data sovereignty requirements?
AWS Transfer Family services allow secure file transfers directly into and out of Amazon S3 or EFS using SFTP, FTPS, and FTP protocols, also supporting identity federation. This is particularly beneficial for compliance with data sovereignty and governance requirements as data residency can be ensured by storing in a specific region, and transferring over secure channels with detailed logging and user authentication.
What considerations would you take into account when choosing between an online data transfer service and an offline data transfer device?
When selecting between online and offline data transfer methods, consider the total volume of data, network bandwidth and speed, transfer time, cost constraints, security requirements, and potential network disruptions. Offline devices like AWS Snowball are preferable when online transfer is not feasible due to the aforementioned factors.
Can you explain the role of AWS Direct Connect in a hybrid cloud data transfer strategy?
AWS Direct Connect provides a dedicated network connection between on-premises infrastructure and AWS, offering more consistent network performance than standard internet-based connections. It is crucial for hybrid cloud data transfer strategies that require lower latency, increased bandwidth, and higher security for transferring sensitive data between the environments.
When would a staged migration be more appropriate than a ‘big bang’ migration to AWS, and what AWS tools would assist in this approach?
A staged migration is more suitable for large, complex environments where risks need to be minimized, allowing for progressive and controlled migration of workloads. This approach enables validation at each stage and reduces downtime. AWS tools like AWS Migration Hub, AWS Application Discovery Service, and AWS DMS can help plan, monitor, and execute a staged migration.
How do AWS services like S3 Transfer Acceleration optimize data transfer over long distances?
AWS S3 Transfer Acceleration uses Amazon CloudFront’s globally distributed edge locations to route data to the S3 bucket over an optimized network path. It is useful for improving transfer speeds when uploading over long distances or across continents.
Can you provide an example of when to use AWS Snow Family services for data transfer instead of electronic data transfer methods?
AWS Snow Family services are recommended in scenarios where transferring data electronically is neither feasible due to limited bandwidth, high network costs, or unreliable connectivity, nor efficient due to the sheer size of the data set that would require excessive time to transfer over the internet.
What role could AWS S3 Glacier play in a data migration strategy, and what type of data is best suited for it?
AWS S3 Glacier plays the role of a cost-effective storage solution for long-term archival and digital preservation as part of the data migration strategy. It is best suited for infrequently accessed data, regulatory archives, and backup and disaster recovery data. It is selected when low storage cost is a priority over immediate data retrieval needs.
Great blog post! Helped me understand the factors to consider when selecting an AWS data transfer service.
I have used AWS DataSync for a similar migration and found it very efficient.
Does anyone have experience with AWS Snowball for massive data migration?
Thanks for this tutorial! It’s very thorough.
For anyone using AWS Data Pipeline, do you find it flexible enough for complex data migration tasks?
This tutorial was quite informative. Appreciate the insights on migration strategy.
What about AWS Transfer Family for SFTP, FTPS, and FTP? Anyone with practical tips?
Good blog, but would have liked more examples on hybrid cloud scenarios.