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AWS Snowball vs. Snowmobile Tutorial

Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers two data transfer technologies called AWS Snowball and Snowmobile that assist users in moving big volumes of data into and out of the AWS cloud. Both are intended to assist users in overcoming the difficulties associated with expensive and time-consuming large-scale data transfers over the Internet. We will examine the functions and applications for both snowballs and snowmobiles in this blog article, along with some usage examples.

What is AWS Snowball?

Using AWS Snowball, you can leverage AWS computation and storage capabilities in edge locations with safe, durable devices. It can be used to move data between AWS cloud instances. AWS Snowball Edge is the device that is now available as part of the Snowball service; it has on-board processing capabilities and 40–80 TB of storage. An older physical model of storage devices was referred to as an “AWS Snowball” in the past, although AWS eventually superseded this type.

What is AWS Snowmobile?

Exabyte-scale data migration is possible thanks to a managed service called AWS Snowmobile. Big data migration from a local data center to the AWS cloud can be facilitated by the service. A snowmobile vehicle’s storage capacity is limited to 100 PB (petabytes). Multiple snowmobiles can be used to transport larger volumes of data. When AWS employees arrive at the location, they immediately connect the Snowmobile to the network backbone.

Snowball vs Snowmobile: Use Cases

FeatureAWS SnowballAWS Snowmobile
Primary Use CaseMedium-sized data migrationMassive data migration (exabytes of data)
Data Capacity80 TB to 100 TB per deviceUp to 100 PB per Snowmobile
Transfer SpeedHigh-speed, suited for moderate data setsUltra-fast for exabyte-scale data transfers
Physical SizePortable, rugged deviceSemi-truck-sized container
Delivery MethodShipped by carrier (e.g., UPS/FedEx)Transported by truck
SecurityEncryption, tamper-resistantMilitary-grade encryption, secure transport
Typical Use CasesData backup and recoveryLarge-scale data center migrations
Analytics workload data transfersMoving extensive media libraries or archives
Edge computing for remote sitesOil & gas, financial sector data migration
Cost EfficiencyIdeal for smaller, more frequent transfersEfficient for moving large volumes of data
IndustriesMedia, healthcare, IoT, researchEnterprise-level sectors like finance, energy

Snowball vs Snowmobile: Work Process

FeatureAWS SnowballAWS Snowmobile
Primary Use CaseData migration, transfer, and edge computingLarge-scale data migration (exabytes of data)
Data Capacity80 TB to 100 TB per deviceUp to 100 PB (petabytes) per Snowmobile
Data Transfer SpeedHigh-speed, up to 100 TB per SnowballExtremely high-speed, suitable for exabyte-scale
Physical SizePortable device (rugged and secure)Truck-sized container
Transport MethodDelivered by shipping carriers (e.g., UPS)Transported via semi-truck
Security FeaturesEncryption, tamper-resistant, sealed deviceMilitary-grade security, encrypted data transport
Key Use CasesData backup for disaster recoveryMigrations for large data lakes
Moving small or medium datasets for analyticsLarge media archives
Edge computing for remote locationsData center migrations
IndustriesMedia & Entertainment, IoT data collectionLarge enterprises like oil & gas, media, and finance
Healthcare for Genomic Data
Cost EfficiencyMore cost-effective for smaller data sizesCost-effective for moving vast amounts of data
Deployment TimeQuick and easy deployment within daysRequires planning, but can handle massive datasets

AWS Professional Services with SupportFly

SupportFly’s expert and certified team members are available 24×7 to provide support, solutions, and consulting services for AWS server management and cloud infrastructure management.

Server Configuration & Setup: Getting your server configuration and setup right is crucial for a successful AWS deployment. Our experts ensure your AWS environment is optimized for performance, security, and scalability.

AWS Consulting: Our AWS Consulting Services provide you with the expertise and insights needed to harness the full potential of AWS. Whether you need assistance with architecture design, application migration, or performance optimization,.

AWS Migration & Transfer: Migrating your applications and data to AWS requires meticulous planning and execution. Our AWS Migration & Transfer services ensure a smooth and efficient migration process, minimizing downtime and disruption.

AWS DevOps Automation: DevOps is the key to achieving speed, efficiency, and collaboration in the cloud. Our AWS DevOps Automation services streamline your development workflows, enabling continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.

AWS Monitoring and Support: Keep your AWS environment running at peak performance with our AWS Monitoring and Support services. Our experts provide 24×7 monitoring, real-time alerts, and swift incident response to ensure your AWS infrastructure remains healthy and secure.

AWS Cost Optimization: Cost optimization is a critical aspect of cloud management. Our AWS Cost Optimization services analyze your AWS usage, identify cost-saving opportunities, and implement strategies to maximize your AWS investment without compromising performance.

AWS Backup and Disaster Recovery:   Data loss and downtime can be catastrophic for businesses. Our AWS Backup and Disaster Recovery services ensure your data is protected and your applications can quickly recover from any disruptions, keeping your business operations running smoothly.

CI/CD Pipeline on AWS:  Deploying code quickly and safely is essential for agility in the cloud. Our CI/CD Pipeline on AWS services help you set up efficient and automated release pipelines, enabling rapid and reliable software delivery.

AWS Security Support: Security is our top priority. Our AWS Security Support services implement robust security measures, provide ongoing monitoring, and offer expert guidance to keep your AWS environment protected against potential threats.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, both AWS Snowball and Snowmobile are powerful data transfer solutions that can help customers overcome the challenges of transferring large amounts of data over the Internet. Snowball is ideal for small-scale data migration, while Snowmobile is ideal for extremely large-scale data migration. 

Snowball offers flexibility and cost efficiency for frequent, smaller transfers, making it perfect for businesses dealing with terabytes of data. On the other hand, Snowmobile is designed to handle petabyte and exabyte-level migrations, saving significant time and resources. Both services ensure secure, encrypted data transfer, providing scalable solutions to meet varying data transfer needs across industries.