AWS Storage Gateway

File Gateway allows your on-premises applications to use Amazon S3 as if it were a local network file share. It supports both SMB and NFS protocols, making it compatible with various applications. It uses local caching to keep frequently accessed files nearby for quick access, while most data stays in S3. This is especially useful for file-based applications, document sharing, or backups.

Volume Gateway provides block storage to on-premises applications through iSCSI devices, bridging traditional storage needs with cloud capabilities. With Cached Volumes, most of your data is stored in S3, caching only what's needed for regular access, reducing costs while maintaining performance. Stored Volumes keep all data on-site with periodic backups to S3, ideal for environments where data needs to be local but protected against disasters.

Tape Gateway is perfect for organizations using tape-based backup systems. It turns tape storage into a virtual format, allowing you to keep using your current backup software while storing data in S3 or Glacier. This method reduces the hassle of managing physical tapes and allows for scalable storage without physical limits or costs.

Additional Features:

• Security: Integrates with AWS IAM;
• Monitoring: Uses AWS CloudWatch;
• Data Protection: Managed through AWS Backup;
• Performance: Enhanced by local caching to reduce network delays;
• Deployment: Can be set up in both physical and virtual environments like VMware or Hyper-V;
• Management: Simplified via the AWS Management Console or CLI, with automatic updates.

When using Storage Gateway, managing bandwidth is important to avoid performance issues. For moving existing data, tools like AWS DataSync help with efficient bulk transfers, ensuring a smooth shift to a hybrid storage setup.