AWS Storage Gateway is a service that connects an on-premises IT infrastructure to the AWS cloud to enable virtually limitless cloud storage. It provides multiple data storage interfaces that can be used to securely manage and move data between on-premises infrastructure and the AWS cloud. In Chapter 69 of this guide, we'll focus on configuring the AWS Storage Gateway.
Introduction to AWS Storage Gateway
AWS Storage Gateway supports three types of gateways - File Gateway, Volume Gateway, and Tape Gateway. Each gateway type provides different interfaces and is used for different use cases. File Gateway allows you to store and retrieve objects directly from your S3 storage using standard file interfaces. Volume Gateway provides block storage using iSCSI. Tape Gateway provides a virtual tape interface (VTL) for archiving data.
Configuring AWS Storage Gateway
To set up AWS Storage Gateway, you first need to create an AWS account if you don't already have one. Next, you need to choose the type of gateway that best suits your needs.
Once you've chosen your gateway type, you need to download and install the AWS Storage Gateway appliance on a host in your on-premises infrastructure. The gateway appliance is software that implements the storage interfaces and connects to the AWS Storage Gateway service in the AWS cloud.
After installing the gateway appliance, you need to activate it and associate it with your AWS account. During activation, you need to provide some information such as the gateway type, gateway name, and the AWS Region in which the gateway should be activated.
Once enabled, you can start configuring the local storage that will be used by the gateway. Local storage is used for caching and buffering upload storage. Caching is used to store recently read and written data for quick access. Buffer upload storage is used to store data being prepared for upload to the AWS cloud.
Configuring File Gateway
To configure File Gateway, you need to create a file share on the gateway appliance. A file share is an association between an S3 bucket and a local folder on the gateway appliance. When you create a file share, you need to provide the S3 bucket name and local folder path.
Once the file share is created, you can start moving data to the AWS cloud. You can move data to the AWS cloud by copying it to the local folder associated with the file share. Data copied to the local folder is automatically synced to the associated S3 bucket.
Configuring the Volume Gateway
To configure Volume Gateway, you need to create iSCSI volumes on the gateway appliance. An iSCSI volume is a block storage device that can be mounted on a local server using the iSCSI protocol.
Once you've created an iSCSI volume, you can start moving data to the AWS cloud. You can move data to the AWS cloud by writing it to the iSCSI volume. Data written to the iSCSI volume is automatically synchronized with the AWS cloud.
Configuring Tape Gateway
To configure Tape Gateway, you need to create virtual tapes on the gateway appliance. A virtual tape is a tape storage device that can be used by a local backup application to archive data.
Once you've created a virtual tape, you can start moving data to the AWS cloud. You can move data to the AWS cloud by writing it to virtual tape. Data written to the virtual tape is automatically synchronized with the AWS cloud.
In short, the AWS Storage Gateway provides an efficient and secure way to move data between your on-premises infrastructure and the AWS cloud. With the proper setup, you can take advantage of virtually unlimited AWS cloud storage to meet your data storage needs.
