AWS Snowball Edge is an extension of the AWS Snowball service, designed to handle more diverse use cases beyond traditional data transfer. While both Snowball and Snowball Edge devices facilitate offline data transfer, Snowball Edge devices offer additional capabilities and features that make them suitable for edge computing, data processing, and storage in remote or disconnected environments. Here’s an overview of Snowball Edge and how it differs from the standard Snowball:
1. Data Transfer and Storage:
Standard Snowball:
- Standard Snowball devices are primarily focused on offline data transfer. They provide a secure and efficient way to transfer large volumes of data between on-premises environments and AWS.
Snowball Edge:
- Snowball Edge devices include all the capabilities of standard Snowball devices for data transfer, but they also offer onboard storage and compute capabilities. This allows them to perform data processing and analysis tasks at the edge before transferring data to AWS.
2. Compute Capabilities:
Standard Snowball:
- Standard Snowball devices do not include onboard compute capabilities. They are used solely for data transfer and storage.
Snowball Edge:
- Snowball Edge devices feature onboard compute resources, such as CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), enabling them to run applications and perform data processing tasks locally at the edge.
3. Use Cases:
Standard Snowball:
- Standard Snowball devices are typically used for offline data transfer, data migration, backup, and disaster recovery scenarios where network bandwidth is limited or unreliable.
Snowball Edge:
- Snowball Edge devices are suitable for a broader range of use cases, including edge computing, IoT (Internet of Things) data collection and processing, machine learning inference at the edge, video processing, and content distribution.
4. Connectivity:
Standard Snowball:
- Standard Snowball devices require network connectivity to transfer data between on-premises environments and AWS. They do not operate autonomously and rely on external systems for data processing.
Snowball Edge:
- Snowball Edge devices can operate in disconnected or intermittently connected environments. They have built-in networking capabilities, such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and LTE, allowing them to communicate with other devices and AWS services independently.
5. Integration with AWS Services:
Standard Snowball:
- Standard Snowball devices integrate with various AWS storage services, such as Amazon S3 and Amazon Glacier, for data transfer and storage.
Snowball Edge:
- Snowball Edge devices support additional AWS services beyond storage, including AWS Lambda, Amazon EC2, Amazon EBS, and Amazon S3-compatible object storage, enabling edge computing and data processing workflows.
6. Storage Options:
Standard Snowball:
- Standard Snowball devices offer high-capacity storage for data transfer purposes only. They do not provide local storage for persistent data storage or processing.
Snowball Edge:
- Snowball Edge devices offer both transferable storage for data transfer and onboard storage for local data storage and processing. They typically provide storage capacities ranging from tens to hundreds of terabytes.
AWS Snowball Edge extends the capabilities of the standard Snowball service by combining data transfer and storage with onboard compute resources. Snowball Edge devices are designed for edge computing and data processing at the network edge, enabling organizations to perform data analysis, run applications, and execute workflows in disconnected or remote environments before transferring data to AWS.
