Includes

Powerful short notes on Amazon AWS Storage Services ​

29 frequently asked Storage interview questions answers​
5 real-world scenario-based Route 53 questions

Powerful short notes on Amazon AWS Storage

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Types Of Storage
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1.​ Amazon Elastic Block Store (Amazon EBS)

2.​ Amazon Elastic File System (Amazon EFS)
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3.​ Amazon FSx for Windows File Server

4.​ Amazon FSx for Lustre
5.​ AWS Storage Gateway
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6.​ AWS Backup

7.​ AWS Snow Family
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8.​ Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) (already provided in another
post)

comparison of Amazon EBS, Amazon EFS, Amazon FSx for Windows File Server, and
Amazon FSx for Lustre

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 Amazon Elastic Block Store (Amazon EBS)

What is Amazon EBS?

●​ Elastic Block Store (EBS) is a scalable, high-performance block storage service for
Amazon EC2 instances.​

●​ It provides persistent, low-latency storage for data, even after the instance is
stopped or terminated.​

●​ EBS volumes are like virtual hard drives attached to EC2 instances.​

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Key Features of EBS

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1. Durability
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○ Data is replicated within an Availability Zone (AZ) to prevent loss.
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2. Scalability
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○ Volumes can be resized, and performance adjusted as needed.

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3. Flexibility
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○ Multiple volume types for different use cases (e.g., SSD for high speed, HDD
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for large storage).
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4. Backup and Recovery
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○ Supports snapshots for backup and quick recovery.

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5. High Availability
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○ Data is automatically replicated within the same AZ to avoid data loss.
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6. Security
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○ Data is encrypted at rest and in transit, with AWS Key Management Service
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(KMS) support.
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Types of EBS Volumes

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 1.​ General Purpose SSD (gp3, gp2)​

○​ Balanced performance and cost.​

○​ gp3 is the latest version, with lower cost and better baseline performance.​

2.​ Provisioned IOPS SSD (io2, io1)​

○​ High-performance for latency-sensitive, critical apps.​

3.​ Throughput Optimized HDD (st1)​

○​ Low-cost for large, sequential workloads (e.g., big data).​

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4.​ Cold HDD (sc1)​

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○​ Lowest-cost for infrequently accessed, large datasets.​

5.​ Magnetic (Deprecated)​ an

○​ Older, legacy volumes (not recommended for new workloads).​
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EBS Volume Performance

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● IOPS (Input/Output Operations per Second) and throughput depend on volume

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type and size.
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● gp3 allows users to adjust IOPS and throughput independently.

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● io2 and io1 provide the highest performance with guaranteed consistency.
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Snapshots

● Snapshots are point-in-time backups of EBS volumes stored in Amazon S3.

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● They are incremental, meaning only changed blocks are saved, reducing storage
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costs.
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● Snapshots can be shared across regions and accounts.
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Encryption

●​ Data is encrypted using AES-256 and managed through AWS KMS.​

●​ Encryption covers data at rest, in transit between EC2 and EBS, and all
snapshots.​

Pricing

● Charges are based on storage size, IOPS, throughput, and data transfer.
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● Snapshots are charged separately based on the data stored.
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Use Cases
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1. Databases - Low-latency storage for database applications.
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2. Data Warehousing - High-throughput storage for analytics.
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3. File Systems - Persistent storage for file systems like Amazon EFS.
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4. Backup and Recovery - Reliable snapshots for disaster recovery.

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Limitations
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● Volumes are tied to a single AZ.

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● Cannot be directly accessed from the internet.
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● Snapshots incur additional costs.
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Best Practices

1. Use gp3 for general workloads for cost savings.

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 2.​ Use io2 for critical, high-performance applications.​

3.​ Regularly back up data using snapshots.​

4.​ Use encryption for sensitive data.​

5.​ Monitor and adjust performance based on application needs.​

Conclusion

● Amazon EBS is a powerful, flexible storage solution for EC2 instances, providing
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high durability, scalability, and performance options to meet diverse application
needs.

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Amazon Elastic File System (Amazon EFS)

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What is Amazon EFS?

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● Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) is a scalable and managed file storage
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service for AWS.
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● It is designed to be shared among multiple EC2 instances.

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● Works like a network file system (NFS) that can be mounted on Linux instances.
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● Ideal for highly available and durable file storage.
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Key Features of EFS

1. Elastic and Scalable

​
​
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 ○​ Automatically grows and shrinks as you add or remove files.​

○​ No need to manage capacity manually.​

2.​ Highly Available and Durable​

○​ Data is stored across multiple Availability Zones (AZs), providing

redundancy.​

3.​ Shared Access​

○​ Multiple EC2 instances can access the same file system simultaneously.​

4.​ Cost-Effective​

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○​ Pay only for the storage you use.​

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○​ Supports Lifecycle Management to move data to lower-cost storage classes.​

5.​ Integrated with AWS Services​

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○​ Works seamlessly with EC2, AWS Lambda, and on-premises servers using
AWS Direct Connect or VPN.​
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6.​ Secure​

○​ Supports encryption at rest and in transit.​

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○​ Uses AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) for permissions.​

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Storage Classes in EFS

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1. Standard
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○ Default class for frequently accessed data.
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2. Infrequent Access (IA)
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○ Lower-cost for data that is not accessed often.
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○ Automatic lifecycle policies can move data between Standard and IA.
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Performance Modes

1.​ General Purpose​

○​ Low latency for common use cases like web serving.​

2.​ Max I/O​

○​ High throughput for large, distributed workloads.​

Throughput Modes

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1. Bursting Throughput
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○ Suitable for most workloads, automatically scales with file system size.
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2. Provisioned Throughput
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○ Manually set throughput for consistent performance, regardless of file
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system size.
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How to Use Amazon EFS

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1. Create a File System

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○ Go to the AWS Console > EFS > Create File System.
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2. Configure Mount Targets

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○ Specify VPC and subnets for mounting.

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3. Mount on EC2 Instances
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○ Use the EFS mount helper or standard NFS client.
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4. Access the File System
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○ Multiple EC2 instances can read and write simultaneously.
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Common Use Cases

1.​ Web Serving​

○​ Store and serve web content across multiple servers.​

2.​ Big Data and Analytics​

○​ Share large data sets between processing instances.​

3.​ Container Storage​

○​ Use with Kubernetes for persistent volume storage.​

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4.​ Content Management​

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○​ Store multimedia files for content-rich applications.​

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Pricing
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● Charged based on the storage used and throughput mode.

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● Data transfer charges may apply when accessing across AZs.
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Limitations
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● Only works with Linux-based instances (no Windows support).

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● Requires NFSv4.1 for mounting.
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● Performance may vary depending on the mode and usage pattern.
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Best Practices

1. Use Lifecycle Management to automatically move data to Infrequent Access (IA).

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2. Enable encryption to secure sensitive data.
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 3.​ Monitor file system usage with AWS CloudWatch.​

4.​ Use IAM policies to control access.​

5.​ Choose the right performance mode based on workload requirements.​

Conclusion

● Amazon EFS is an ideal solution when you need shared, scalable file storage for
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Linux workloads.
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● Its ability to automatically scale and provide multi-AZ availability makes it suitable
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for many applications, from simple web hosting to complex data processing.

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Amazon FSx for Windows File Server

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What is Amazon FSx for Windows File Server?

● Amazon FSx for Windows File Server is a fully managed Windows file system
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that’s designed to run Windows-based applications.
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● It provides a shared file storage solution for Windows environments and is fully
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compatible with the Windows Server file system.
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● It works similarly to traditional on-premises Windows file servers but with the
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benefits of being hosted on AWS, like scalability, durability, and high availability.
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Key Features of Amazon FSx for Windows File Server

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 1.​ Fully Managed​

○​ AWS takes care of hardware provisioning, software patching, and backup

management.​

2.​ Windows File System​

○​ Compatible with SMB (Server Message Block), the standard protocol used
by Windows for file sharing.​

3.​ Active Directory (AD) Integration​

○​ Easily integrates with Microsoft Active Directory (AD) for user

authentication and access control.​

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4.​ Scalable and Elastic​

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○​ Automatically scales storage capacity as your needs grow.​

5.​ High Availability​

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○​ Data is automatically replicated within an Availability Zone and can also be
set up across multiple AZs for disaster recovery.​
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6.​ Backup and Recovery​

○​ Supports automatic backups that can be restored to a specific point in time.​

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7.​ Data Encryption​

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○​ Data is encrypted at rest and in transit, ensuring that files are securely
stored.​
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How It Works

1. Create a File System

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○ You can create a new Amazon FSx file system through the AWS Console or
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CLI, choosing your desired performance and storage options.
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2. Access the File System
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○ Once created, you can mount the file system to your Windows instances
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using SMB protocol.
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 3.​ Configure Access Control​

○​ Use Active Directory to set permissions and user roles for the file system.​

4.​ Share Files​

○​ Multiple Windows EC2 instances or on-premises servers can access the

same file system simultaneously.​

Use Cases for Amazon FSx for Windows File Server

1. Enterprise Applications

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○ Store application data for Windows-based applications like Microsoft SQL

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Server.
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2. File Sharing for Windows Users
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○ Provide shared file storage for Windows workstations and servers.
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3. Home Directories
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○ Store user home directories that can be accessed from different Windows
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instances.
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4. Backup for Windows Applications
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○ Use FSx for Windows File Server as a backup solution for enterprise
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applications or data sets.
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Performance

● Amazon FSx for Windows File Server offers multiple performance options:
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1. SSD Storage – High-performance, low-latency storage for applications
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needing faster access.
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2. HDD Storage – Lower-cost option for general-purpose file storage.
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● You can choose throughput capacity (measured in MB/s) based on your workload.
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Pricing

●​ Charges are based on:​

1.​ Storage Capacity – You pay for the amount of storage you use (measured in
GB).​

2.​ Data Transfer – You are charged for data transferred out of the file system.​

3.​ Backup Storage – Backup data is also charged.​

●​ SSD storage is more expensive compared to HDD storage but provides better
performance.​

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Security

● Data Encryption
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○ Automatically encrypts data at rest (in the storage) and in transit (during
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access).
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● Access Control
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○ Leverages Active Directory (AD) to control who can access the file system
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and what actions they can perform (read, write, etc.).

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● VPC Integration
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○ The file system is deployed within your VPC, providing network security and
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isolation.
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Limitations

1. Platform Restriction
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○ Amazon FSx for Windows File Server is Windows-only and not suitable for
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Linux-based applications.
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2. Windows Licensing
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○ You will need to ensure your Windows Server licenses are in place for the
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instances accessing the FSx file system.
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 3.​ Not for Large-Scale Web Hosting​

○​ Best suited for enterprise-level file sharing, not for serving large-scale web
hosting or database hosting.​

Best Practices

1. Backup Regularly
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○ Schedule automatic backups to ensure data protection.
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2. Monitor Storage

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○ Use AWS CloudWatch to monitor storage usage and performance metrics.

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3. Integrate with Active Directory
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○
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Always integrate with Active Directory to manage user access securely.
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4. Optimize for Performance
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○ Choose the appropriate storage type and performance mode based on

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your application’s needs.
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Conclusion

● Amazon FSx for Windows File Server is a great solution for organizations that
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need Windows-based file storage in the cloud with easy integration into Windows
environments.
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● It offers scalability, high availability, and security features, making it suitable for
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enterprise applications, file sharing, and backup scenarios.

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Amazon FSx for Lustre

What is Amazon FSx for Lustre?

●​ Amazon FSx for Lustre is a fully managed, high-performance file system

designed for workloads that require fast storage.​

●​ It is based on the Lustre file system, which is commonly used for

high-performance computing (HPC), machine learning (ML), big data
processing, and similar applications that need to handle large amounts of data
quickly.​

●​ It integrates with Amazon S3, allowing you to link it with your S3 storage for fast
access to your data.​

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Key Features of Amazon FSx for Lustre
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1. High Performance
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○ FSx for Lustre offers low-latency, high-throughput performance suitable for
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data-intensive applications.
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○ It is ideal for applications like video rendering, scientific simulations, and
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financial modeling that require fast data processing.
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2. Scalability
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○ You can scale up or scale down storage as needed to meet your workload’s
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demands.
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3. Integration with Amazon S3
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○ It can be easily linked with Amazon S3 to access S3 data as if it were part of

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the Lustre file system.
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4. Fully Managed
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○ AWS manages hardware, software, and patching, so you don’t need to
​
handle maintenance.
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5. Cost-Effective
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○ You only pay for the storage and throughput capacity you use, making it a
​
flexible and cost-effective solution.
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 6.​ Data Encryption​

○​ Supports encryption at rest and in transit, providing security for sensitive

data.​

How It Works

1. Create an FSx for Lustre File System

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○ You can create an FSx for Lustre file system using the AWS Console or CLI.
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○ Choose the desired storage capacity and throughput capacity based on
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your needs.
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2. Mount the File System
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○ You can mount the file system on your EC2 instances (Linux-based).
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3. Link with Amazon S3
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○ You can link the FSx for Lustre file system to Amazon S3 to access data
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stored in S3 as if it were stored in FSx for Lustre.
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4. Access the File System
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○ Once mounted, your EC2 instances can read and write to the file system.
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Use Cases for Amazon FSx for Lustre

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1. High-Performance Computing (HPC)

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○ Suitable for scientific research, simulations, and other compute-heavy
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applications.
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2. Machine Learning (ML) and AI
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○ Supports training large models and processing large datasets for machine
​
learning.
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3. Big Data Analytics
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 ○​ Used for applications like data warehousing and big data processing
where fast access to large volumes of data is required.​

4.​ Media and Entertainment​

○​ Used for video rendering, animation production, and other media

workloads that require high-speed data access.​

Performance

● Throughput: FSx for Lustre can provide up to 100 GB/s of throughput and
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millions of IOPS, making it suitable for data-heavy applications.

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● Scalable: You can scale storage and throughput independently to meet specific

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performance needs.
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● Low Latency: Offers very low-latency data access, which is crucial for fast
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processing of large datasets.
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Pricing
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● Charges are based on:

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1. Storage Capacity – You pay for the storage used (measured in GB).
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2. Throughput Capacity – You pay for the throughput (measured in MB/s).
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3. Data Transfer – Charges may apply for data transferred out of the file
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system.
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● SSD storage is typically used to ensure high performance for data-intensive
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applications.
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Security

● Encryption
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○ Data is encrypted at rest (when stored) and in transit (when moved).
​
​
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 ●​ Access Control​

○​ Integrates with IAM for controlling who can access the file system.​

○​ Permissions can be set for Linux EC2 instances accessing the file system.​

●​ VPC Integration​

○​ FSx for Lustre is deployed within your Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) for
network isolation and security.​

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Limitations

1. Linux Only

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○ FSx for Lustre is designed for Linux-based applications and EC2 instances.
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2. Storage Type
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○ Primarily intended for high-performance workloads and may not be ideal for
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general file storage needs.

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3. Not a Long-Term Storage Solution
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○ While great for fast processing, it is not designed for long-term storage like
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Amazon S3 or Amazon EFS.
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Best Practices
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1. Integrate with S3
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○ Use FSx for Lustre with Amazon S3 for a hybrid storage solution where you
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process and analyze data in FSx for Lustre and store results in S3.
​
2. Monitor Performance
​
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○ Use AWS CloudWatch to monitor throughput, latency, and storage usage
​
to ensure optimal performance.
​
3. Backup Data Regularly
​
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 ○​ Regularly backup data to Amazon S3 or another storage service to ensure
protection.​

Conclusion

● Amazon FSx for Lustre is an excellent choice for high-performance computing

​
(HPC), machine learning, big data, and media applications that need fast access
to large amounts of data.​
● With its scalability, high throughput, and integration with S3, it provides a
​
powerful storage solution for data-intensive workloads

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 AWS Storage Gateway

What is AWS Storage Gateway?

●​ AWS Storage Gateway is a hybrid cloud storage service that connects your
on-premises applications or data centers to AWS cloud storage.​

●​ It allows you to use AWS storage services like S3, EBS, or Glacier while still
keeping some data on your local systems for quick access.​

●​ It's great for businesses that want to store data in the cloud but need local access
to some data for performance reasons.​

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Key Features of AWS Storage Gateway

1. Hybrid Storage Solution

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○ Bridges your on-premises storage with cloud storage to create a seamless
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experience.
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2. Secure
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○ All data is encrypted in transit and at rest, ensuring security.
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3. Cost-Effective
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○ Pay only for the cloud storage you use and avoid the cost of managing
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on-premises storage.
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4. Scalable
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○ Scale up or down easily without worrying about managing physical hardware.

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5. Automatic Synchronization
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○ Automatically syncs your data between on-premises and cloud storage.
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6. Supports Multiple Storage Types
​
​
○ Can integrate with S3, EBS, and Glacier for different storage needs (e.g., for
​
backups or archives).
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Types of Storage Gateway

1.​ File Gateway​

○​ Used for storing files in Amazon S3 while keeping a local copy for fast
access.​

○​ It acts like a file server on your network that automatically syncs with the
cloud.​

○​ Best for file-based applications, like web apps or content management

systems.​

2.​ Volume Gateway​

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○​ Provides block-level storage that you can use with EC2 instances or

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on-premises applications.​

○​ Can use either cached volumes (storing the most recent data on-premises)
or stored volumes (keeping the entire dataset locally).​
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3.​ Tape Gateway​
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○​ A virtual tape library (VTL) that allows you to back up data to Amazon S3
Glacier for long-term, low-cost archival storage.​

○​ Ideal for backup solutions and for businesses migrating from traditional tape
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backups.​
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How AWS Storage Gateway Works

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1. Install the Gateway

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○ You install a virtual appliance on your on-premises server or use an existing
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server.
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2. Configure the Gateway
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○ Connect the gateway to your AWS account and configure it to link with S3,
​
EBS, or Glacier.
​
3. Data Sync
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 ○​ The gateway syncs your on-premises data with the AWS cloud storage
service.​

4.​ Access Your Data​

○​ You can access the data from your on-premises systems or directly from the
cloud, depending on how it’s set up.​

Common Use Cases for AWS Storage Gateway

1. Backup and Archiving

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○ Back up data from on-premises systems to Amazon S3 or S3 Glacier for
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long-term storage and easy access.

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2. Disaster Recovery
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○ Use the gateway to replicate data to the cloud as a backup in case your
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on-premises systems fail.
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3. File Sharing
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○ Share and store files across multiple locations while ensuring data is synced
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to the cloud for additional safety.
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4. Hybrid Cloud Storage
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○ Businesses with both on-premises and cloud infrastructure can seamlessly

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manage their data across both environments.
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Pricing

● Pay as you go based on the amount of data stored and transferred.

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​
● File Gateway charges for the amount of data stored in S3.
​
​
● Volume Gateway charges for the amount of data stored in EBS volumes.
​
​
● Tape Gateway charges for virtual tapes stored in Glacier.
​
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Security

●​ Encryption: Data is encrypted both in transit (when moving between on-premises

and the cloud) and at rest (when stored in AWS).​

●​ Access Control: Use IAM roles to control who can access your data on the AWS
cloud.​

●​ Audit Logs: AWS CloudTrail can be used to track and log access to the gateway and
its data.​

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Benefits of AWS Storage Gateway

1. Hybrid Flexibility

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○ Lets you combine both on-premises and cloud storage to get the best of
​
both worlds.
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2. Reduced Costs
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​
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○ Save money on physical hardware and local storage by moving data to the
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cloud while still keeping some data locally for speed.
​
3. Easy Integration
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​
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○ Works well with other AWS services like S3, EBS, and Glacier, making it
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simple to build a comprehensive cloud storage solution.

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4. Simple Management
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○ No need to worry about managing hardware, as AWS handles most of the

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maintenance for you.

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Limitations

1. Requires Internet Connection

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○ A stable internet connection is needed for syncing data between on-premises
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systems and the cloud.
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2. Not for All Data Types
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 ○​ Best suited for file-based data, block-level data, and backup data.​

3.​ Cloud Storage Dependent​

○​ While it helps with hybrid cloud setups, it still relies on AWS cloud storage for
long-term data storage.​

Conclusion

● AWS Storage Gateway is a great solution for businesses that need to extend their
​
on-premises storage to the cloud.
​
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● It’s perfect for backups, disaster recovery, and hybrid cloud storage while helping
​
you save costs and improve scalability.

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​
● With simple setup and automatic syncing, it lets you focus on your applications
​
while AWS takes care of your storage needs.
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 AWS Backup

What is AWS Backup?

●​ AWS Backup is a cloud service that helps you automatically back up your data
from AWS services (like EC2, EBS, RDS, and DynamoDB) to keep it safe.​

●​ It helps protect your data in case something goes wrong, like an accidental deletion
or system failure, by making copies (backups) and storing them in the cloud.​

●​ It’s a centralized service, meaning you can manage backups for multiple AWS
services in one place, instead of doing it separately for each service.​

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Key Features of AWS Backup

1. Automated Backups
​
​
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○ AWS Backup can schedule backups automatically, so you don’t have to do
​
it manually every time.
​
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2. Centralized Management
​
​
○ You can manage and monitor all your backups in one place using the AWS
​
Backup Console.
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3. Backup of Multiple AWS Services
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​
​
○ It supports backups for various AWS services like EC2, EBS, RDS,
​
DynamoDB, EFS, and more.
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​
4. Data Retention
​
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○ You can set how long to keep your backups. You can delete backups
​
automatically after a set period.
​
5. Cross-Region Backups
​
​
○ You can back up your data to different AWS regions for added safety. This
​
helps protect your data in case of regional issues.
​
6. Data Encryption
​
​
○ Backups are encrypted to keep your data secure, both when it's stored and
​
when it's being transferred.
​
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How AWS Backup Works

1. Set Up a Backup Plan

​
​
○ You create a backup plan that defines what data to back up, when to back it
​
up, and how long to keep it.

​
2. Choose the Resources to Back Up
​
​
○ You select the AWS resources (like EC2, EBS, RDS) that you want to back
​
up.
​
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3. Schedule and Automate Backups
​
​
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○ AWS Backup automatically creates backups based on your backup plan’s
​
schedule.
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4. Monitor Backups
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​
​
○ You can check the status of your backups in the AWS Backup Console and
​
get alerts if anything goes wrong.
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5. Restore Data
​
​
○ If something happens and you need to recover your data, you can easily
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restore it from the backup.
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Common Use Cases for AWS Backup

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1. Data Protection
​
​
○ Protect your data from accidental deletions, failures, or corruption by
​
regularly backing it up.
​
2. Disaster Recovery
​
​
○ In case of a system failure or other disasters, you can restore your data from
​
backups to quickly recover your applications.
​
3. Compliance and Auditing
​
​
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 ○​ For businesses with legal or regulatory requirements, AWS Backup helps
you store backups for specific periods to meet compliance needs.​

4.​ Backup for Different AWS Services​

○​ Backup EC2 instances, RDS databases, and EBS volumes with ease,
without needing to worry about each service separately.​

Pricing

● You pay for:

​
​
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1. Backup Storage: The amount of data stored in your backups.
​
​
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2. Backup Jobs: The number of backup and restore operations you perform.
​
​
● Pricing varies depending on the AWS region, the services you back up, and the
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storage used.
​
● You can also choose to store backups in Glacier for cheaper long-term storage.
​
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Security
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● Encryption: Your backups are encrypted to keep them safe.

​
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● Access Control: You can control who has access to your backups using AWS IAM
​
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(Identity and Access Management).

​
● Compliance: AWS Backup meets compliance standards like HIPAA, GDPR, and
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​
more, ensuring your backups are handled securely.
​
Benefits of AWS Backup

1. Simplified Backup Management

​
​
○ No need to manage backups manually for each AWS service. Everything is
​
done in one place.
​
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 2.​ Automation​

○​ AWS Backup automatically creates and manages backups, so you don’t have
to remember to do it.​

3.​ Scalability​

○​ You can back up data for small or large-scale applications without worrying
about storage limits.​

4.​ Cost-Effective​

○​ You only pay for the storage you use, and you can save costs by storing old
backups in Amazon Glacier.​

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Limitations an
1. Not All Services Supported
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​
○ Not every AWS service is supported for backup by AWS Backup, although
​
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many important ones are.

​
2. Backup Time
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​
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○ Large amounts of data may take some time to back up, so scheduling is
​
important to avoid disruptions.
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Conclusion
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● AWS Backup is an easy and automated way to protect your data across AWS
​
services.
​
● It helps you back up your resources, automate backup schedules, and restore
​
data when needed, all in one place.
​
● It’s especially useful for data protection, disaster recovery, and compliance.
​
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 AWS Snow Family

What is AWS Snow Family?

●​ The AWS Snow Family is a group of physical devices provided by Amazon Web
Services (AWS) that help you move large amounts of data to and from the cloud.​

●​ It’s designed for situations where internet speeds are too slow, or transferring large
data over the network is too time-consuming.​

●​ These devices can be used for data transfer, edge computing, and disaster
recovery.​

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Key Members of the AWS Snow Family

1. AWS Snowcone
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​
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○ Smallest device in the Snow Family.
​
​
○ It can store up to 8 terabytes of data.
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​
​
○ Best for small-scale data transfer or edge computing in places with limited
​
space or power.
​
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○ It’s portable and easy to use, ideal for remote locations or disconnected
​
environments.
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2. AWS Snowball
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○ A larger device compared to Snowcone, with the ability to store up to 50

​
terabytes (or more, depending on the model).
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○ Best for moving large amounts of data from on-premises data centers to
​
AWS.
​
○ It’s robust and can be used for data migration, backup, and disaster
​
recovery.
​
○ You can use multiple Snowball devices to transfer huge datasets in parallel.
​
​
3. AWS Snowmobile
​
​
○ The biggest device in the Snow Family.
​
​
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 ○​ It is a trailer that can store up to 100 petabytes of data!​

○​ This is used for extremely large data transfers, like moving entire data
centers to the cloud.​

○​ It's designed for large businesses or industries needing to transfer massive

data in one go, like in media, healthcare, or financial services.​

How AWS Snow Family Works

1. Order the Device

​
​
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○ You request a Snow Family device through the AWS Management Console.
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​
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2. Receive the Device
​
​
○ AWS ships the physical device to your location.
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​
​
3. Load Data onto the Device
​
​
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○ You transfer your data (e.g., from servers, storage devices) onto the Snow
​
Family device.
​
4. Send the Device Back
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​
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○ Once your data is loaded, you send the device back to AWS.
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5. AWS Uploads to Cloud

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○ AWS then uploads your data to the AWS cloud (like S3, EBS, or Glacier) for
​
you.
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Why Use AWS Snow Family?

1. Fast and Efficient Data Transfer

​
​
○ Moving large data via the internet can take too long. With Snow Family, you
​
can transfer data physically, which is faster and more reliable.
​
2. Cost-Effective
​
​
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 ○​ For large data transfers, using Snow Family can often be cheaper than trying
to upload it via the internet, especially for very large datasets.​

3.​ No Need for Internet Connection​

○​ You don’t need a fast internet connection. Snow Family devices are ideal for
places with poor internet or no internet access.​

4.​ Secure Data Transfer​

○​ The devices are encrypted, so your data is safe during transit.​

○​ The data is also protected with a password and identity verification.​

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Common Use Cases for AWS Snow Family

1. Large Data Migrations

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​
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○ Moving massive data sets (e.g., from on-premises data centers or backups)
​
to AWS.
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2. Edge Computing
​
​
○ Using the Snowcone or Snowball for edge computing in remote locations
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where cloud access is limited.
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3. Disaster Recovery
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​
○ Storing backups or replicating critical systems in AWS for disaster recovery
​
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purposes.
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4. Media and Entertainment

​
​
○ Transferring large media files or movie production data to the cloud for
​
processing and storage.
​
5. Scientific Research
​
​
○ Moving huge data sets from research institutions to the cloud for further
​
analysis and storage.
​
Security Features

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 ●​ Encryption: All data on Snow Family devices is encrypted with 256-bit encryption.​

●​ Secure Transfers: The data is securely transferred and stored once it reaches AWS.​

●​ Tracking: You can track the device using a GPS system during the transfer process.​

Pricing

● AWS charges for device rental, data transfer, and return shipping.
​
​
● Pricing depends on the size of the device (Snowcone, Snowball, Snowmobile), the
​
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amount of data, and the duration of the device rental.

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Benefits of AWS Snow Family
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1. Fast
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​
○ Quickly move huge amounts of data to the cloud without waiting for long
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​
upload times.
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2. Portable
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○ Small devices like Snowcone are very portable and easy to move around.
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3. Ideal for Remote Locations

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​
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○ Great for transferring data in places with low or no internet.

​
​
4. Secure and Reliable
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​
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○ Ensures that your data is safe and secure during transport.
​
​
Limitations

1. Limited to AWS
​
​
○ Only works for transferring data to and from AWS (no support for other cloud
​
providers).
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 2.​ Physical Devices​

○​ Requires shipping, so it’s not as instant as transferring data over the internet.​

Conclusion

● The AWS Snow Family offers different devices designed to help businesses move
​
large amounts of data to AWS in an easy, fast, and secure way.

​
● It’s perfect for companies that need to migrate data quickly or for situations where
​
internet speeds are not fast enough for cloud transfers.

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● Whether you're dealing with small or massive data, AWS Snow Family has a solution
​
for you.

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28 frequently asked Storage interview questions and answers

EBS

1. What is Amazon EBS (Elastic Block Store)?

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Answer:​
Amazon EBS is a block storage service provided by AWS that allows you to store data

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persistently for your Amazon EC2 instances. Unlike instance store volumes, which are
temporary, EBS volumes persist even after the EC2 instance is stopped or terminated. EBS
provides scalable, high-performance storage that can be attached to EC2 instances.
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2. What are the types of Amazon EBS volumes?
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Answer:
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Amazon EBS offers several types of volumes for different use cases:
at

● General Purpose SSD (gp3): Balanced performance and cost for most workloads.
​
​
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● Provisioned IOPS SSD (io2): High performance for I/O-intensive applications.

​
​
● Throughput Optimized HDD (st1): For large, sequential workloads like data
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​
warehouses.
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● Cold HDD (sc1): Lowest-cost storage for infrequently accessed data.

​
​
● Magnetic: Legacy storage, now being replaced by SSD-based options.
​
​
3. How do you back up an Amazon EBS volume?

Answer:
​
You can back up EBS volumes using Amazon EBS Snapshots. A snapshot is a
point-in-time backup of the volume, which can be stored in Amazon S3. Snapshots are

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incremental, meaning that only the changes since the last snapshot are saved, making
backups more efficient.

4. Can you resize an Amazon EBS volume?

Answer:
​
Yes, you can resize an EBS volume. To do this:

1. Increase the size of the volume using the AWS Management Console or AWS CLI.
​
​
2. After the volume is resized, you’ll need to extend the filesystem on the instance to
​
use the new space.
​
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You can also change the volume type or IOPS, but resizing and modifying a volume is done

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without downtime for most cases.
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5. What are the performance characteristics of EBS volumes?

Answer:
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EBS volumes provide different levels of performance based on their type:

● General Purpose SSD (gp3): Provides up to 16,000 IOPS and 1,000 MB/s
​
throughput.
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​
● Provisioned IOPS SSD (io2): Offers up to 64,000 IOPS and 1,000 MB/s
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​
throughput.
​
● Throughput Optimized HDD (st1): Supports 500 MB/s throughput.
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​
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● Cold HDD (sc1): Offers 250 MB/s throughput.
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Performance is also affected by the volume size and the EC2 instance type it is attached to.

6. How does Amazon EBS handle data durability?

Answer:
​
Amazon EBS is designed to provide high durability. EBS volumes are automatically
replicated within the same Availability Zone to protect against hardware failures. EBS
volumes have an annual durability rate of 99.999%. To ensure higher durability and
availability, snapshots can be used to back up data to S3, which is stored across multiple
availability zones.

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7. What is the difference between Amazon EBS and Amazon S3?

Answer:

● EBS: A block-level storage service that is used for persistent storage attached to
​
EC2 instances. It provides low-latency access to data and is typically used for
applications, databases, and file systems that require frequent read and write
operations.
​
● S3: A highly durable object storage service used for storing static files, backups,
​
media files, and large datasets. S3 is not used for block-level storage and does not
support file systems or applications that require low-latency read and write access

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like EBS.
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8. Can you attach an EBS volume to multiple EC2 instances?
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Answer:
​
No, an EBS volume can only be attached to one EC2 instance at a time in read-write
mode. However, you can attach it to multiple instances in read-only mode by creating a
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snapshot or using Amazon EFS for shared access.

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9. What are EBS volume snapshots, and how do they work?

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Answer:
​
EBS volume snapshots are point-in-time backups of EBS volumes. These snapshots are
incremental, meaning only the changes made to the volume after the last snapshot are
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stored. Snapshots are stored in Amazon S3 and are durable and reliable. You can create
snapshots manually or automate them using AWS Backup or lifecycle policies.
R

10. How do you secure Amazon EBS volumes?

Answer:
​
To secure EBS volumes:

● Encryption: You can enable encryption at rest for your EBS volumes using AWS
​
Key Management Service (KMS). This ensures data is encrypted when stored and
during transfer.
​
● IAM Policies: Use IAM roles and policies to control access to EBS resources.
​
​
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 ●​ Snapshot Encryption: Snapshots can also be encrypted to ensure that backups are
secure.​

●​ Security Groups: Secure EC2 instances attached to EBS volumes using Security
Groups and Network ACLs to control inbound and outbound traffic

EFS

1. What is Amazon EFS (Elastic File System)?

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Answer:​
Amazon EFS is a fully managed, scalable file storage service that can be accessed by

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multiple EC2 instances simultaneously. It provides a shared file system, meaning you can
store and access files just like you would on a regular file server. EFS is highly scalable,
elastic, and supports both Linux and Windows instances with NFS protocol.
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2. How does Amazon EFS differ from Amazon EBS?
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Answer:

● Amazon EBS: A block storage service attached to a single EC2 instance. It’s used
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​
for storing data like databases and applications on an instance.
​
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● Amazon EFS: A file storage service that can be accessed by multiple EC2
​
instances simultaneously. It’s ideal for sharing files and directories across multiple
machines. EFS is best for applications that need to share data, while EBS is suited
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for individual machine storage.

​
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3. What are the benefits of Amazon EFS?

Answer:

● Scalability: Automatically scales as data is added or removed, without needing to

​
manage capacity.
​
● Fully Managed: No need to set up or manage file systems, AWS handles the
​
infrastructure.
​
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 ●​ High Availability and Durability: Data is replicated across multiple Availability
Zones for fault tolerance.​

●​ Shared Access: Multiple EC2 instances can access the same file system at the
same time.​

●​ Performance: Offers low latency and high throughput for data-intensive applications.​

4. What are the two storage classes in Amazon EFS?

Answer:

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● EFS Standard: Designed for general-purpose workloads that need high availability
​
and throughput.

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​
● EFS One Zone: A lower-cost option where data is stored in a single Availability Zone
​
(less redundant than Standard). Suitable for workloads that do not require the same
level of durability as EFS Standard.
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​
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5. How does Amazon EFS achieve high availability and durability?

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Answer:
​
Amazon EFS automatically replicates data across multiple Availability Zones (AZs) within
a region. This ensures that even if one AZ experiences failure, the data remains available
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from other AZs. The data is also consistently backed up and protected against hardware
failures.
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6. How do you connect an EC2 instance to an EFS file system?

Answer:
​
To connect an EC2 instance to an EFS file system:

1. Create an EFS File System in the AWS Management Console.

​
​
2. Create a Mount Target in the same VPC as the EC2 instance.
​
​
3. Install NFS client on the EC2 instance (for Linux).
​
​
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 4.​ Mount the EFS file system using the mount command and the file system’s DNS
name.​

For Windows instances, you would use the SMB protocol instead of NFS.

7. Can Amazon EFS be accessed from on-premises servers?

Answer:
​
Yes, you can access an EFS file system from on-premises servers using AWS Direct
Connect or a VPN connection to your VPC. This allows you to extend your on-premises
network to the cloud and access EFS as if it were part of your local network.

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8. What are the performance modes of Amazon EFS?

Answer:
​
Amazon EFS offers two performance modes:
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● General Purpose: Suitable for most workloads, providing low-latency access to
​
shared files. It's used for web serving, content management, etc.
hw

​
● Max I/O: Designed for highly parallelized applications requiring higher throughput
​
and IOPS. It provides the highest levels of throughput and scalability.
​
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9. How do you secure Amazon EFS?

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Answer:
​
You can secure Amazon EFS by:
R

● IAM Policies: Control access to EFS resources using IAM roles and policies.
​
​
● Network Security: Use Security Groups and Network ACLs to control network
​
access to the file system.
​
● Encryption: EFS supports encryption at rest and in transit. You can enable
​
encryption for data stored on the file system and during data transfer.
​
● Access Control Lists (ACLs): Set file and directory-level permissions to control
​
access at the file system level.
​
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10. What use cases are best suited for Amazon EFS?

Answer:​
Amazon EFS is ideal for workloads that require shared access to files and directories
across multiple instances:

●​ Web applications: Where multiple web servers need to access the same data.​

●​ Content management: Storing media files (like videos, images) that need to be
accessed by various servers.​

●​ Big data and analytics: When multiple instances need to process large datasets
stored in a shared file system.​

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●​ Home directories: Storing user profiles or home directories that need to be
accessed by different machines in a network.

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FSX
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1. What is Amazon FSx?
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Answer:​
Amazon FSx is a fully managed file storage service provided by AWS, designed for
running Windows-based and Lustre file systems. FSx makes it easy to launch, run, and
scale file systems that are optimized for different use cases, such as shared file storage,
at

high-performance computing, and applications requiring Windows file system features.

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2. What are the different types of Amazon FSx file systems?

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Answer:
​
Amazon FSx offers two primary file system types:
R

● Amazon FSx for Windows File Server: A managed Windows file system designed
​
for applications that need to support SMB (Server Message Block) protocol. It
provides shared storage for Windows workloads, including support for Active
Directory (AD) integration.
​
● Amazon FSx for Lustre: A high-performance file system designed for workloads
​
that require fast processing of large datasets, such as machine learning,
high-performance computing (HPC), and media rendering. It supports the Lustre
file system, which is optimized for parallel I/O.
​
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3. What are the benefits of Amazon FSx for Windows File Server?

Answer:

●​ Fully Managed: No need to manage or maintain the file system infrastructure.​

●​ Compatibility with Windows Applications: FSx supports SMB protocol, allowing

you to use Windows-based applications that rely on shared file storage.​

●​ Active Directory Integration: It integrates with Active Directory for user

authentication and file-level permissions.​

●​ Backup and Recovery: FSx supports automatic backups and point-in-time

recovery for data protection.​

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●​ Encryption: Data is encrypted at rest and during transit by default.​

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4. What are the benefits of Amazon FSx for Lustre?

Answer:
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● High Performance: FSx for Lustre is optimized for workloads that require high
​
throughput and low-latency access to data.
​
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● Scalability: It can scale to accommodate large volumes of data with a parallel file
​
system architecture.
​
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● Integration with Amazon S3: FSx for Lustre can be linked to S3 buckets for
​
seamless data sharing, allowing you to process data in S3 and store results back to
Lustre.
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​
● Cost-Effective for High-Performance Computing: It offers an affordable way to run
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​
demanding applications, like genomics, financial modeling, and simulation.
​
5. How is Amazon FSx different from Amazon EFS?

Answer:

● Amazon FSx: Designed for specialized use cases—Windows workloads with SMB
​
support (FSx for Windows File Server) or high-performance computing (FSx for
Lustre). It offers performance and features suited to specific needs.
​
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 ●​ Amazon EFS: A general-purpose file storage service that provides scalable,
shared storage for Linux-based workloads, suitable for applications like web
servers, home directories, and content management.​

6. How do you integrate Amazon FSx for Windows File Server with
Active Directory?

Answer:
​
You can integrate FSx for Windows File Server with Active Directory (AD) by:

1. Creating or joining an Active Directory domain: FSx can join an existing AD

​
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domain or set up a new one.
​
2. Configuring the file system: When creating the FSx file system, you specify the

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​
Active Directory domain, and AWS will handle the integration.

​
3. Access Control: AD groups and users can be used to control access to file system
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​
shares using NTFS permissions.
​
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7. Can Amazon FSx for Lustre be used with Amazon S3?

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Answer:
​
Yes, Amazon FSx for Lustre can be integrated with Amazon S3. You can mount an FSx
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for Lustre file system to an EC2 instance and link it directly to an S3 bucket. This allows you
to:

● Import data from S3 into the Lustre file system for fast processing.
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​
​
● Export results from the Lustre file system back to S3 for long-term storage.
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​
​
This integration is ideal for high-performance workloads like data analytics or machine
learning.

8. What are the storage options available in Amazon FSx?

Answer:
​
Amazon FSx provides two primary storage options based on the file system:

● Storage Capacity: You can choose the amount of storage you need based on your
​
workload requirements. FSx scales automatically with your data, so you can adjust

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 capacity as needed.​

●​ Throughput: FSx allows you to provision throughput capacity based on your needs.
For FSx for Windows, you can choose between standard and higher throughput
options. For FSx for Lustre, performance is based on your instance type and data
processing needs.​

9. How does Amazon FSx handle data backups?

Answer:
​
Amazon FSx supports automatic backups of your file systems. These backups are:

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● Daily and incremental: Only the changes since the last backup are stored.
​
​
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● Point-in-time recovery: You can restore data from a previous backup to recover
​
from accidental deletion or corruption.
​
●
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Retention period: You can define the retention period for backups, typically up to 30
​
days.
​
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● Managed by AWS: No manual backup management is needed, as AWS handles

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backup creation and retention.
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10. What use cases are best suited for Amazon FSx?
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Answer:
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● Windows-Based Applications: Applications that require SMB file sharing and

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integration with Active Directory (e.g., Microsoft SQL Server, SharePoint, or other
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Windows-based applications).
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● High-Performance Computing: Workloads requiring fast, parallel access to large
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datasets, like genomics, video rendering, or machine learning.
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● Shared File Storage: Applications that need shared access to a Windows file
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system or a Lustre file system across multiple EC2 instances.
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● Backup and Disaster Recovery: FSx can be used to provide reliable, managed file
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storage for disaster recovery purposes.

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5 real-world scenario-based AWS Storage questions

Amazon EBS Scenarios

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Scenario 1:

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You have an application running on an EC2 instance that requires a high-performance
database. The database frequently reads and writes large amounts of data, and you want to
ensure that it remains highly available and performant.​
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Question: What type of Amazon EBS volume should you choose for this application, and
why?

Answer:​
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For this application, you should choose Provisioned IOPS SSD (io2) volume.

●​ io2 volumes provide high performance with up to 64,000 IOPS and 1,000 MB/s
throughput, which is ideal for high-performance databases.​
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●​ They offer a high durability rate (99.999%) and low-latency performance, making
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them well-suited for applications that require frequent, random I/O operations.​
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Scenario 2:

You have an EC2 instance running a web application. The application handles light
workloads and the data doesn't require frequent access. You want to minimize costs.
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Question: What type of Amazon EBS volume would be suitable for this use case?

Answer:
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For this use case, General Purpose SSD (gp3) would be the most cost-effective option.

● gp3 volumes offer balanced performance for light to medium workloads and are
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cost-efficient.
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 ●​ It provides up to 16,000 IOPS and 1,000 MB/s throughput, which is more than
enough for the light web application with occasional data access needs.​

Amazon EFS Scenarios

Scenario 1:

You have multiple EC2 instances running in an auto-scaling group, and all instances need to
share files, such as user-generated content or log files. The instances run Linux and need
fast, low-latency access to the shared data.

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Question: Which AWS service should you use to store and manage this data, and why?

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Answer:
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You should use Amazon EFS (Elastic File System) for this scenario.

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● EFS provides shared access to file systems from multiple EC2 instances
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simultaneously.
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● It uses NFS (Network File System) and is ideal for workloads where multiple
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instances need access to the same data in real-time.
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● EFS also scales automatically to accommodate growing data without manual

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intervention, making it suitable for dynamic, auto-scaling environments.
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Scenario 2:

You are working with a high-volume content management system (CMS) that requires
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storing large files, such as videos and images, and enabling them to be accessed by multiple
web servers running in different Availability Zones.
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Question: What AWS service would you recommend, and why?
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Answer:
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Amazon EFS would be the best choice for this CMS system.

● EFS allows for shared access to files by multiple EC2 instances across different
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Availability Zones, ensuring high availability.
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● It is ideal for storing large media files like images and videos that need to be
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accessed by many servers at the same time.
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● EFS offers scalable performance, which makes it suitable for environments that
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handle high-volume workloads like a content management system.
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Amazon FSx Scenario

Scenario:

You are setting up a high-performance computing (HPC) application that requires fast
access to large datasets and high throughput for processing data, such as in scientific
simulations. The application needs to handle parallel I/O and requires a file system that
can scale efficiently with high performance.

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Question: Which Amazon file system should you use, and why?

Answer:
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For this scenario, you should use Amazon FSx for Lustre.

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● FSx for Lustre is a high-performance file system optimized for workloads like HPC,
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machine learning, and big data processing that require fast I/O performance.

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● It supports parallel I/O, which allows multiple EC2 instances to access and process
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large datasets simultaneously at very high speeds, making it perfect for scientific
simulations and data-intensive applications.
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● Additionally, you can integrate FSx for Lustre with Amazon S3 for seamless data
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storage and processing.
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