Task Statement 3.1: Determine high-performing and/or scalable storage solutions.

📘AWS Certified Solutions Architect – (SAA-C03)

1. What is Hybrid Storage?

Hybrid storage means combining:

On-premises storage (your local data center, servers, NAS, SAN)
AWS cloud storage

👉 The goal is to connect both environments so data can move between them seamlessly.

2. Why Use Hybrid Storage?

In real IT environments, organizations often:

Already have existing storage systems
Cannot move all data to cloud immediately
Need low latency access to local data
Want backup, disaster recovery, or scaling in AWS

Key Benefits:

Gradual cloud migration
Cost optimization
Backup & disaster recovery
Scalability
Compliance (keep some data on-prem)

3. Key AWS Hybrid Storage Services (VERY IMPORTANT FOR EXAM)

You must understand these core services:

3.1 AWS Storage Gateway

What it is:

A service that connects on-premises storage to AWS cloud storage.

It runs as:

Virtual machine (VMware/Hyper-V)
Hardware appliance

Types of Storage Gateway (EXAM CRITICAL)

1. File Gateway

Provides file-based access (NFS/SMB)
Stores files in:
- Amazon S3

Key Features:

Appears like a normal file server
Files stored as objects in S3
Supports caching locally

Use Case:

File sharing across environments
Application storing files locally but backed by S3

2. Volume Gateway

Provides block storage (iSCSI)

Two Modes:

a. Cached Volumes

Frequently accessed data → stored on-prem
Entire dataset → stored in S3

👉 Good for:

Low local storage, large cloud storage

b. Stored Volumes

Entire data stored on-prem
AWS stores backups (snapshots) in:
- Amazon EBS snapshots

👉 Good for:

Need full local access
Backup in AWS

3. Tape Gateway

Replaces physical tape backups
Uses:
- Amazon S3 Glacier

Key Features:

Virtual tape library (VTL)
Long-term backup storage

Storage Gateway Summary Table

Type	Storage Type	Stored In	Best Use
File Gateway	File	S3	Shared files
Cached Volume	Block	Mostly AWS	Low local storage
Stored Volume	Block	Mostly local	Backup to AWS
Tape Gateway	Backup	Glacier	Archive

3.2 AWS DataSync

What it is:

A service to move large amounts of data between:

On-prem → AWS
AWS → AWS

Key Features:

Fast and automated transfer
Data validation
Encryption
Incremental transfer (only changed data)

Supported Storage:

NFS, SMB (on-prem)
Amazon S3
Amazon EFS
Amazon FSx

Use Cases:

Data migration
Data replication
Backup

3.3 AWS Snow Family

What it is:

Physical devices used to transfer data when:

Internet is slow
Data size is very large (TBs–PBs)

Types:

Snowcone (small)
Snowball (medium)
Snowmobile (very large scale)

Key Features:

Secure data transfer
Offline migration

Use Case:

Move large datasets to AWS
Data center migration

3.4 Amazon EFS + On-Prem Access

Hybrid Setup:

On-prem servers connect to EFS via:
- VPN or Direct Connect

Key Features:

Shared file system
Scales automatically
Linux-based workloads

3.5 Amazon FSx

Supports hybrid workloads with:

FSx for Windows File Server
FSx for NetApp ONTAP

Hybrid Advantage:

Can integrate with on-prem Active Directory
Supports enterprise file systems

4. Network Connectivity for Hybrid Storage

Hybrid storage requires connection between on-prem and AWS:

1. AWS Site-to-Site VPN

Encrypted connection over internet
Quick to set up
Lower cost

2. AWS Direct Connect

Private dedicated connection
High performance
Low latency

Exam Tip:

VPN = cheaper, internet-based
Direct Connect = faster, dedicated, expensive

5. Common Hybrid Storage Architectures (EXAM IMPORTANT)

1. Backup to Cloud

On-prem data → Storage Gateway → S3/Glacier

2. Cloud Burst

Local system handles normal load
AWS handles extra storage demand

3. Migration

DataSync / Snow → move data to AWS

4. Disaster Recovery (DR)

Local data backed up to AWS
Restore during failure

6. Choosing the Right Hybrid Solution (EXAM LOGIC)

Scenario-Based Decision Guide:

Need file-based access (NFS/SMB)?

→ Use Storage Gateway (File Gateway)

Need block storage (iSCSI)?

→ Use Volume Gateway

Need backup/archive?

→ Use Tape Gateway

Need fast data transfer?

→ Use DataSync

No/slow internet + huge data?

→ Use Snow Family

Need shared file system across environments?

→ Use EFS or FSx

7. Security in Hybrid Storage

Key concepts:

Encryption in transit (TLS)
Encryption at rest (S3, EBS, etc.)
IAM access control
Secure network (VPN / Direct Connect)

8. Important Exam Tips

✅ Storage Gateway is the MOST IMPORTANT hybrid service
✅ Know differences between:

File vs Volume vs Tape Gateway
✅ DataSync = online transfer
✅ Snow = offline transfer
✅ Direct Connect = high performance
✅ S3 = central storage layer in hybrid setups

9. Quick Revision Summary

Hybrid storage = On-prem + AWS
Core services:
- Storage Gateway
- DataSync
- Snow Family
- EFS / FSx
Connectivity:
- VPN or Direct Connect
Use cases:
- Backup
- Migration
- DR
- Scaling