AWS DataSync VS Storage Gateway : Which Cloud Storage Solution is Better? 


Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides two cloud storage options, AWS Data Sync and Storage Gateway, that are made to make it easier for businesses to transport data between various storage environments.

The most suitable choice for a given firm will rely on its particular requirements and use case since both solutions have their own features and capabilities. 

To assist organizations in determining which solution is the best fit for them, we will evaluate the two options in this post in terms of their features, capabilities, and use cases.

What Is AWS Data Sync, and How Does It Compare to Storage Gateway?

AWS DataSync and Storage Gateway are two distinct cloud storage solutions provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS). If you're an enterprise looking to move and manage data across multiple storage environments, these options will assist you.

AWS DataSync is a web-based data transfer service. It will help you automate and accelerates the transfer of huge amounts of data to and from AWS storage services through the Internet or AWS Direct Connect. 

AWS Storage Gateway, in contrast, is a cloud-storage solution that allows you to access nearly limitless cloud storage on-premises. You can use Storage Gateway to make an easy storage administration and save costs.  

What Is the Difference Between AWS Data Sync Vs. Storage Gateway?  

AWS DataSync is a service that makes it simple to move huge volumes of data between Amazon S3 and other AWS storage services, as well as on-premises storage. 

The key features of AWS DataSync include the following:

  • It transports data quickly by combining the SMB and NFS protocols and may be used for one-time or scheduled transfers. 

  • It uses a lightweight agent installed on the on-premises storage system to transfer data across the internet via AWS Direct Connect. 

  • DataSync also provides bandwidth management, encryption, and compression features to increase data transmission performance and security.

AWS Storage Gateway, on the other hand, is a hybrid storage solution that blends on-premises software appliances with cloud-based storage to provide secure and seamless interaction between on-premises applications and AWS storage services. 

The key features of AWS Storage Gateway include the following: 

  • Storage Gateway operates in three modes: file gateway, volume gateway, and tape gateway. 

  • The file gateway mode lets you store and retrieve files as objects in Amazon S3 using standard file protocols.

  • The volume gateway mode lets you create storage volumes and mount them as iSCSI devices on your on-premises application servers.

  • The tape gateway mode lets you create virtual tapes and store them in Amazon S3 or Glacier.

What Are the Different Types of AWS Data Sync Vs Storage Gateway?  

Below are the different types of AWS Data Sync and Storage Gateway available.

AWS Data Sync

AWS DataSync provides three different types of data transfer services, each with its own set of features and capabilities.  

  1. 1

    S3 DataSync 

    It is the first category, and it allows you to transport and replicate data between on-premises storage systems and Amazon S3. 

    This sort of DataSync can be used for a variety of purposes, including migrating data from on-premises to the cloud, replicating data across many regions for disaster recovery, and transferring huge datasets between storage systems.

  2. 2

    FSx DataSync

    The second form of DataSync is FSx DataSync, which enables data movement and replication between on-premises storage systems. 

    This sort of DataSync is especially handy for businesses that employ Windows-based file servers and want to migrate their data to the cloud.

  3. 3

    EFS DataSync 

    EFS DataSync, the third form of DataSync, enables data replication and transfer between on-premises storage systems and Amazon Elastic File System (EFS). 

    For businesses that utilize Linux-based file servers and wish to transfer their data to the cloud without altering their current file system, this kind of data sync is helpful.

Storage Gateway 

AWS Storage Gateway provides three different types of storage gateway, each with special characteristics and capacities.  

  1. 1

    File Gateway

    The first kind is File Gateway, which lets you use common file protocols to store and retrieve files as objects on Amazon S3. 

    For businesses that wish to store their information in the cloud without altering their current file system, this kind of gateway is helpful.

  2. 2

    Volume Gateway

    You may construct storage volumes and mount them as iSCSI devices on your on-premises application servers using the volume gateway, which is the second kind of storage gateway. 

    For businesses that wish to store their data on the cloud without altering their current storage infrastructure, this kind of gateway is helpful.

  3. 3

    Tape Gateway

    Creating virtual tapes and storing them in Amazon S3 or Amazon Glacier are both possible using the third category of storage gateway, known as a tape gateway. 

    For businesses who wish to store their data in the cloud without altering their current tape backup infrastructure, this kind of gateway is helpful.

What Are the Use Cases of AWS Data Sync Vs. Storage Gateway?   

AWS DataSync has a wide range of applications, including:

  • DataSync is a tool that may be used to migrate huge volumes of data from on-premises storage systems to Amazon S3, FSx, or EFS with ease. This can be especially helpful for businesses that want to migrate to the cloud but don't want to deal with the hassle and expense of creating and maintaining their own infrastructure for data transfer.
  • DataSync may be used to duplicate data across several locations for disaster recovery, which can assist enterprises to secure their data from regional catastrophes or outages.

  • DataSync can be used to transfer huge datasets across various storage platforms, such as between an on-premises storage system and a cloud-based storage system.

AWS Storage Gateway can be used for a variety of use cases, such as:

  • Organizations that wish to store their files in the cloud without altering their current file system may find File Gateway to be helpful since it enables them to store and retrieve files as objects in Amazon S3 using industry-standard file protocols.

  • Volume Gateway enables businesses to establish storage volumes and mount them as iSCSI devices on their on-premises application servers, which might be helpful for businesses that wish to store their data in the cloud without altering their current storage infrastructure.

  • Tape Gateway enables companies to build virtual tapes and store them in Amazon S3 or Amazon Glacier, which might be helpful for companies who wish to store their data in the cloud without altering their current tape backup infrastructure.

AWS DataSync vs. Storage Gateway: Cost Comparison 

Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides two distinct services for data storage and transmission called AWS DataSync and Storage Gateway. 

The price for utilizing these services varies depending on how they are configured and used specifically. 

You may transfer significant volumes of data between on-premises storage and Amazon S3, Amazon EFS, using AWS DataSync, a data transfer service. With a per-GB data transfer rate, the cost of utilizing DataSync is determined by the volume of data sent.

You may combine on-premises storage with Amazon S3 and Amazon Glacier using the AWS Storage Gateway service.

File Gateway, Volume Gateway, and Tape Gateway are the three different types of storage gateways. The price for utilizing Storage Gateway is determined by the kind and volume of storage used as well as the volume of data queries.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Each Platform? 

Below we have listed the pros and cons of both platforms.

AWS DataSync

Pros

  • AWS storage services and on-premises storage with fast data transport.
  • The ability to plan automated execution.

  • Enables data transmission between several AWS regions.

  • Data transmission to several S3 storage types is possible.

  • Data transmission to several S3 storage types is possible. 

Cons

  • The price is determined by the amount of data transferred, and for huge amounts of data, it might be expensive.
  • It does not provide solutions for long-term storage because it is not a storage service.

AWS Storage Gateway 

Pros

  • Enables the integration of on-premises storage with AWS storage services
  • Three distinct types of gateways are provided for various storage demands (File, Volume, and Tape)

  • It can be used for archiving and long-term storage

Cons

  • Data transfer speed might not be as quick as with DataSync
  • Data retrieval requests and storage consumption determine the price, which might be expensive if you have a lot of data

Which One of These Platforms Is Best to Use for Cloud Storage? 

The most advantageous choice for long-term cloud storage is typically thought to be AWS Storage Gateway. It provides three various types of gateways that can be utilized for long-term archiving and storing as well as integrating on-premises storage with AWS storage services. 

The Volume Gateway enables you to store primary data on-premises and asynchronously backup that data to S3, the File Gateway enables you to store files as objects in Amazon S3 and can be used as a fully managed network file share.

Meanwhile, the Tape Gateway enables you to store infrequently accessed data as virtual tapes in Amazon S3 or Amazon Glacier.

AWS Storage Gateway offers solutions for disaster recovery as well as data archiving and retention.

Because it supports WORM (Write Once Read Many) storage classes, which let you store data that must be retained for a particular period of time and cannot be erased before the retention period expires, AWS Storage Gateway can also be used for compliance use cases.

On the other hand, AWS DataSync is better suited for massive data transfers and synchronizing information between on-premises and cloud storage.

DataSync can effectively migrate substantial volumes of data to the cloud, but since it is not a storage service, it does not provide alternatives for long-term storage.

Conclusion:

Finally, AWS DataSync and Storage Gateway are two distinct cloud storage solutions provided by Amazon Web Services that are meant to assist enterprises in moving and managing data across multiple storage environments.

Storage Gateway is a hybrid storage service, whereas DataSync is a data transmission service. 

Both have distinct characteristics and capabilities. The optimum alternative for a certain business will be determined by its needs and use case.

To select the best service, it is critical to assess the present storage infrastructure, data transmission requirements, and budget.

About the author

Youssef

Youssef is a Senior Cloud Consultant & Founder of ITCertificate.org

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