AWS Import/Export accelerates moving large amounts of data into and out of AWS using portable storage devices for transport. AWS transfers your data directly onto and off of storage devices using Amazon’s high-speed internal network and bypassing the Internet. For significant data sets, AWS Import/Export is often faster than Internet transfer and more cost effective than upgrading your connectivity.
The beta currently supports importing and exporting data into and out of Amazon S3 buckets in the US. Support for EU buckets will be added in the coming months. To start using this service, click on the “Sign Up for AWS Import/Export” button.
Using AWS Import/Export
To use the AWS Import/Export beta you simply:
- Prepare a portable storage device (see below for supported devices).
- Email data loading instructions to AWS in a simple manifest file that includes your Amazon S3 bucket, AWS Access Key ID, and return shipping address. You’ll receive an e-mail back with a unique identifier for the job.
- Securely identify and authenticate the device by digitally signing your manifest file and job identifier with your AWS Secret Access Key and placing that signature file on the device.
- Ship your device along with its interface connectors, power supply and a packing slip to AWS.
When your package arrives at AWS, it will be processed and securely transferred to an AWS data center, where it will be attached to an AWS Import/Export station. Your data load typically begins the next business day after arrival at AWS.
After the data load completes, the device will be detached and returned to you via standard ground shipping.
See documentation for further details.
Common Uses for AWS Import/Export
AWS Import/Export makes it easy to quickly transfer large amounts of data into and out of the AWS cloud. You can use AWS Import/Export for:
- Data Migration – If you have data you need to upload into the AWS cloud for the first time, AWS Import/Export is often much faster than transferring that data via the Internet.
- Offsite Backup – Send full or incremental backups to Amazon S3 for reliable and redundant offsite storage.
- Direct Data Interchange – If you regularly receive content on portable storage devices from your business associates, you can have them send it directly to AWS for import into your Amazon S3 buckets.
- Disaster Recovery – In the event you need to quickly retrieve a large backup stored in Amazon S3, use AWS Import/Export to transfer the data to a portable storage device and deliver it to your site.
Pricing
As with all AWS services, you pay only for the resources that you use. Pricing includes fees for each storage device used and for the number of hours it takes to load your data (data-loading-hours). Estimate your AWS Import/Export charges using the AWS Import/Export Calculator.
Device Handling
- $80.00 per storage device handled.
Data Loading Time
- $2.49 per data-loading-hour. Partial data-loading-hours are billed as full hours.
Amazon S3 Charges
- Standard Amazon S3 Request and Storage pricing applies.
- Data transferred between AWS Import/Export and Amazon S3 is free of charge (i.e. $0.00 per GB).
(AWS Import/Export is sold by Amazon Web Services LLC.)
Detailed Description
When to Use AWS Import/Export
If you have large amounts of data to load and an Internet connection with limited bandwidth, the time required to prepare and ship a portable storage device to AWS can be a small percentage of the time it would take to transfer your data over the internet. If loading your data over the Internet would take a week or more, you should consider using AWS Import/Export.
Below is a table that gives guidance around common internet connection speeds on: (1) how long it will take to transfer 1TB of data over the Internet into AWS (see the middle column for this estimate); and, (2) what volume of total data will require a week to transfer over the Internet into AWS, and therefore warrant consideration of AWS Import/Export (see the right-hand column). For example, if you have a 10Mbps connection and expect to utilize 80% of your network capacity for the data transfer, transferring 1TB of data over the Internet to AWS will take 13 days. The volume at which this same set-up will take at least a week, is 600GB, so if you have 600GB of data or more to transfer, and you want it to take less than a week to get into AWS, we recommend you using AWS Import/Export.
| Available Internet Connection | Theoretical Min. Number of Days to Transfer 1TB at 80% Network Utilization | When to Consider AWS Import/Export? |
| T1 (1.544Mbps) | 82 days | 100GB or more |
| 10Mbps | 13 days | 600GB or more |
| T3 (44.736Mbps) | 3 days | 2TB or more |
| 100Mbps | 1 to 2 days | 5TB or more |
| 1000Mbps | Less than 1 day | 60TB or more |
For more details regarding data loading costs see the AWS Import/Export Calculator.
Selecting Your Storage Device
To load your data through AWS Import/Export, you must use a compatible storage device. The storage device requirements are:
| Item | Requirement |
| Power |
|
| Interface Type |
|
| Dimensions |
|
| Weight |
|
| File System Type |
|
| Device Capacity |
|
AWS can often support larger and heavier devices upon request. If you have a device that does not meet these requirements, please contact us with the specifics. Make sure to include your AWS account(s), number of terabytes you intend to load, and type of device(s) you wish to use.
Each AWS Import/Export station is capable of loading data at over 500Mbps, but in most cases the rate of the data load will be bounded by a combination of the read or write speed of your device and average object size. Selecting devices with faster read or write speeds and interfaces can reduce data loading time. For more details regarding data loading performance see the AWS Import/Export Calculator.
While AWS Import/Export is designed to work with any storage device with a USB or eSATA connector, devices from LaCie, Western Digital, and Acomdata have generally provided good performance.
Getting Started
To learn more about AWS Import/Export read the Using AWS Import/Export section of our Technical Documentation. Within minutes, you should be able to create a new job.
Resources
| Developer Resources |
Intended Usage and Restrictions
- Your use of this feature is subject to the AWS Customer Agreement.
- All devices must originate and be returned to a US based address.
- PO Boxes are not a valid return shipping address.
- Only US region buckets are supported during the beta.
