AWS Snowcone Documentation

AWS Snowcone is a small, rugged edge computing and data migration device. You can move data to AWS either offline by shipping the device, or online by using it with AWS DataSync, which is pre-installed in the device. Snowcone enables you to run edge workloads using Amazon EC2 computing, and local storage in harsh, disconnected field environments.

AWS Snowcone is available in both hard disk drive (HDD) and solid state drive (SSD) device types. Both device types are designed to be portable and rugged.

AWS Snowcone enables you to efficiently move data by physically shipping the device with your data to your specified AWS Region where data can be put into your specified Amazon S3 bucket. You should configure your S3 buckets before you order your Snow device.

AWS DataSync comes pre-installed on AWS Snowcone to enable online data import or export between storage on Snowcone devices at edge locations and Amazon S3, Amazon EFS, or Amazon FSx for Windows File Server, or Amazon FSx for Lustre.

You can use Snowcone with your existing on-premises servers and file-based applications to read and write data on the device.

You can connect AWS Snowcone to wired networks. Snowcone provides 2 ports that are designed to auto-negotiate for 1 Gb or 10 Gb Ethernet networks.

For mobile applications where power plugs are inaccessible, AWS Snowcone can run on specified battery power. You can optionally order one or more battery packs that have been tested for use with Snowcone.

AWS Snowcone uses an innovative, E Ink shipping label designed to direct the device to the correct AWS facility and also aids in tracking. Once you have completed your data transfer or edge computing job, it can be tracked via Amazon SNS, text messages, and the AWS Console.

Once the data transfer job has been processed, AWS performs steps designed to erase data stored on the AWS Snowcone device.

When copying is complete and the device is ready to be returned, the E Ink shipping label is designed to automatically update the return address for delivery to an AWS facility. Once the device ships, you can receive tracking status via messages sent by Amazon SNS, generated texts and emails, or directly from the Console.

AWS OpsHub is a complimentary application for managing the AWS Snow Family devices. The OpsHub graphical user interface (GUI) enables you to set up and manage Snowcone devices. You can install AWS OpsHub on Windows, Mac, or Linux client machines, such as a laptop.

Applications can work with Snow Family devices as an NFS mount point with supported NFS versions.

Snowcone devices have computing resources to collect and process data at the edge. Devices are designed to run specific Amazon EC2 instances with processing and storage available to support your applications and AWS IoT Greengrass functions. During the ordering process, you can select your Amazon EC2 AMIs that you want to install on the device, including AMIs running IoT Greengrass. AWS can then load the AMIs onto the device and ship it to you.

AWS Snowcone is designed to encrypt data using keys that you manage using the AWS Key Management Service (KMS).

The AWS Snowcone device has a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) designed to provide a hardware root of trust. The TPM is also designed to provide interfaces to the trusted software stack during the measurements and verification of the boot environment integrity after the power is switched on and before the AWS Snowcone device is ready to be used. AWS also uses additional tamper inspection processes after each AWS Snowcone device is received back to the AWS Region.

For additional information about service controls, security features and functionalities, including, as applicable, information about storing, retrieving, modifying, restricting, and deleting data, please see https://docs.aws.amazon.com/index.html. This additional information does not form part of the Documentation for purposes of the AWS Customer Agreement available at http://aws.amazon.com/agreement, or other agreement between you and AWS governing your use of AWS’s services.