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Study guide for AWS storage

Here’s a study guide covering key AWS storage services to help you understand and compare them.

Overview

Here are the AWS services that relates to storage.:

  • Object Storage 🗂️: Amazon S3 is designed for storing and retrieving any amount of data from anywhere, making it ideal for web applications, backups, and data lakes.
  • Block Storage 💽: Amazon EBS provides persistent block-level storage for EC2 instances, functioning like a traditional hard drive.
  • Long-Term Archiving 📦: Amazon S3 Glacier offers low-cost storage optimized for data archiving and long-term backup.
  • File Storage 🗃️: Amazon EFS provides shared file storage, perfect for applications requiring a centralized file system.
  • Scalable Data Storage 🚀: Amazon S3 allows for scalable, secure storage that can handle growing volumes of data seamlessly.

AWS Storage Services Study Guide

1️⃣ Object Storage 🗂️ – Amazon S3

✔️ What it is: Scalable, secure cloud storage for any type of data.
✔️ Use cases: Web applications, backups, big data analytics, media storage.
✔️ Key features:
- Stores files as objects in buckets.
- Supports versioning, encryption, and lifecycle policies.
- Highly durable & available across regions.
- Integrates with AWS services like CloudFront (CDN).

🔎 Study Tip: Learn how to upload, manage permissions, and use storage classes like S3 Standard, Intelligent-Tiering, Glacier for cost optimization.

2️⃣ Block Storage 💽 – Amazon EBS

✔️ What it is: Persistent storage for EC2 instances, similar to a hard drive.
✔️ Use cases: Databases, high-performance workloads, boot volumes for EC2.
✔️ Key features:
- Attached to EC2 instances.
- Supports snapshots for backup & recovery.
- Options for SSD (GP3, IO1, IO2) & HDD (ST1, SC1) performance.

🔎 Study Tip: Understand volume types, how to create EBS volumes, and how they scale for different workloads.

3️⃣ Long-Term Archiving 📦 – Amazon S3 Glacier

✔️ What it is: Low-cost storage for long-term backups & compliance data.
✔️ Use cases: Regulatory archives, medical records, financial backups.
✔️ Key features:
- Retrieval options: Expedited, Standard, Bulk (time varies).
- Designed for cold storage (rarely accessed data).
- Data lifecycle rules automate archiving.

🔎 Study Tip: Compare Glacier vs S3 Standard storage classes for pricing and retrieval speeds.

4️⃣ File Storage 🗃️ – Amazon EFS

✔️ What it is: Managed shared file storage, accessible across multiple instances.
✔️ Use cases: Web applications, machine learning models, shared team files.
✔️ Key features:
- Elastic storage growth (scales automatically).
- Supports NFS protocols for file sharing.
- Two storage classes: Standard & Infrequent Access (IA) for cost savings.

🔎 Study Tip: Learn how to mount EFS to EC2 and compare EFS vs EBS for storage needs.

5️⃣ Scalable Data Storage 🚀 – Amazon S3

✔️ What it is: Scalable, secure, cost-effective storage that adapts to business needs.
✔️ Use cases: High-growth startups, enterprises managing large datasets.
✔️ Key features:
- Lifecycle management automates cost savings.
- Multi-region replication ensures redundancy.
- Integrates with AWS analytics & AI services for seamless workflows.

🔎 Study Tip: Explore S3 Intelligent-Tiering and how it automatically moves data between storage classes to optimize costs.

Final Study Tips

✅ Compare S3 vs EBS vs EFS – Know when to use each.
✅ Learn IAM permissions & security for storage buckets & volumes.
✅ Practice creating, managing, and optimizing AWS storage solutions.