AWS DataSync

What AWS DataSync is

AWS DataSync is an online service for moving file data between on-premises storage, edge locations, other cloud providers, and AWS Storage. It supports NFS, SMB, HDFS, self-managed object storage, Azure Files and Blob Storage, Amazon S3, EFS, and several Amazon FSx file systems. Transfers can be scheduled hourly, daily, or weekly, with controls for bandwidth, filtering, and monitoring. Reports summarize files transferred, skipped, verified, and deleted. AWS says one task can fully use a 10 Gbps network link between on-premises environments and AWS. DataSync encrypts data in transit and validates transfer integrity; VPC endpoints can keep agent traffic off the public internet. An agent is needed for on-premises-to-AWS transfers, but not for transfers between other clouds and AWS or within the same AWS account’s storage services. Basic mode has file and object quotas and processes preparation, transfer, and verification in sequence. Its listed price is $0.01, paid once, billed per GB transferred. Enhanced mode is billed per GB transferred plus per task execution, with no price listed. Additional AWS storage, request, and data transfer charges may apply.

Who it suits

It suits teams migrating, archiving, replicating, or moving files for analysis across supported storage environments. Teams should account for agent needs and mode-specific limits when planning transfers.

Limits

Basic mode is subject to quotas on dataset file and object counts, and it processes preparation, transfer, and verification sequentially. Its listed charge is $0.01, paid once, billed per GB transferred; additional AWS storage, request, and data-transfer charges may apply.

Getting started

1. Open the AWS DataSync website.
2. Choose Basic or Enhanced mode based on the transfer workload.
3. For on-premises-to-AWS transfers, deploy an agent as a VMware, KVM, or Hyper-V virtual machine.
4. For supported cloud transfers, deploy an agent as an Amazon EC2 instance when required.
5. Set transfer sources and destinations, then configure scheduling, filtering, bandwidth, and monitoring.

Verdict

DataSync offers scheduling, transfer controls, and reporting across a broad range of storage endpoints. Compare the mode limits and additional AWS charges with your transfer requirements.