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AWS Storage Gateway

What AWS Storage Gateway is
AWS Storage Gateway connects on-premises applications to cloud storage while caching data locally for low-latency access. Its gateway types cover tape, file, and volume workflows: Tape Gateway, Amazon S3 File Gateway, Amazon FSx File Gateway, and Volume Gateway. Applications can use NFS, SMB, iSCSI, or iSCSI-VTL to access AWS storage without modification. S3 File Gateway stores files as Amazon S3 objects, while Tape Gateway presents a virtual tape library compatible with most leading backup applications.
Gateways can run as on-premises virtual machines on VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, or Linux KVM, as an on-premises hardware appliance, in VMware Cloud on AWS, or as an AMI in Amazon EC2. Volume Gateway can create incremental EBS snapshots and integrates with AWS Backup for managing backup and recovery of cached and stored volumes. Transfers between gateway appliances and AWS use SSL encryption. Stored data is encrypted by default with S3-SSE, with AWS KMS keys available as an option. Integrations include CloudWatch, CloudTrail, IAM, KMS, AWS Backup, S3, FSx for Windows File Server, EBS, and S3 Glacier storage tiers. The service supports hybrid deployment and usage-based billing.
Who it suits
AWS Storage Gateway suits organizations connecting on-premises applications to AWS storage while retaining local data caching. Its listed use cases include moving backups and archives to the cloud, cloud-backed on-premises file shares, low-latency access to AWS data, and data lake workflows.
What it does well
- Supports NFS, SMB, iSCSI, and iSCSI-VTL protocols.
- Offers virtual machine, hardware appliance, VMware Cloud, and EC2 deployment.
- Volume Gateway can create incremental EBS snapshots.
- Integrates with AWS Backup for volume backup and recovery.
- Transfers use SSL encryption; stored data uses S3-SSE by default.
What to know first
- There is no free plan.
- Usage charges vary by region and gateway host.
- Storage, requests, data transfer, and optional CloudWatch charges may apply.
Limits
Pricing varies by region and gateway host. Tape Gateway data written costs $0.01/GB up to $125.00 per gateway per month; the first 100 GB written to AWS per account is free. Storage, requests, data transfer, and optional CloudWatch charges may also apply.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Storage Gateway | Usage-based; pricing varies by region and gateway host. · Tape Gateway data written: $0.01/GB up to $125.00 per gateway per month · First 100 GB written to AWS per account is free · Storage, requests, data transfer, and optional CloudWatch charges may apply | On request |
As aws.amazon.com lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the AWS Storage Gateway website.
- Select a gateway type for the file, tape, or volume workflow.
- Choose a deployment option: virtual machine, hardware appliance, VMware Cloud on AWS, or Amazon EC2 AMI.
- Connect applications using NFS, SMB, iSCSI, or iSCSI-VTL.
- Configure the AWS storage target and review usage-based charges.
Verdict
Choose AWS Storage Gateway when on-premises applications need access to AWS storage with local caching and support for file, tape, or volume workflows. Account for usage charges across storage, requests, and data transfer when assessing the service.
Questions
Does AWS Storage Gateway have a free plan?
No free plan is listed. The pricing details say the first 100 GB written to AWS per account is free for Tape Gateway.
How is AWS Storage Gateway priced?
Billing is usage-based and varies by region and gateway host. Tape Gateway data written costs $0.01/GB up to $125.00 per gateway per month; storage, requests, data transfer, and optional CloudWatch charges may apply.
Which protocols does it support?
Applications can connect using NFS, SMB, iSCSI, or iSCSI-VTL.
Where can a gateway run?
Deployment options include an on-premises VM on VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, or Linux KVM; an on-premises hardware appliance; VMware Cloud on AWS; or an AMI in Amazon EC2.
Which storage targets are listed?
Listed targets include Amazon S3, Amazon S3 Glacier, Amazon S3 Glacier Deep Archive, Amazon EBS, and Amazon FSx for Windows File Server.
How does it protect data?
Data transferred between gateway appliances and AWS is encrypted using SSL. Stored data is encrypted by default with S3-SSE, and AWS KMS keys are available as an option.
Facts from AWS Storage Gateway's own pages
- AWS integrations
- The service integrates with CloudWatch, CloudTrail, IAM, KMS, AWS Backup, Amazon S3, Amazon FSx for Windows File Server, Amazon EBS, and S3 Glacier storage tiers. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Compliance
- AWS lists Storage Gateway in compliance programs including SOC, PCI, ISO, FedRAMP, HIPAA, MTSC, C5, K-ISMS, ENS High, OSPAR, and HITRUST CSF. · docs.aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Deployment
- Gateways can run as on-premises VMs on VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, or Linux KVM, as an on-premises hardware appliance, in VMware Cloud on AWS, or as an AMI in Amazon EC2. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Encryption
- Data transferred between gateway appliances and AWS is encrypted using SSL; stored data is encrypted by default with S3-SSE, with AWS KMS keys available as an option. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- File and tape storage
- S3 File Gateway stores files as Amazon S3 objects, while Tape Gateway presents a virtual tape library compatible with most leading backup applications. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Gateway types
- It offers Tape Gateway, Amazon S3 File Gateway, Amazon FSx File Gateway, and Volume Gateway. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Intended use
- AWS describes use cases including moving backups and archives to the cloud, cloud-backed on-premises file shares, low-latency access to AWS data, and data lake workflows. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Protocols
- The service supports NFS, SMB, iSCSI, and iSCSI-VTL so applications can use AWS storage without modification. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- AWS Storage Gateway connects on-premises applications to cloud storage while caching data locally for low-latency access. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- AWS Premium Support covers Storage Gateway, and AWS Support coordinates hardware-related cases with the appliance manufacturer. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Usage charges
- Storage Gateway billing includes storage, requests, and data transfer; File Gateway objects and requests are billed by Amazon S3. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- VMware availability
- With VMware HA integration, the service can automatically recover from most service interruptions in under 60 seconds. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Volume backups
- Volume Gateway can create incremental EBS snapshots, and it integrates with AWS Backup to manage backup and recovery of cached and stored volumes. · aws.amazon.com, 30 Sept 2026
Where AWS Storage Gateway stands on Freedom251
- Cloud Storage Gateway Software#8 of 26
