Identify AWS Storage Services
Published: (January 6, 2026 at 12:44 AM EST)
2 min read
Source: Dev.to
Source: Dev.to
Object Storage – Amazon S3
Object storage stores data as objects (files + metadata) in buckets. Common use cases include:
- Backups and archives
- Application assets (images, videos, static website content)
- Data lakes and analytics storage
- Log storage
- Distributing large files
S3 Storage Classes
| Class | Typical Use Case | Access Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | General‑purpose object storage | Frequent access |
| S3 Intelligent‑Tiering | Unknown or changing access patterns | Automatic tiering |
| S3 Standard‑IA | Infrequent access but rapid retrieval | Infrequent access |
| S3 One Zone‑IA | Infrequent access, lower cost, single AZ | Infrequent access |
| S3 Glacier Instant Retrieval | Archive data that still needs instant access | Rare, fast retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible Retrieval | Archive with flexible retrieval times (minutes‑to‑hours) | Infrequent access |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | Lowest‑cost long‑term retention | Retrieval takes hours |
Use the appropriate class based on access frequency and archive needs (e.g., Intelligent‑Tiering for unknown patterns, Glacier Deep Archive for lowest‑cost long‑term storage).
Block Storage
Block storage is used for operating systems, databases, and applications that need low‑latency disk access.
Amazon EBS
- Persistent block storage for EC2 instances
- Data persists after instance stop/termination
- Ideal for boot volumes, databases, and workloads requiring snapshots and durability
Instance Store
- Temporary block storage physically attached to the host
- Very fast but data is lost when the instance stops, terminates, or the host fails
- Suitable for scratch space, caches, or temporary data
File Storage
Amazon EFS
- Managed, scalable NFS‑style file system
- Shared across multiple EC2 instances
- Best for Linux workloads that need a shared file system
Amazon FSx
- Managed file systems optimized for specific environments (e.g., Windows file shares, high‑performance workloads)
- Choose FSx when you need a specialized file system such as FSx for Windows File Server or FSx for Lustre
Hybrid / Cached File Access – AWS Storage Gateway
AWS Storage Gateway connects on‑premises environments to AWS storage, supporting hybrid storage patterns:
- Cached access to frequently used data while storing the full dataset in AWS
- Extends on‑premises applications to use cloud‑backed storage
Lifecycle Policies (Amazon S3)
Lifecycle policies automate the management of objects over time:
- Transition objects between storage classes as they age (e.g., Standard → IA → Glacier)
- Expire or delete objects after a defined retention period
- Reduce storage costs without manual intervention
AWS Backup
AWS Backup is a managed service for centralized backup management across multiple AWS services. Use it when you need:
- A single place to define backup plans, schedules, and retention policies
- Consistent backup policies across accounts and resources
- Simplified compliance reporting for backups