What is AWS Storage Gateway?
AWS Storage Gateway is a hybrid cloud storage service that seamlessly connects on-premises environments with AWS Cloud storage. The service provides standard storage protocols like NFS, SMB, and iSCSI while data is securely stored in S3, S3 Glacier, or FSx in the background.
The gateway solves the challenge of connecting existing applications and workflows with cloud storage without code changes. Local applications access data via familiar protocols while data is automatically backed up in the cloud.
Core Features
- Provision S3 storage as local NFS or SMB shares
- iSCSI volumes with local cache layer and cloud storage
- Virtual tape library for seamless backup software integration
- Local caching for low latency on frequently accessed data
- Encryption in transit and at rest
Typical Use Cases
Cloud Backup: Existing backup software can write backups directly to S3 Glacier via Tape Gateway, replacing expensive local tape infrastructure.
File Server Migration: S3 File Gateway enables gradual migration of file servers to the cloud while users continue accessing via familiar SMB paths.
Disaster Recovery: Volume Gateway stores snapshots in S3 that can be quickly restored as EBS volumes in the cloud during an outage.
Benefits
- No changes to existing applications required
- Local cache for performance-sensitive workloads
- Reduce local storage costs through cloud tiering
- Seamless integration into existing backup infrastructure
Integration with innFactory
As an AWS Reseller, innFactory supports you with AWS Storage Gateway: architecture consulting for hybrid scenarios, migration from local storage solutions, backup strategy integration, and cost optimization between local cache and cloud storage.
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What gateway types are available?
S3 File Gateway presents S3 buckets as NFS/SMB shares. FSx File Gateway provides access to FSx for Windows File Server. Volume Gateway presents cloud storage as iSCSI volumes. Tape Gateway emulates a virtual tape library for backup software.
Where does Storage Gateway run?
Storage Gateway can run as a virtual machine on VMware, Hyper-V, or KVM, as a hardware appliance from AWS, or as an EC2 instance in the cloud.
How does caching work?
The gateway caches frequently accessed data locally while all data is stored in S3 or Glacier. Read requests are served from local cache, with cache misses fetched from the cloud.
Is Storage Gateway suitable for backup?
Yes, especially Tape Gateway is designed for backup scenarios. It integrates with common backup software like Veeam, Commvault, or NetBackup and stores tapes virtually in S3 or Glacier.
What does AWS Storage Gateway cost?
Costs consist of the cloud storage capacity used (S3, Glacier, or FSx), data transfer, and, depending on gateway type, additional usage-based fees. There is no separate license fee for the local gateway software itself; current pricing is available on the official pricing page.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of AWS (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by AWS.