Amazon FSx

Amazon FSx seamlessly integrates with our applications, user directories, and workflows, offering a smooth file storage solution. It handles storage capacity provisioning and scaling automatically, removing the necessity for manual hardware configuration and upkeep. Additionally, Amazon FSx offers flexible deployment options:

• Persistent file system: This system provides redundancy and duplication of data, ensuring data reliability and availability.

• Scratch file system: This system does not include duplication of data, making it ideal for temporary or non-critical data storage needs.

File systems

Amazon FSx accommodates four commonly used file systems:

• NetApp ONTAP: This is a comprehensive storage system that enables concurrent data access and management of NFSThe Network File System (NFS) is a distributed file system protocol for storing files on a network., CIFSCommon Internet File System (CIFS) is a particular implementation of the Server Message Block protocol., iSCSIInternet Small Computer Systems Interface, FCFibre Channel, FCoEFibre Channel over Ethernet, and FC-NVMeNonvolatile memory express over Fibre Channel protocols. This works with Linux, Windows, MacOS, and on-premise servers. This feature allows ONTAP hardware systems to combine their storage capacity into one large, unified space. It can handle up to 24 separate hardware nodes, making it easier to manage and access data across multiple devices as a single unit.

• Windows File Server: The Windows File Server supports the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol and the Windows NTFS. This protocol allows computers to share files and request services within a network. It enables multiple users to access files on the server concurrently, ensuring a reliable and secure method of managing file access in a shared environment. Microsoft's Distributed File System (DFS) can be integrated, enabling organizations to group files across multiple FSx for Windows instances or on-premises file servers, creating a unified namespace for easier file management and access control across distributed environments.

• OpenZFS: OpenZFS is an open-source storage platform that combines the functionality of traditional file systems and volume managers which is accessble through the NFS protocol. OpenZFS is compatible with all mainstream Operating Systems like Linux, Windows, MacOS, and Amazon compute instances as well. It provides advanced features such as data corruption protection, data and metadata integrity checking, and support for large storage capacities. It can be used for testing new workloads (point-in-time instantaneous cloningCreating instant copies at a specific moment in time.).

• Lustre: Lustre is a distributed parallel file system that is open-source and designed to be scalable, high-performing, and highly available. Lustre provides High Performance Computing (HPC) which makes it the most suitable option for the Machine Learning workflows. It works on Linux-based operating systems and follows a client-server network setup. Lustre provides a seamless integration with Amazon S3 for both read and write operations. Its primary goal is to provide a unified and globally accessible namespace compliant with POSIXPortable Operating System Interface is a family of standards specified by IEEE for maintaining compatibility among operating systems. standards for large-scale computing systems.

Selecting a file system is typically based on our familiarity with a particular file system or by aligning the file system’s feature sets, performance profiles, and data management capabilities with our workload requirements.

Use cases

Amazon FSx is a versatile service that can be used in various scenarios. Here are some common use cases:

• Migrating workloads to the cloud: Amazon FSx provides a smooth path for organizations to shift their on-premises workloads to the cloud. It retains the same performance, security, compatibility, and operational benefits that organizations are accustomed to with their existing on-premises storage technologies.

• Enterprise applications: Amazon FSx is ideal for hosting enterprise applications, which are software solutions designed for large organizations or businesses, requiring shared storage. It brings reliability, security, scalability, and broad capabilities to support a wide range of workloads critical to the operations of enterprises.

• Data analysis workflows: Amazon FSx for Windows File Server has been used by many companies to deploy secure, reliable, and scalable virtual desktops and fully managed shared file storage for their seismic data analysis workflows.

• SQL Server migration: Companies have utilized Amazon FSx for Windows File Server to shift their SQL Server databases to AWS, achieving higher availability, increased scalability, and reduced operational load.

Benefits of FSx

Amazon FSx provides accessible file storage with strong performance, serving various needs effectively. It supports common protocols, allowing users with Linux, Windows, and macOS applications to connect seamlessly. With Amazon FSx, we can expect fast response times and efficient data transfer to handle even the toughest tasks. It combines the features of popular file systems with the ease of a fully managed AWS service, making it easier to move older applications and create new ones with advanced features.

• Accessible file storage: Amazon FSx provides accessible file storage with strong performance, serving various needs effectively. It supports common protocols, allowing users with Linux and Windows applications to connect seamlessly. Therefore, Amazon FSx for Windows File Server would be the most suitable option for this.

• Fast response times: With Amazon FSx, we can expect fast response times and efficient data transfer to handle even the toughest tasks. Both Amazon FSx for Windows File Server and Lustre could be suitable options due to their high-performance capabilities.

• Efficient data management: Amazon FSx simplifies data management tasks by facilitating seamless data migration and synchronization from on-premises systems to AWS. This data becomes instantly accessible to various AWS services. Amazon FSx for Windows File Server and OpenZFS could be suitable options for efficient data management due to their features facilitating data migration and synchronization.

• Cyber resilience: Amazon FSx contributes to enhancing an organization’s cyber resilience. It safeguards our data by automatically replicating it within or across AWS Availability Zones to protect it from component failure. NetApp ONTAP and Lustre could be suitable options for this benefit due to their features for data replication and resilience.

• High availability and protection: Amazon FSx ensures data reliability and availability by automatically replicating it within or across AWS Availability Zones, guarding against component failures. It actively monitors hardware for issues and switches to standby servers if needed. NetApp ONTAP and Lustre could be suitable options for this benefit as well, given their capabilities for data replication and high availability.