The AWS Snow Family addresses challenges in data transfer and edge computing, particularly in disconnected or remote environments, by providing robust devices for massive data movement and local data processing. It aims to solve issues related to offline connectivity, accelerate large-scale data transfers, and ensure data security during transit. (source_page: 6, 9)
Core Purpose and Problems Solved
The AWS Snow Family provides physical devices for data transfer and edge computing in challenging environments.
The AWS Snow family addresses challenges in data transfer and edge computing, particularly in disconnected or remote environments.
The Snow Family solves critical problems related to data management and processing outside traditional data centers.
AWS Snow Family Devices
The AWS Snow Family comprises several devices, each designed for different scale and compute requirements.
These rugged, portable devices offer various capacities for data transfer and edge computing.
AWS Snow Cone
The smallest and most portable member of the Snow family, designed to fit in a backpack.
weight
~4.5 lbs
storage
8 TB (HDD) or 14 TB (SSD)
compute
2 vCPUs, 4 GB RAM
Use Cases:
- IoT data collection
- On-site video compression
- Scenarios with extreme space and power limitations
AWS Snowball Edge
Rugged, portable devices for remote storage, edge computing, and large-scale offline data transfer.
AWS Snowmobile
A 45-foot ruggedized shipping container pulled by a semi-truck, designed for exabyte-scale data moves.
capacity
Up to 100 PB per truck
Use Cases:
- Exabyte-scale data moves
- Decommissioning entire on-premises data centers
- Migrating massive historical archives
Device Comparison and Use Cases
comparison-table
A summary comparison of the AWS Snow Family devices based on their size, capacity, and primary use cases.
Each Snow Family device is optimized for different scales of data transfer and edge computing scenarios.
| Option |
Size/Portability |
Capacity |
Primary Use Cases |
| Snow Cone |
Smallest, most portable (fits in a backpack) |
Small data (8 TB HDD / 14 TB SSD) |
IoT, remote locations |
| Snowball Edge |
Middle ground (rack-scale capacity) |
Large migrations and edge analytics (up to petabyte data transfers) |
Rack-scale capacity, significant compute for large migrations and edge analytics. Ideal for up to petabyte data transfers. |
| Snowmobile |
Truck-based (45-foot ruggedized shipping container) |
Exabyte-scale moves (greater than 50 PB) |
Exabyte-scale moves. Best for data transfers greater than 50 PB. |
AWS Snow Family Edge Computing Capabilities
AWS Snow Family devices can act as mini data centers at the edge, providing local compute and storage.
The devices function as mini data centers, enabling local data processing even in disconnected environments.
Users can run Amazon EC2 instances directly on Snowball Edge or Snow Cone devices using custom AMIs.
The devices provide S3-compatible storage endpoints for local data access.
These capabilities allow applications to collect and process data locally, even when disconnected from the cloud.
Common applications include machine learning inference on factory floors and analyzing sensor data in remote oil fields.
AWS OpsHub
AWS OpsHub is a desktop application designed to simplify the management of Snow family devices.
A desktop application that provides a simple graphical user interface (GUI) for managing Snow family devices.
It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
OpsHub allows users to perform various management tasks.
It simplifies operations significantly compared to using command-line interfaces.
Service Discontinuation Notice
AWS has announced discontinuation for new customers for certain Snow Family devices, effective November 7, 2025.
The discontinuation of certain services is effective November 7, 2025.
Technical Specs: Effective November 7, 2025
AWS Snowball Edge will be available only to existing customers.
AWS Snow Cone will not be available, even for existing customers.
AWS recommends alternatives such as AWS DataSync for online data transfer and AWS Outposts for edge computing.
Comparison with AWS DataSync
comparison-table
Understanding when to use AWS DataSync versus the AWS Snow Family for data transfer scenarios.
DataSync and Snow Family address different aspects of data transfer, primarily online vs. offline/remote environments.
| Option |
Connectivity Type |
Environment Suitability |
Data Transfer Scale (Optimal) |
| AWS DataSync |
Online data transfer (internet, Direct Connect, VPN) |
Environments with online connectivity |
Large datasets (terabytes/petabytes) for online transfer |
| AWS Snow Family |
Offline or severely limited internet connectivity |
Offline environments, remote locations |
Petabyte-scale data transfers that would take weeks (for large devices) |