Introduction

In a major shift towards cloud-first solutions, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has officially retired its Snowcone data migration appliances, along with several older models of Snowball devices. The discontinuation reflects a growing trend among customers favoring online data transfer methods over offline solutions.

About Snowcone

For those unfamiliar, the Snowcone was a compact, ruggedized network-attached storage (NAS) device, measuring just 9x6x3 inches. It was particularly useful for organizations that struggled to migrate vast amounts of data to the cloud. Once users filled the device with data, they would return it to Amazon, where the data would be uploaded to the desired Amazon S3 bucket.

Announcement of Discontinuation

On Tuesday, AWS announced the discontinuation of Snowcone devices, and the product documentation has since been removed from the AWS website. The Snowcone was available in configurations featuring either 8TB of hard disk storage or 14TB of SSD storage, catering to different user needs.

Support for Current Users

Despite the discontinuation, existing Snowcone users need not panic. AWS has committed to supporting current customers until the same time next year. However, AWS is urging users to expedite their data migration to avoid being left with devices that have no functional purpose.

Retirement of Other Devices

The retirement of Snowcone isn't an isolated incident. AWS has also phased out three previous generations of its Snowball appliances. These devices functioned as ruggedized suitcase servers, suitable for a variety of functions, including data storage and edge computing. Specifically, AWS has discontinued the Snowball Edge Storage Optimized 80GB, Edge Compute Optimized (with 52 vCPUs), and Compute Optimized (with GPU capabilities) versions.

Future of Data Migration Devices

Fortunately for users of these devices, AWS will not require their return for another year, providing some breathing room for users to migrate their data.

Continuing Innovations

However, while Snowcone and many older Snowball models are phased out, AWS continues to advance its newer Snowball offerings. The latest generation includes a version with a staggering 210TB of NVMe storage and another optimized for computing with 104 vCPUs. Unfortunately, those seeking a Snowball version equipped with GPU capabilities will have to look elsewhere, as that option is no longer available.

Transition to Cloud Solutions

This announcement comes shortly after AWS decided to retire its Snowmobile data transport service, which used trucks loaded with hardware to shuttle enormous data quantities between on-premises data centers and the cloud. Amazon's explanation for this transition is simple: most customers overwhelmingly prefer online data migrations to offline methods.

Recommendations for Users

Instead, AWS recommends using services like DataSync or AWS Direct Connect for seamless data transfers over the internet. For edge computing needs, the company suggests turning to its more traditional 1U and 2U Outpost systems, steering users away from the once-quirky suitcase-like Snowball devices.

Conclusion

As cloud technology continues to evolve, organizations will need to adapt to the preferences of service providers like AWS to take advantage of the most efficient data management solutions available.