Introduction to Amazon Glacier
Amazon Glacier is a low-cost cloud storage service offered by AWS for data archiving and long-term backup. It is designed to provide secure, durable, and extremely low-cost storage, making it ideal for data that is infrequently accessed but must be retained for compliance or historical purposes.
Key Features of Amazon Glacier
1. Cost-Effective Storage
- Amazon Glacier is one of the cheapest storage solutions provided by AWS.
- It charges based on the amount of data stored per GB per month.
- Designed for long-term storage, starting at $0.004 per GB/month.
2. Data Retrieval Options
Amazon Glacier offers three retrieval options based on urgency:
- Expedited Retrieval (~1–5 minutes) – For urgent access to data.
- Standard Retrieval (~3–5 hours) – For routine data access.
- Bulk Retrieval (~5–12 hours) – For large-scale retrievals at the lowest cost.
3. High Durability and Security
- 99.999999999% (11 9’s) durability, ensuring that data is never lost.
- Encryption: Data is encrypted automatically using AES-256.
- Access Control: IAM policies and S3 Bucket Policies help manage access.
4. Amazon Glacier Vaults & Archives
- Vaults: Containers that store archives (files or data).
- Archives: The actual data files stored within a vault.
5. Compliance & Regulatory Support
- Supports HIPAA, FedRAMP, and GDPR compliance.
- Audit Logs: AWS CloudTrail logs every API request for security and tracking.
Amazon Glacier vs Amazon S3 Glacier
AWS offers S3 Glacier as an extension of Amazon S3, which has:
- S3 Glacier – Integrates with S3, with a more user-friendly interface.
- S3 Glacier Deep Archive – The cheapest option for data that is rarely accessed.
Comparison Table:
| Feature | Amazon Glacier | Amazon S3 Glacier |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Very low | Slightly higher |
| Use Case | Cold storage & compliance | Backup & disaster recovery |
| Access | Vaults & Archives | S3 Object Lifecycle |
| Retrieval | Slower | More flexible |
Use Cases of Amazon Glacier
1. Data Archiving
- Long-term storage for documents, media files, and database backups.
2. Compliance & Regulatory Storage
- Organizations storing legal, medical, or financial records.
3. Media & Entertainment
- Long-term storage for movies, TV shows, and historical video footage.
4. Scientific Research
- Researchers storing large datasets for future analysis.
5. Backup & Disaster Recovery
- Storing backups for recovery in case of a disaster.
How to Use Amazon Glacier
Step 1: Create a Vault
- Go to AWS Management Console → Amazon Glacier.
- Select Create Vault and specify the AWS Region.
- Enable notifications for retrieval events if needed.
Step 2: Upload Data to Glacier
- Use AWS CLI, SDKs, or third-party tools to upload data as Archives.
Step 3: Retrieve Data
- Choose Expedited, Standard, or Bulk retrieval based on urgency.
Step 4: Manage & Monitor
- Use AWS CloudTrail and AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) for security.
- Set lifecycle policies for automatic data deletion after a set period.
Pricing of Amazon Glacier
- Storage: Starts at $0.004 per GB/month.
- Retrieval: Cost varies based on retrieval speed.
- Data Transfer: Free within AWS but charges apply for outbound transfers.
For the latest pricing, check AWS Pricing Page.
Final Thoughts
Amazon Glacier is a powerful and cost-effective solution for long-term data storage. With different retrieval options and integration with AWS security services, it is a great choice for businesses that need to retain large amounts of data over time.