Cloud Computing

Upload to the Cloud Faster with AWS Terminals

Ken Metral

02 Dec 2024 — 2 min read

Image Credit: Amazon Web Services, Inc.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced the general availability of its Data Transfer Terminal, a physical facility designed to enable faster and more secure data uploads to the AWS Cloud. The service is now available in Los Angeles and New York, with plans to expand globally.

What Is AWS Data Transfer Terminal?

The Data Transfer Terminal is a secure location where customers can bring their storage devices and upload large datasets directly to AWS public endpoints, such as Amazon S3 and Amazon Elastic File System (EFS). The terminals provide high-throughput connections, significantly reducing the time required to ingest data.

This service is ideal for:

Machine Learning (ML) Training: Uploading datasets collected from fleets of vehicles operating in metro areas.
Media Processing: Transferring large audio and video files from content creators.
Geographic Analysis: Uploading mapping or imagery data from local government organizations.

Additionally, customers can bring AWS Snowball devices to upload data on-site and continue using the device without relying on traditional shipping methods.

How It Works

Using the AWS Management Console, customers can check availability and reserve a time slot at their nearest terminal. The process involves:

Creating a Transfer Team: Set up a team and add members for personal or group reservations.
Making a Reservation: Select a team, assign a process owner, and choose a terminal location and time slot. Reservations are charged hourly, with no per-GB transfer fee for data uploaded to AWS Regions on the same continent.
Uploading Data: On the reserved date, connect your storage device to an AWS endpoint, initiate the data transfer, and validate completion.

For security, terminals have no visible AWS signage, keeping the location discrete.

Jeff Barr’s Feedback on Pilot Testing

Jeff Barr, AWS’s Chief Evangelist, tested a pilot terminal in Seattle. He reported that the process was seamless, with secure access to AWS's global network infrastructure. The facilities are equipped with patch panels, fiber optic cables, and computers for remote server access during data transfers.

Now Available

AWS Data Transfer Terminal is live in Los Angeles and New York. Pricing is based on hourly use, and data transfers within the same continent are free of per-GB charges. AWS plans to roll out more locations globally in the future.

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