<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if you\u2019re continuously ingesting data from the edge in remote places, or have a subset of data at the edge that needs to remain there or be updated, the online delivery model to AWS doesn\u2019t work so well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In these situations, you may want to consider a solution like Resilio Active Everywhere \u2014 a highly reliable file ingest software that runs on any device and fully utilizes any network. You can learn more about\u00a0<\/em>Resilio as an alternative to\u00a0AWS Snowball Edge\u00a0and AWS Snowcone here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this guide, you\u2019ll learn how <\/strong>AWS Snowball<\/strong> works in detail \u2014 including its use cases, benefits, and workflow. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll also explore the key downsides that teams face when using it, like: <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n To help you overcome these downsides in cases where you\u2019re looking to collect and control files on the edge on a recurring basis, we\u2019ll also explore\u00a0Resilio Active Everywhere (formerly Connect)<\/a>\u2014\u00a0our reliable, efficient, and secure file ingest solution designed to work incredibly well in low connectivity or extreme edge locations.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our solution is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Below, we\u2019ll provide a quick overview of how AWS Snowball works. Then, we\u2019ll cover Resilio Platform (a software-only ingest solution) and three hardware-based cloud provider alternatives for AWS Snowball. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Customers rely on Resilio Active Everywhere to ingest, sync, and replicate data for media workflows\u00a0(Turner Sports, Innovative), gaming (Wargaming, Larian Studios), remote operations (Mercedes-Benz, Buckeye Power Sales), and more. If you want to learn how Resilio Platform can help your business,\u00a0<\/em>schedule a demo with our team<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n To start using AWS Snowball, you need to open the AWS Snow Family console and select between:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n To select and order your device of choice, you need to create a job with an Amazon S3 bucket. This is a simple task that you can perform by following the instructions in the AWS developer guides<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AWS prepares and ships the device to you in four to six business days, after which you can unlock it with AWS OpsHub and connect it to your LAN (local area network). AWS OpsHub is actually used to manage the device, transfer data, and launch Amazon EC2 instances.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019re done, you ship the device back to AWS. Their team uploads your data to an S3 storage bucket, after which the data is securely erased from the device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of pricing, you pay only for your use of the AWS Snowball Edge device and for data transfer out of AWS. You can learn more about Snowball\u2019s pricing structure here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest benefit of AWS Snowball is the ability to move offline data and local storage into the cloud from all over the world. <\/strong>This includes places with extreme conditions and little or no network connectivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if it takes up to two weeks to ship the Snowball device back and forth (a major downside, discussed below), for users in remote locations with no connectivity, it\u2019s still worthwhile to have any<\/em> means to transfer data to an S3 bucket. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can include businesses in various industries, like architecture and construction, earth sciences, energy, and even gaming that collect data at the extreme edge \u2014 for example, via drones, cameras, vehicles, or other IoT devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an ingest solution, Snowball also provides a few other benefits as well, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n But despite these benefits, AWS Snowball has certain limitations that can\u2019t be avoided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Shipping devices to and from remote locations is difficult, expensive, and stressful. The transport often has to take place over rough terrain at extreme temperatures, which creates legitimate risks for your data\u2019s safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can easily take over two weeks to receive the device from AWS, set it up, ship it back to AWS, and have someone from their team upload your data to the cloud. And this is assuming no interruptions to the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But there can easily be delays during the device preparation and shipping. Receiving, configuring, and staging data onto the appliance in a remote environment can also take much longer than expected. Plus, there\u2019s the time needed to synchronize the source and destination datasets. All this makes it very difficult to know when your data will be available in a target location.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lastly, AWS Snowball also relies on AWS DataSync for online data transfer. While DataSync can be useful for one-time data migrations from on-prem to the cloud, its point-to-point nature makes it very unreliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its transfer speeds are limited to the slowest endpoint, with each device being a single point of failure. If a connection is lost for any reason, which is common in extreme environments, data transfers will stop and need to restart either from the beginning or (best case) where they left off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, DataSync and other TCP-based transfer solutions do a very poor job in scenarios with intermittent low <\/strong>bandwidth<\/strong> connectivity. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Read our full article here: <\/em>AWS DataSync: Strengths, Weaknesses, Alternatives & More<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Resilio Active Everywhere<\/a>\u00a0is our file ingest solution that uses a P2P (peer-to-peer) architecture and proprietary, UDP-based WAN optimization technology to deliver the fastest transfer, sync, and replication speeds in the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our solution is a superior alternative to AWS Snowball because it\u2019s:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the next sections, we\u2019ll explore these benefits in more detail, so you can get a good understanding of how Resilio Active Everywhere can help your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike AWS Snowball, Resilio Active Everywhere doesn\u2019t require you to buy new hardware and train your team on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, our solution is agent-based, allowing it to be deployed on just about any device or infrastructure.<\/strong> For example, you can set up Resilio on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because Resilio doesn\u2019t require you to buy new hardware, you can set up our solution and begin syncing your data in as little as two hours. As a result, you get much better predictability<\/strong> in terms of when your data will be available in a certain region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Resilio Platform is also a cloud-agnostic solution. While AWS Snowball, DataSync, and other proprietary ingest and sync solutions are built to keep you in the AWS ecosystem, Resilio gives you complete control over where your data is stored.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, you can use Resilio Platform to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In short,\u00a0with Resilio Active Everywhere, you have the freedom to build and tear down projects in any cloud at an instant<\/strong>, without worrying about vendor lock-in.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks to its versatility, you can even use Resilio Platform as <\/strong>an addition<\/em><\/strong> to <\/strong>AWS Snowball<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if you\u2019re operating in an area with no network connectivity, you\u2019ll need a hardware solution like Snowball to get your data into the cloud. Once your data is in the cloud, you can use Resilio for all your transfer, sync, and replication needs. That way you won\u2019t have to rely on AWS solutions (like S3 Replication<\/a> or S3 Transfer Acceleration<\/a>), which are complex to manage and limited in terms of transfer speeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Traditional transfer, sync, and replication solutions, including DataSync, S3 Replication, and others offered by AWS use one of two types of point-to-point transfers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Both models have severe disadvantages that make them unsuitable for many use cases, including syncing large files<\/a> and large numbers of files, or syncing to many endpoints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Data transfers are always limited to one device at a time. <\/strong>This inevitably leads to slower transfer speeds since the process can only take place between two devices at a time. Each device is also a single point of failure, so common issues in extreme environments \u2014 like slow networks or power outages \u2014 can easily obstruct the transfer process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AWS\u2019 solutions also use TCP for transfer over WANs (wide area networks), which further impacts transfer speeds. Packet loss and latency, which are defining characteristics of WANs, both disrupt TCP, leading to delays and an inability to make the most out of expensive WAN connections.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Resilio Active Everywhere’s P2P Architecture and UDP-based WAN Optimization technology can help you overcome these issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Resilio Platform uses a unique P2P (peer-to-peer) architecture to let every device in your environment take part in <\/strong>data transfers<\/strong>. <\/strong>There are two key benefits of this approach compared to standard point-to-point architectures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, Resilio Platform uses file chunking to separate files into different pieces and transfer them independently. This process results in transfer speeds that are 3<\/strong>\u2013<\/strong>10 times faster than traditional solutions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The unique P2P architecture and the ability to hash files in chunks allows Resilio Platform to sync files in any direction: <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Resilio Platform uses a proprietary, UDP-based transfer protocol called Zero Gravity Transport<\/strong>\u2122(ZGT) to maximize transfer speed across any network and overcome latency and packet loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ZGT is optimized for unreliable networks<\/strong>, allowing you to ingest, sync, and replicate data from the edge of a network to a centralized location. You can use any network (VSAT, broadband, Wi-Fi, cell, etc.) and any device while overcoming the most extreme conditions to collect and move many terabytes<\/em> of data in predictable timeframes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ZGT does this by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n For a deeper dive into this topic, we have a detailed WAN <\/strong>optimization<\/strong> whitepaper<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also go to our speed calculator<\/strong><\/a> to estimate how much time Resilio\u2019s technology can save your organization, based on your use case (server sync, remote work, fast file send, and so on).<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Resilio Active Everywhere’s P2P architecture and USD-based WAN Optimization also make it an ideal\u00a0disaster recovery solution<\/a>\u00a0because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In short, Resilio Platform is perfect for implementing various disaster recovery strategies, like hot-site DR<\/a>, warm-site DR, cold DR, and offsite copy.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n For a real-life example of Resilio Active Everywhere’s impact, check\u00a0<\/em>our case study with the Northern Marine Group<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before using Resilio, the company had to mail physical CDs with software updates, so it took weeks to troubleshoot all the installs on the ships. Thanks to Resilio, they now distribute and synchronize updates across their fleet of vessels in a much faster, simpler, and more reliable way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Specifically, the time needed to bring the fleet into compliance dropped from six months to just two weeks \u2014 a 92% improvement.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what Paul Clark, Head of IT at Northern Marine Group, had to say about working with Resilio:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Being able to use the scripting engine meant that we could essentially have the updates distribute, install, and report back on status automatically, allowing us to avoid the installation going wrong because of user error.” <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Transferring data from the edge to a central location always carries risks, especially when shipping hardware devices back and forth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why we\u2019ve built state-of-the-art security features right into Resilio Active Everywhere. This means you don\u2019t have to buy separate security software to ensure your data arrives at its destination intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These features include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lastly, all Resilio Platform security features have been verified by 3rd-party security experts to guarantee they\u2019re up to the highest data protection standards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Complexity has always been one of AWS\u2019 biggest downsides. There are so many services for ingesting, transferring, syncing, and replicating data that it can be incredibly time-consuming to find the right option for your needs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, you can use the AWS Snow Family (AWS Snowmobile for exabyte-scale migrations, Snowball, and Snowcone) to ingest data into the AWS cloud. From there, you can use S3 Replication to replicate it across one or more regions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, AWS offers other replication solutions that are more suitable to niche use cases, like DataSync, S3 Batch Operations Copy, and the S3 CopyObject API. If you want to speed up data transfers, you can also choose from a range of AWS services like S3 Transfer Acceleration. And this doesn\u2019t even take into account auxiliary features for tracking and debugging these processes, as well as other services like AWS Lambda, EC2, and Direct Connect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In contrast, Resilio Platform removes all of that complexity by letting you control all aspects of data ingest, transfer, sync, and replication from a Central Management Console.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Console lets you easily set up: <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also use it to control bandwidth allocation for each endpoint, collect logs, manage Resilio agents, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, MixHits Radio was able to massively reduce their troubleshooting times thanks to the ability to do everything from the Central Management Console:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have gone from spending 15 hours on average per week troubleshooting conflicts in the prior solution to spending no time at all with Resilio. We configure jobs once in the Resilio Platform Management Console and never have to look at it again.\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Gary Hanna, CEO of MixHits Radio<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out the full case study on our website<\/em><\/a>\u00a0for more details on how MixHits Radio\u2019s team uses Resilio Active Everywhere.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also use the Central Management Console to increase efficiency and lower egress costs by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of simplicity and ease of use, Resilio Platform also gives users access to their files \u2014 regardless if they\u2019re in AWS, another cloud provider, or on-premises \u2014 from a simple user interface. The interface operates much like Microsoft OneDrive, making it very familiar and initiative for most users.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n While AWS Snowball is among the most popular ways to ingest data from the edge to the cloud, it\u2019s not the only tool for the job. Below, we\u2019ll look at four other options, including our software-only ingest solution and three hardware-based services from other cloud providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n As we explained earlier,\u00a0Resilio Active Everywhere<\/a> is an ideal AWS Snowball alternative for companies that need to transfer lots of data across large distances quickly and securely, without the hassle of handling new hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our solution is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can learn more about Resilio Active Everywhere by\u00a0<\/em>visiting our website and scheduling a live demo with our team<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
How AWS Snowball Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"AWS](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AWS-snowball-1024x386.png\")
AWS Snowball\u2019s Benefits and Limitations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Limitation #1: Shipping and Managing New Hardware in Extreme Environments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Limitation #2: Uncertainty around Data Availability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Limitation #3: An Unreliable Online Data Transfer Option<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Resilio Active Everywhere: The Best Software-Only AWS Snowball Alternative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Flexible, Software-Only Solution: Use Your Existing Devices without Needing New Hardware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n
![\"Storage](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image3-1024x776.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nP2P Architecture and WAN Optimization: Fast, Reliable, and Scalable Data Ingest in Any Environment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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P2P Architecture<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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![\"GIF](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/image2.gif\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
WAN Optimization<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
![\"Cross-office](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/s3-cross-region-replication-3-1024x668.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"Hot\/Live](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/hot-dr-warm-dr-cold-dr-and-offsite-copy-699x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/remote-vessel-server-sync-1024x858.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSecurity by Default: Enterprise-Grade Data Protection Capabilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Central Management Console: Simple, Centralized Management for All Data Ingest, Sync, and Replication Needs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/agent-hybrid-cloud-gateway_1-1-1024x662.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"Edit](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/cross-region-replication-Azure-5.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/always-keep-on-this-device-option-761x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n4 Top Alternatives to AWS Snowball<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Resilio Active Everywhere<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-963x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
2. Azure Data Box<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"Azure](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/azure-data-box-1024x383.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Google](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/google-cloud-transfer-appliance-1024x467.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Backblaze](\"https:\/\/blog.resilio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/backblaze-b2-fireball-1024x360.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n