What is the purpose of AWS Snowball?

The purpose of AWS Snowball is to transfer large amounts of data securely using physical appliances. This service is particularly useful for organizations that need to move large volumes of data into or out of the AWS cloud but may face limitations such as slow internet connections or bandwidth constraints.

AWS Snowball provides a practical solution by sending a physical device to the customer, which can then be filled with data and securely shipped back to AWS. Once returned, the data is uploaded directly to the customer's chosen AWS services such as Amazon S3. The use of this appliance ensures that data transfer is not only speedy and efficient, but also secure, as the device comes with encryption and tamper-proof features to protect sensitive information during transit.

This makes Snowball an essential tool for data migration projects, backup and recovery plans, or any scenario where transferring substantial data volumes is necessary without relying solely on internet connectivity.