Amazon S3 Storage Classes

Amazon S3 Storage classes broadly classified as below:

• Frequently accessed tier
• Infrequently accessed tier
• Unknown or Changing access tier
• Archive tier
• Deep Archive tier

Amazon S3 Standard (Frequently accessed):

Default storage class. Data can be accessed in milliseconds and
usually most frequently accessed data stored.
Supports Resilient/Availability as data persisted in multiple AZs.
No min/max storage duration. No min size. No retrieval fees.

Amazon S3 Standard-Infrequent Access (Infrequently accessed):

Data can be accessed in milliseconds.
Supports Resilient/Availability as data persisted in multiple AZs.
To be stored minimum 30 days in this class. If an object deleted before 30 days, still charged for 30 days. Minimum file size 128 KB size. If uploading <128KB file, still charged for 128KB.
Charged for data retrieval.

Amazon S3 One Zone-Infrequent Access (Infrequently accessed):

Data can be accessed in millisecond access.
Less Resilient / Less Availability as data persisted only in Single AZ (so less cost).
To be stored minimum 30 days in this class. If an object deleted before 30 days, still charged for 30 days. Minimum file size 128 KB size. If uploading <128KB file, still charged for 128KB.
Charged for data retrieval.

Amazon S3 Intelligent-Tiering (Unknown or Changing Access):

Automated cost savings by monitoring and analyzing access patterns, moves the data to appropriate storage class.
Supports Resilient/Availability as data persisted in multiple AZs.
At first, uses the frequent access tier. Monitors access patterns and moves objects not accessed for 30 (min) consecutive days to Infrequent tier.
Moves objects not accessed for 90 (min) consecutive days to Archive access tier (only when activated). Retrieval between 3-5 hrs.
Moves objects not accessed for 180 (min) consecutive days to Deep Archive access tier (only when activated). Retrieval within 12 hrs.
No min size. If uploading < 128KB file - not charged but eligible only for frequent access tier. No retrieval fees. No lifecycle fees. But monthly object monitoring & automation fees applies.

Amazon S3 Glacier Instant Retrieval (Archive tier):

Data can be accessed in milliseconds.
Supports Resilient/Availability as data persisted in multiple AZs.
Minimum data needs to be stored for 90 days. If an object deleted before 90 days, pro-rated charge for remaining days applies. Min 128 KB size. If uploading < 128KB file, still charged for 128KB
Charged for data retrieval.

Amazon S3 Glacier Flexible Retrieval (Archive tier):

Expedited, then data can be retrieved in 1-5 mins.
Standard, then data can be retrieved in 3-5 hours.
Bulk, then data can be retrieved in 5-12 hours for free.
Supports Resilient/Availability as data persisted in multiple AZs.
Minimum data needs to be stored for 90 days. If an object deleted before 90 days, pro-rated charge for remaining days applies.
Minimum object 40KB size expected. If uploading < 40KB file, still charged for 40KB.
Charged for data retrieval.

Amazon S3 Glacier Deep Archive (Deep Archive tier):

Default retrieval time of 12 hrs.
Supports Resilient/Availability as data persisted in multiple AZs.
Minimum data needs to be stored for 180 days. If an object deleted before 180 days, pro-rated charge for remaining days applies.
Minimum object 40KB size expected. If uploading < 40KB file, still charged for 40KB.

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