What is Data Transfer Terminal?

AWS Data Transfer Terminal is a network-ready physical location you can bring your data storage devices for fast data transfer to and from the AWS Cloud. Simply schedule a reservation at one of our physical Data Transfer Terminal facilities from the AWS Management Console, arrive at the colocation facility at your scheduled time, and upload your data to your AWS Cloud services with your own devices in a private setting. After your scheduled reservation is complete and you leave, the facility is re-secured and made ready for the next customer.

Features

Key features of Data Transfer Terminal include:

Performance and timing considerations

Data upload performance varies based on the equipment used and network conditions. To best estimate how long a data upload may take, refer to your equipment specifications for suggested upload performance speeds. Times of heavy network traffic will impact data upload speeds and should be taken into consideration when selecting a time for your data transfer session.

Concepts and terminology

Using AWS Data Transfer Terminal requires a Process owner to schedule a reservation for a Data transfer specialist to access a Data Transfer Terminal facility. Refer to the following sections to learn more about Data Transfer Terminal terminology.

Transfer team

A Transfer team is a grouping of personnel determined by an AWS account owner that may be selected for conducting data transfers on behalf of your organization. Setting up a Transfer team includes giving the Transfer team a name and specifying personnel for the team. We recommend groups of four or fewer Data transfer specialists for a single reservation.

For more information, see Scheduling a Data Transfer Terminal reservation.

Personnel

Facilities

Data Transfer Terminal facilities are co-owned data hubs, owned and managed by one or more service providers. Each facility requires Data Transfer Terminal Data transfer specialists to provide a government issued, proof of identity that must match their reservation records before permitting access to the Data Transfer Terminal suite.

Some Data Transfer Terminal facilities have more than one option for reservation.

Use cases

While any AWS Enterprise customer can access the Data Transfer Terminal system, certain use case scenarios may find greater benefit from it.

Autonomous Driving and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (AD/ADAS): Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and suppliers generate large data sets from their fleets of autonomous vehicles operating and collecting data in numerous metros within North America, Europe, and ASEAN. The data collected by these fleet vehicles are uploaded to the cloud and used to train AD/ADAS models.

Media and Entertainment: Studios and other content creators often generate digital video and audio (AV) files in remote locations. It is important these AV files are uploaded to the cloud in a timely manner so that geographically dispersed production and editing teams can begin workflows in parallel and in real-time. This production model in-turn can reduce production timelines which translates to reduction in production costs.

Maps, Photogrammetry, and 3D imagery: Any mapping or imagery application that collects data in remote locations and is then uploads these visual files to the AWS Cloud for analysis or training. Notable applications included map generation and updating and agricultural yield monitoring.

Pricing

AWS Data Transfer Terminal reservations are billed in port-hour increments and may vary based on network utilization.

For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information, refer to Data Transfer Terminal Pricing.

Related services

AWS Data Transfer Terminal offers a physical location for uploading your data from your data storage device of choice to your AWS Cloud service. The following AWS services provide the optimal experience while using Data Transfer Terminal.