AWS (Amazon Web Services) Certification Practice Exam

Which AWS Storage Gateway configuration supports file-level access to data stored in the cloud?

1. Volume Gateway

2. File Gateway

3. Tape Gateway

4. Cached Volume Gateway

The correct answer is: File Gateway

The File Gateway configuration of AWS Storage Gateway is specifically designed to provide file-level access to data that is stored in the cloud. It allows applications and users to access object storage in Amazon S3 using standard file system protocols such as NFS (Network File System) and SMB (Server Message Block). This enables organizations to integrate their existing applications with cloud storage seamlessly, treating the cloud as an extension of their on-premises file systems. File Gateway caches frequently accessed files on-premises, which reduces latency and improves performance. Data that is not cached is stored in Amazon S3, providing scalability and durability. This solution is particularly beneficial for applications that require a traditional file system interface while leveraging the benefits of cloud object storage. In contrast, other configurations like Volume Gateway and Cached Volume Gateway offer block-level storage solutions, which are optimized for use cases that require disk volumes instead of files. The Tape Gateway is tailored for backup and archival use cases, providing a virtual tape infrastructure, and is not designed for file-level access. Each of these configurations serves different purposes and use cases, making File Gateway the right choice for scenarios that involve file-level data access in the cloud.