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Section 08: AWS Hybrid Cloud & Connectivity

Overview​

Hybrid cloud combines on-premises systems with public cloud, enabling secure, scalable, and cost-efficient solutions—crucial for government and classified environments.

AWS Direct Connect​

Dedicated, private network connection from your site to AWS.

Benefits:

  • Lower cost vs. internet
  • Predictable, high bandwidth (1–100 Gbps)
  • Secure (no public internet exposure)

Gov/Classified:

  • Meets data residency/security needs
  • Use redundancy for availability

AWS VPN​

Encrypted tunnels connect on-premises networks/users to AWS—over the internet.

Types:

  • Site-to-Site: Network-to-VPC
  • Client VPN: Remote users-to-VPC

Benefits:

  • Secure (IPsec, FIPS 140-2)
  • Flexible & cost-effective

Gov/Classified:

  • Use as backup or for small offices

AWS Storage Gateway​

Bridges on-premises storage with AWS.

Types:

  • File Gateway: S3 via NFS/SMB
  • Volume Gateway: iSCSI (cache/stored)
  • Tape Gateway: VTL to S3

Benefits:

  • Hybrid storage, backup & DR
  • Compliant long-term archive

Gov/Classified:

  • Secure/immutable archival
  • Integrate with existing backups

AWS DataSync​

Automates secure, high-speed data transfers between on-prem and AWS storage.

Benefits:

  • Fast, parallel & automated
  • Scheduled tasks
  • Data integrity verified

Gov/Classified:

  • Large-scale migrations
  • Supports GovCloud & compliance tracking

AWS Snow Family​

Physical devices for edge processing & offline data transfer.

Types:

  • Snowcone: Small edge device
  • Snowball Edge: Compute/storage
  • Snowmobile: Massive-scale (100PB)

Benefits:

  • Offline transfer
  • Edge compute
  • Physical security

Gov/Classified:

  • For disconnected or secure locations
  • Meets chain-of-custody & tamper requirements

Hybrid Architecture Patterns​

  • Data Center Extension: Connect on-premises to VPC (Direct Connect/VPN)
  • Disaster Recovery: Replicate data/apps to AWS
  • Bursting: Scale compute with cloud
  • Edge Compute: Use Snow/Outposts for local + AWS sync

Gov/Classified: Challenges & Best Practices​

  • Security/Compliance: FedRAMP/NIST/DoD SRG
  • Data Residency: Geographically bound data
  • Performance: Latency/Bandwidth management
  • Ops: Unify monitoring & resource management
  • Interoperability: Seamless data/app flow

Best Practices:

  • Transit Gateway for routing
  • IAM integration
  • Centralized logging (CloudWatch/CloudTrail+SIEM)
  • IaC for automation
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Frequent security audits
  • Use Cross-Domain Solutions