Amazon Web Services Elastic File System (EFS)

Simple, scalable file storage for use with Amazon EC2 instances in the AWS Cloud.

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Description

Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) provides simple, scalable file storage for use with Amazon EC2 instances in the AWS Cloud. EFS grows and shrinks automatically, so your applications have the storage they need, when they need it. Multiple EC2 instances can access an EFS file system at the same time. EFS provides high performance, availability and durability.

Cost

Greater than $1000 / TB / year

Limitations

Maximum individual file size:  47.9 Tb 

Space allowed per individual user: No overall limit (costs incurred)

Space allowed per group: No overall limit (costs incurred)

No practical limit to number of files.

More Info

Allowed:

  • Public data
  • Sensitive / moderate risk data

Allowed with special configuration:

  • Confidential or restricted / high risk data
  • FERPA-protected data
  • HIPAA-regulated data 

Not allowed:

  • Export-controlled information

 

High Technical Complexity: Setup and configuration typically requires central IT support.
Usage requires AWS account and familiarity with the AWS Management Console, command line interface or AWS API.