At its re:Invent 2024 conference in Las Vegas, Amazon unveiled a unique new service for AWS customers: the Data Transfer Terminal. These physical locations allow customers to upload large volumes of data directly to the AWS cloud by connecting their storage devices to high-speed ports.
Here’s how it works: AWS users can reserve a time slot through the AWS management console, with the option to assign internal specialists to assist with the process. Upon arrival at a Data Transfer Terminal, customers will confirm access with the building reception and be escorted to a secure room to upload their data. Notably, AWS keeps the location discreet for security reasons, meaning the rooms will not be marked with AWS branding.
The first Data Transfer Terminal locations have opened in New York City and Los Angeles, with plans for more to follow. Each terminal is equipped with a patch panel, fiber optic cable, and a PC to monitor the data transfer. Amazon claims the terminals offer exceptionally fast upload speeds of up to 400 Gbps, ensuring a high-throughput, secure connection for large-scale data uploads.
However, there’s a cost to using these services. AWS charges “per port hour” for access to the terminals, even if data isn’t being actively transferred. For U.S.-to-U.S. data transfers, the cost is $300 per port hour, while U.S.-to-EU transfers are priced at $500 per port hour. Rates for other global destinations are not currently listed.
This new offering is aimed at organizations needing to move substantial amounts of data quickly and securely, especially for those with large data sets that may be impractical to upload over standard internet connections.
