AWS has announced a significant enhancement to its Outposts offering with the introduction of third-party block storage integration, launched on December 1, 2024.
This update enables organizations to directly attach external block storage devices from leading vendors, further enhancing hybrid cloud flexibility and data center operations.
External Storage Support for Outposts
The new feature allows customers to seamlessly integrate third-party block storage into their Outposts environment. Supported by iSCSI and NVMe protocols, these storage devices can now connect directly to EC2 instances running on Outposts, providing a flexible and powerful solution for hybrid workloads.
Features
Direct Data Center Integration: Attach external storage devices directly to Outposts to manage data with advanced capabilities while keeping it within your on-premises environment.
Simplified Management: External block storage can now be managed directly through the AWS Management Console, enabling a streamlined operational workflow.
Enhanced Security: Supports in-situ data retention with robust security, ensuring compliance with on-premises data governance policies.
VMware Migration Support: Simplifies VMware workload migrations, helping organizations transition to the cloud or manage hybrid environments with ease.
Hardware Compatibility: Available for all Outpost configurations, including 42U rack and 2U server form factors, making it suitable for diverse deployment sizes.
Benefits of this Update
The integration of third-party block storage with AWS Outposts provides several strategic advantages:
- Cost Efficiency: Leverage existing on-premises storage investments without compromising access to AWS services.
- Flexibility: Tailor storage solutions to meet specific workload needs with support for multiple protocols and hardware options.
- Data Center Synergy: Enhance hybrid cloud performance with deeper integration between on-premises infrastructure and AWS.
Conclusion
This milestone feature elevates AWS Outposts’ capabilities, offering businesses more control over their hybrid cloud storage strategies. By enabling third-party block storage integration, AWS continues to empower organizations to innovate while maintaining the reliability and security of their on-premises environments.
