AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner / EC2 Instance Storage

EBS Snapshots Overview

AZ Restrictions

  • 📍 EBS volumes are bound to the AZ where they are created.

  • ❌ A volume created in one AZ cannot attach to an instance in another AZ.

  • 🔄 To move data across different AZs is not allowed thats where EBS snapshots comes in.

EBS Snapshots

  • 📸 Snapshots are backups of EBS volumes.

  • ⏰ Can be taken at any time and restore a volume even after the original is terminated.

  • 🌍 Can copy snapshots across AZs and AWS regions.

📸 Snapshot Management

🗄️ Snapshot Archive Tier

  • 💸 Move infrequently used snapshots to a lower-cost archive tier (up to 75% cheaper).

  • 📦 Best for long-term backup and compliance.

  • ⏳ Restoring an archived snapshot typically takes 24–72 hours.

🗑️ Snapshot Recycle Bin

  • 🛡️ Instead of being permanently deleted, snapshots are stored in a Recycle Bin for a configurable retention period.

  • 🔄 You can restore accidentally deleted snapshots before the retention period expires.

  • ✅ Provides an extra layer of protection against accidental deletion.