AWS Transfer Family is a fully managed service that provides secure file transfer over SFTP, FTPS, and FTP into and out of AWS Amazon S3 or Amazon EFS. It allows businesses to migrate, automate, and scale their file transfer workloads without needing to maintain dedicated file transfer infrastructure.
Key Features of AWS Transfer Family
- Supports Standard Protocols
- SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)
- FTPS (FTP Secure, over TLS)
- FTP (File Transfer Protocol, not encrypted)
- AS2 (Applicability Statement 2, for B2B file exchanges)
- Seamless Integration with AWS Services
- Store files in Amazon S3 or Amazon EFS
- Leverage AWS IAM roles for access control
- Use AWS Lambda for processing and automation
- High Availability & Scalability
- Fully managed with automatic scaling
- No need to manage file transfer servers
- Security & Compliance
- Supports IAM authentication, Active Directory, and Custom Identity Providers
- Integrated with AWS CloudTrail for logging and monitoring
- Complies with PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR standards
- Flexible Authentication
- Use IAM roles
- Integrate with Active Directory, LDAP, or custom identity providers
Use Cases
- Enterprise File Transfer (between business partners, vendors, or internal teams)
- Secure Data Exchange (financial, healthcare, or government data)
- Automated Workflows (trigger processing with AWS Lambda after file upload)
- Lift-and-Shift Migrations (replace on-premises SFTP/FTPS/FTP servers with AWS)
Pricing
AWS Transfer Family pricing is pay-as-you-go, based on:
- Number of connected users
- Amount of data transferred
The AWS Transfer Family offers managed SFTP, FTPS, and FTP services to securely transfer files to and from Amazon S3 or Amazon EFS. You can configure endpoints to control how your clients interact with these services. There are two primary types of endpoints in AWS Transfer Family:
- Public Endpoint
- VPC Endpoint
1. Public Endpoint
- Default Endpoint: By default, AWS Transfer Family creates a public endpoint that is accessible over the internet. This allows clients to connect to the service from anywhere, without the need to set up a VPN or direct connection.
- DNS Name: The endpoint will have a DNS name like: php-templateCopy code
<server-id>.server.transfer.<region>.amazonaws.comClients use this DNS name to connect via SFTP, FTP, or FTPS. - Use Case: Ideal for scenarios where you want to allow internet-facing access to your transfer server, such as public file sharing or integrating with third-party services.
2. VPC Endpoint
- Private Network Access: If you want to keep your file transfers within your private network, you can configure a VPC endpoint. This setup restricts access to your AWS Transfer Family service to only within your VPC, ensuring that data transfers never traverse the public internet.
- Security: Using a VPC endpoint enhances security by allowing you to control access via security groups and VPC ACLs. You can set up the endpoint within your own Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and route traffic over a private network.
- DNS Name: The VPC endpoint will have a different DNS name: php-templateCopy code
<server-id>.server.transfer.<region>.vpce.amazonaws.comClients must be within your VPC or have network access to it in order to connect via this endpoint. - Use Case: This is suitable for enterprises that require private, secure communication for file transfers, such as in regulated environments where data cannot leave the private network.
Comparison Table: Public Endpoint vs. VPC Endpoint
| Feature | Public Endpoint | VPC Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Network Access | Accessible from anywhere over the internet | Accessible only within the VPC or through VPC peering |
| Security | Lower security (exposed to the internet) | Higher security (private, restricted access) |
| Connection Type | Internet-based access (DNS: <server-id>.server.transfer.<region>.amazonaws.com) | Private network-based access (DNS: <server-id>.server.transfer.<region>.vpce.amazonaws.com) |
| Use Case | Public file sharing or access from anywhere | Secure, private transfers within a VPC (e.g., private data transfers) |
| Cost | Standard internet data transfer charges | Potential additional cost for VPC traffic and endpoints |