Use a Storage Gateway volume gateway in cache mode with AWS Backup for iSCSI block storage

SAP-C02 By islever Editorial Last updated

Determine the optimal migration approach for existing workloads. Determine a new architecture for existing workloads. Design reliable and resilient architectures.

Short answer

C Provision a Storage Gateway volume gateway in cache mode and back up its volumes with AWS Backup.

Question

A global ecommerce company has many data centers around the world. With the growth of its stored data, the company needs to set up a solution to provide scalable storage for legacy on-premises file applications. The company must be able to take point-in-time copies of volumes by using AWS Backup and must retain low-latency access to frequently accessed data. The company also needs to have storage volumes that can be mounted as Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) devices from the company’s on-premises application servers. Which solution will meet these requirements?
  1. Provision an AWS Storage Gateway tape gateway. Configure the tape gateway to store data in an Amazon S3 bucket. Deploy AWS Backup to take point-in-time copies of the volumes.
  2. Provision an Amazon FSx File Gateway and an Amazon S3 File Gateway. Deploy AWS Backup to take point-in-time copies of the data.
  3. Provision an AWS Storage Gateway volume gateway in cache mode. Back up the on-premises Storage Gateway volumes with AWS Backup. Correct Answer
  4. Provision an AWS Storage Gateway file gateway in cache mode. Deploy AWS Backup to take point-in-time copies of the volumes.

Key Takeaways

A volume gateway in cache mode presents an iSCSI block volume backed by S3 while caching frequently accessed data locally, so it delivers low-latency reads to the on-premises servers, and its volumes are first-class resources that AWS Backup can protect with point-in-time recovery.

A global ecommerce company needs scalable storage for legacy on-premises file applications, must be able to take point-in-time copies of the volumes with AWS Backup, must retain low-latency access to frequently accessed data, and needs volumes mountable as iSCSI devices from its on-premises application servers.

Common mistake: Choosing a file gateway or a tape gateway. A file gateway exposes an NFS or SMB share rather than an iSCSI block device, so legacy applications expecting iSCSI mounts cannot use it, and a tape gateway is for archival workloads with tape cartridges rather than for active low-latency volumes.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

The requirement for volumes that mount as iSCSI devices immediately identifies a Storage Gateway volume gateway, since that gateway type presents block storage over iSCSI to on-premises servers. Configuring it in cache mode means the most frequently accessed data is stored in the local cache for low-latency access while the full volume is durently backed in S3, so storage scales without provisioning on-premises capacity. AWS Backup supports Storage Gateway volumes, so point-in-time copies can be taken on a schedule, which satisfies the point-in-time copy requirement. Together the iSCSI interface, the local cache for latency, and Backup integration cover all three stated needs in one gateway type.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

A: A tape gateway writes to tape cartridges and its purpose is archival, so it does not present iSCSI volumes to on-premises application servers and it cannot provide the low-latency active access the requirement describes. B: An FSx File Gateway and an S3 File Gateway both expose file shares over NFS or SMB rather than iSCSI block devices, and AWS Backup does not provide the point-in-time volume copies described for that combination, so the mounting requirement is not met. D: A file gateway in cache mode still exposes a file share rather than an iSCSI block volume, so the legacy applications that need iSCSI devices cannot mount it, which is the defining requirement of the question.

Community Comment Notes

The community voted 100 to 0 for C, and the top-voted comment stated that C is the comprehensive answer covering scalable storage, low-latency access, point-in-time backups, and iSCSI device support. Another commenter explained why the FSx File Gateway option is unnecessary, since the volumes themselves can be backed up and restored through AWS Backup with a volume gateway, and a commenter linked the Storage Gateway volume documentation.

Official Reference

https://docs.aws.amazon.com/storagegateway/latest/vgw/WhatIsStorageGateway.html

This link opens the official vendor documentation in a new tab.

Community Votes

C
100%

100% of anonymous learners picked answer C. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 8 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 8

  1. ebbff63 👍 8 Answered C
    Answer C - a comprehensive solution for all the requirements for scalable storage, low-latency access, point-in-time backups, and iSCSI device support
  2. mifune 👍 3 Answered C
    iSCSI ---> AWS Storage Gateway volume gateway
  3. AzureDP900 👍 2
    C correct because Amazon FSx File Gateway is not required for this scenario, as the storage volumes can be backed up and restored using AWS Storage Gateway. The "cache" mode of the Storage Gateway volume gateway does provide low-latency access to frequently accessed data, meeting one of the company's requirements. The Storage Gateway file gateway can be used to mount storage volumes as iSCSI devices from on-premises application servers, meeting another requirement. AWS Backup is a widely supported backup solution that can take point-in-time copies of data, meeting the company's requirement for backup and recovery.
  4. zapper1234 👍 2
    B because you need iSCSI interface
  5. paderni 👍 1
    B with Amazon FSx File Gateway and S3 File Gateway, along with AWS Backup for data protection, best aligns with the company's requirements for scalable storage, low-latency access, point-in-time backups, and integration with on-premises applications.
Show 3 more comments
  1. AzureDP900 👍 1 Answered C
    C meets security and compliance requirements by storing sensitive data within the company's own storage infrastructure (on-premises) while still leveraging the scalability, durability, and flexibility of the cloud.
  2. backbencher2022 👍 1 Answered C
    C is correct - https://docs.aws.amazon.com/storagegateway/latest/vgw/WhatIsStorageGateway.html
  3. AhmedSalem 👍 1 Answered C
    Answer C

Reader comments & corrections

No reader corrections yet — spotted an error or have a note? Share it below.

Log in to comment, report an error, or add a note about this question.

Submitted for moderation before publishing. Keep it helpful and respectful.

Modernize centralized firewall appliances with a Gateway Load Balancer and Auto Scaling

S-grade

Use Lambda over a CloudWatch Logs stream to count unique users per client

S-grade

Serve global game assets with Route 53 latency records and health checks

S-grade

Reach a cross-account S3 data lake through a gateway endpoint and an access point bucket policy

S-grade

Practice All SAP-C02 Questions

Access 85 questions with complete answers and detailed explanations.

View Full SAP-C02 Practice Test →

← Back to SAP-C02 Study Guide