Amazon S3 Bucket Migration Using Amazon S3 Batch Operations

Overview

Data migration is a common requirement when restructuring AWS environments, consolidating accounts, or applying new compliance rules. While small-scale migrations can be handled manually, moving millions of objects efficiently demands a scalable, automated solution. This is where Amazon S3 Batch Operations proves invaluable by enabling bulk object migration with minimal manual effort. In this blog, we’ll explore how to migrate data between Amazon S3 buckets using Amazon S3 Batch Operations.

Introduction

Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) is one of the most widely used cloud storage services for storing and managing data at scale. Businesses must often migrate Amazon S3 objects due to cost optimization, region-based performance, account restructuring, or compliance mandates.

Traditional methods, such as the AWS CLI or SDKs, can work for small datasets, but they are not efficient or reliable for migrations involving millions of objects. Amazon S3 Batch Operations simplifies this challenge by letting you perform large-scale copy operations, monitor progress, and get detailed reports, all in a managed and automated way.

Key Components of AWS DRS

1. Manifest File

A manifest is a CSV or Amazon S3 Inventory file listing the objects you want to migrate. It tells AWS which files to include in the batch job.

2. AWS IAM Role

An AWS IAM role with s3:GetObject permissions on the source bucket and s3:PutObject permissions on the destination bucket is required. It allows Amazon S3 Batch Operations to access and copy your data securely.

3. Operation Type – Copy

The most common action for migration is Copy, which moves objects from the source bucket to the destination bucket while preserving metadata, storage class, and encryption settings.

4. Reports

Batch jobs generate detailed success and failure reports stored in an Amazon S3 bucket, helping you verify and audit migration activities.

Implementation Steps

Step 1: Create a Manifest

• Generate a CSV file listing the objects you want to migrate.
• Example:

bucket-name,object-key

source-bucket,file1.txt

source-bucket,file2.jpg

Alternatively, Amazon S3 Inventory Reports can be used to generate the manifest automatically.

Step 2: Configure AWS IAM Role

• Create an AWS IAM role with required Amazon S3 permissions.
• Attach a trust policy allowing Amazon S3 Batch Operations to assume the role.

Step 3: Create a Batch Job

1. Navigate to the Amazon S3 Console → Batch Operations.
2. Select Create Job and upload your manifest.
3. Choose Copy as the operation.
4. Specify the destination bucket.
5. Assign the AWS IAM role created in Step 2.

Step 4: Monitor the Migration

• Confirm and run the batch job.
• Track progress in the Batch Operations dashboard.
• Review generated reports for job success or any failures.

Step 5: Validate Migration

• Verify that all objects are copied to the destination bucket.
• Check metadata (ACLs, tags, storage classes).
• Perform checksum or hash-based integrity checks for critical data.

Conclusion

Migrating large datasets between S3 buckets can be complex, but Amazon S3 Batch Operations makes the process efficient and reliable. Organizations can move millions of objects with a single job request by leveraging manifests, AWS IAM roles, and automated reporting. This approach reduces manual effort, ensures visibility, and guarantees secure, large-scale data transfers.

Whether you’re consolidating buckets, shifting workloads between accounts, or implementing new compliance strategies, Amazon S3 Batch Operations is the right tool for seamless Amazon S3 bucket migration.

Drop a query if you have any questions regarding Amazon S3 Batch Operations and we will get back to you quickly.

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