Amazon wouldn't let me, so I built my own 20TB Snowball [video]
The creator built a custom 20TB data transfer device inspired by Amazon's Snowball, after being unable to use the official service. The project showcases a DIY rugged storage solution for moving large amounts of data without relying on cloud uploads.
Background
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a service called Snowball: a rugged, briefcase-sized physical device that customers can load with up to 80 TB of data and ship back to Amazon for cloud upload. It's designed for massive data migration when internet transfers would be too slow or expensive.
- The YouTuber (known for hardware hacking and "build your own" tech projects) initially tried to get a real Snowball from AWS but was denied — likely because AWS restricts Snowball access to enterprise customers with a billing account, not casual individuals.
- He reverse-engineered the concept and built a DIY version with 20 TB of storage using off-the-shelf parts (hard drives, a mini PC, a custom enclosure), essentially creating his own portable data transfer appliance for a fraction of AWS's cost.
- The project highlights a recurring tension in Big Tech: companies create specialized hardware/software for enterprise use, locking out hobbyists and small users, who then improvise their own alternatives — often with impressive, shareable results.