AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice Test

What storage class offers the lowest cost for infrequently accessed data in S3?

1. S3 Standard

2. Glacier

3. S3 Infrequent Access

4. S3 One Zone-IA

The correct answer is: S3 Infrequent Access

The S3 Infrequent Access storage class is specifically designed for data that is not accessed frequently but still requires rapid access when needed. It offers a lower cost compared to the S3 Standard storage class, making it cost-effective for storing infrequently accessed data. This storage class charges a lower fee for storage but has higher retrieval costs, which aligns well for use cases where data is not required on a daily basis or where the access pattern is unpredictable. In addition to its cost model, S3 Infrequent Access maintains high durability and availability characteristics, making it suitable for applications where data access is limited but needs to remain readily available. Using this storage class can lead to significant savings for storing data that does not require the high performance and access rates of frequently accessed data, which justifies its position as the best choice among the options presented. Other options may provide varying levels of accessibility or cost competitiveness, but they do not specifically target the need for infrequent access in the same cost-efficient manner as the S3 Infrequent Access class.