What is AWS Snowball primarily used for?

AWS Snowball is primarily used for transferring large amounts of data into and out of AWS. This service is designed to help organizations efficiently transport terabytes or petabytes of data, particularly when it's impractical to transfer such extensive datasets over the internet due to bandwidth limitations or costs. Snowball is a physical device that securely transports data via a highly durable and tamper-resistant shipping case, making the entire process more secure and efficient.

In scenarios where large-scale data migrations to the cloud are needed, such as data center migrations, backups, or when setting up large data lakes, AWS Snowball effectively addresses the challenges of data transfer. It also enhances security through built-in encryption, ensuring that data is protected during transit.

The other options do not align with Snowball’s core functionality. For example, while storing large datasets in the cloud is a fundamental aspect of AWS, it is not what Snowball is specifically designed for. Similarly, managing AWS IAM roles is related to access and identity management, not data transfer. Creating virtual machines in AWS is a function of other services, such as Amazon EC2. Each of these functions has its dedicated services within the AWS ecosystem, distinct from the primary role of AWS Snowball.