Replacing a node in a cluster - AWS Snowball Edge Developer Guide

Effective November 7, 2025, AWS Snowball Edge will only be available to existing customers. If you would like to use AWS Snowball Edge, sign up prior to that date. New customers should explore AWS DataSync for online transfers, AWS Data Transfer Terminal for secure physical transfers, or AWS Partner solutions. For edge computing, explore AWS Outposts.

Replacing a node in a cluster

To replace a node, you first need to order a replacement. You can order a replacement node from the console, the AWS CLI, or one of the AWS SDKs. If you're ordering a replacement node from the console, you can order replacements for any job that hasn't been canceled or completed. Then, you diassociate the unhealthy node from the cluster, connect the replacement node to your network and unlock the cluster including the replacement node, associate the replacement node with the cluster, and restart the Amazon S3 compatible storage on Snowball Edge service.

To order a replacement node from the console

  1. Sign in to the AWS Snow Family Management Console.

  2. Find and choose a job for a node that belongs to the cluster that you created from the Job dashboard.

  3. For Actions, choose Replace node.

    Doing this opens the final step of the job creation wizard, with all settings identical to how the cluster was originally created.

  4. Choose Create job.

Your replacement Snowball Edge is now on its way to you. Use the following procedure to remove the unhealthy node from the cluster.

To remove a node from a cluster

  1. Power off the node to be removed. For more information, see Powering off the Snowball Edge.

  2. Use the describe-cluster command to ensure the unhealthy node unreachable. This is indicated by the value of UNREACHABLE for the State name of the NetworkReachability object.

    
snowballEdge describe-cluster --manifest-file path/to/manifest/file.bin --unlock-code unlock-code --endpoint https://ip-address-of-device-in-cluster
    Example of describe-cluster output
    
{
    "ClusterId": "CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
    "Devices": [
        {
            "DeviceId": "JID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
            "UnlockStatus": {
                "State": "UNLOCKED"
            },
            "ActiveNetworkInterface": {
                "IpAddress": "10.0.0.0"
            },
            "ClusterAssociation": {
                "ClusterId": "CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
                "State": "ASSOCIATED"
            },
            "NetworkReachability": {
                "State": "REACHABLE"
            },
            "Tags": []
        },
        {
            "DeviceId": "JID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789013",
            "UnlockStatus": {
                "State": "UNLOCKED"
            },
            "ActiveNetworkInterface": {
                "IpAddress": "10.0.0.1"
            },
            "ClusterAssociation": {
                "ClusterId": "CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
                "State": "ASSOCIATED"
            },
            "NetworkReachability": {
                "State": "REACHABLE"
            },
            "Tags": []
        },
        {
            "DeviceId": "JID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789014",
            "ClusterAssociation": {
                "ClusterId": "CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
                "State": "ASSOCIATED"
            },
            "NetworkReachability": {
                "State": "UNREACHABLE"
            }
        }
    ]
}

  3. Use the describe-service command to ensure the status of the s3-snow service is DEGRADED.

    
snowballEdge describe-service --service-id s3-snow --device-ip-addresses snow-device-1-address snow-device-2-address --manifest-file path/to/manifest/file.bin --unlock-code unlock-code --endpoint https://snow-device-ip-address
    Example of output of describe-service command
    
{
    "ServiceId": "s3-snow",
    "Autostart": true,
    "Status": {
        "State": "DEGRADED"
    },
    "ServiceCapacities": [
        {
            "Name": "S3 Storage",
            "Unit": "Byte",
            "Used": 38768180432,
            "Available": 82961231819568
        }
    ],
    "Endpoints": [
        {
            "Protocol": "https",
            "Port": 443,
            "Host": "10.0.0.10",
            "CertificateAssociation": {
                "CertificateArn": "arn:aws:snowball-device:::certificate/7Rg2lP9tQaHnW4sC6xUzF1vGyD3jB5kN8MwEiYpT"
            },
            "Description" : "s3-snow bucket API endpoint (for s3control SDK)",
            "DeviceId": "JID-beta-207012320001-24-02-05-17-17-26",
            "Status": {
                "State": "ACTIVE"
            }
        },
        {
            "Protocol": "https",
            "Port": 443,
            "Host": "10.0.0.11",
            "CertificateAssociation": {
                "CertificateArn": "arn:aws:snowball-device:::certificate/7Rg2lP9tQaHnW4sC6xUzF1vGyD3jB5kN8MwEiYpT"
            },
            "Description": "Description" : "s3-snow object & bucket API endpoint (for s3api SDK)",
            "DeviceId": "JID-beta-207012320001-24-02-05-17-17-26",
            "Status": {
                "State": "ACTIVE"
            }
        },
        {
            "Protocol": "https",
            "Port": 443,
            "Host": "10.0.0.12",
            "CertificateAssociation": {
                "CertificateArn": "arn:aws:snowball-device:::certificate/7Rg2lP9tQaHnW4sC6xUzF1vGyD3jB5kN8MwEiYpT"
            },
            "Description": "Description" : "s3-snow bucket API endpoint (for s3control SDK)",
            "DeviceId": "JID-beta-207012240003-24-02-05-17-17-27",
            "Status": {
                "State": "ACTIVE"
            }
        },
        {
            "Protocol": "https",
            "Port": 443,
            "Host": "10.0.0.13",
            "CertificateAssociation": {
                "CertificateArn": "arn:aws:snowball-device:::certificate/7Rg2lP9tQaHnW4sC6xUzF1vGyD3jB5kN8MwEiYpT"
            },
            "Description": "Description" : "s3-snow object & bucket API endpoint (for s3api SDK)",
            "DeviceId": "JID-beta-207012320001-24-02-05-17-17-27",
            "Status": {
                "State": "ACTIVE"
            }
        }
    ]
}

  4. Use the disassociate-device command to disassociate and remove the unhealthy node from the cluster.

    
snowballEdge disassociate-device --device-id device-id --manifest-file path/to/manifest/file.bin --unlock-code unlock-code --endpoint https://ip-address-of-unhealthy-device
    Example output of disassociate-device command
    
Disassociating your Snowball Edge device from the cluster. Your Snowball Edge device will be disassociated from the cluster when it is in the "DISASSOCIATED" state. You can use the describe-cluster command to determine the state of your cluster.

  5. Use the describe-cluster command again to ensure the unhealthy node is disassociated from the cluster.

    
snowballEdge describe-cluster --manifest-file path/to/manifest/file.bin --unlock-code unlock-code --endpoint https:ip-address-of-healthy-device
    Example of describe-cluster command showing node is disassociated
    
{
    "ClusterId": "CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
    "Devices": [
        {
            "DeviceId": "JID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
            "UnlockStatus": {
                "State": "UNLOCKED"
            },
            "ActiveNetworkInterface": {
                "IpAddress": "10.0.0.0"
            },
            "ClusterAssociation": {
                "ClusterId": "CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
                "State": "ASSOCIATED"
            },
            "NetworkReachability": {
                "State": "REACHABLE"
            },
            "Tags": []
        },
        {
            "DeviceId": "JID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789013",
            "UnlockStatus": {
                "State": "UNLOCKED"
            },
            "ActiveNetworkInterface": {
                "IpAddress": "10.0.0.1"
            },
            "ClusterAssociation": {
                "ClusterId": "CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
                "State": "ASSOCIATED"
            },
            "NetworkReachability": {
                "State": "REACHABLE"
            },
            "Tags": []
        },
        {
            "DeviceId": "JID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789014",
            "ClusterAssociation": {
                "ClusterId": "CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
                "State": "DISASSOCIATED"
            }
        }
    ]
}

  6. Power off and return the unhealthy device to AWS. For more information, see Powering off the Snowball Edge and Returning the Snowball Edge Device.

When the replacement device arrives, use the following procedure to add it to the cluster.

To add a replacement device

  1. Position the replacement device for the cluster such that you have access to the front, back, and top of all devices.

  2. Power up the node and ensure that the node is connected to the same internal network as the rest of the cluster. For more information, see Connecting to Your Local Network.

  3. Use the unlock-cluster command and include the IP address of the new node.

    
snowballEdge unlock-cluster --manifest-file path/to/manifest/file.bin --unlock-code unlock-code --endpoint https://ip-address-of-cluster-device --device-ip-addresses node-1-ip-address node-2-ip-address new-node-ip-address

    The state of the new node will be DEGRADED until you associate it with the cluster in the next step.

  4. Use the associate-device command to associate the replacement node with the cluster.

    
snowballEdge associate-device --device-ip-address new-node-ip-address
    Example of associate-device command output
    
Associating your Snowball Edge device with the cluster. Your Snowball Edge device will be associated with the cluster when it is in the ASSOCIATED state. You can use the describe-device command to determine the state of your devices.

  5. Use the describe-cluster command to ensure the new node is associated with the cluster.

    
snowballEdge describe-cluster --manifest-file path/to/manifest/file.bin --unlock-code unlock-code --endpoint https://node-ip-address
    Example of describe-cluster command output
    
{
    "ClusterId": "CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
    "Devices": [
        {
            "DeviceId": "JID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
            "UnlockStatus": {
                "State": "UNLOCKED"
            },
            "ActiveNetworkInterface": {
                "IpAddress": "10.0.0.0"
            },
            "ClusterAssociation": {
                "ClusterId": "CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
                "State": "ASSOCIATED"
            },
            "NetworkReachability": {
                "State": "REACHABLE"
            },
            "Tags": []
        },
        {
            "DeviceId": "JID-CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789013",
            "UnlockStatus": {
                "State": "UNLOCKED"
            },
            "ActiveNetworkInterface": {
                "IpAddress": "10.0.0.1"
            },
            "ClusterAssociation": {
                "ClusterId": "CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
                "State": "ASSOCIATED"
            },
            "NetworkReachability": {
                "State": "REACHABLE"
            },
            "Tags": []
        },
        {
            "DeviceId": "JID-CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789015",
            "UnlockStatus": {
                "State": "UNLOCKED"
            },
            "ActiveNetworkInterface": {
                "IpAddress": "10.0.0.2"
            },
            "ClusterAssociation": {
                "ClusterId": "CID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
                "State": "ASSOCIATED"
            },
            "NetworkReachability": {
                "State": "REACHABLE"
            },
            "Tags": []
        }
    }
]
}

  6. On the new node, create two virtual network interfaces (VNIs). For more information, see Starting the Amazon S3 compatible storage on Snowball Edge service

  7. Use the stop-service command to stop the s3-snow service.

    
snowballEdge stop-service --service-id s3-snow --device-ip-addresses cluster-device-1-ip-address cluster-device-2-ip-address cluster-device-3-ip-address --manifest-file path/to/manifest/file.bin --unlock-code unlock-code --endpoint https://snow-device-ip-address
    Example of stop-service command output
    
Stopping the AWS service on your Snowball Edge. You can determine the status of the AWS service using the describe-service command.

  8. Use the start-service command to start the s3-snow service after adding the new node to the cluster.

    
snowballEdge start-service --service-id s3-snow --device-ip-addresses cluster-device-1-ip-address cluster-device-2-ip-address cluster-device-3-ip-address --virtual-network-interface-arns "device-1-vni-ip-address-a" "device-1-vni-ip-address-b" "device-2-vni-ip-address-a" "device-2-vni-ip-address-b" "device-3-vni-ip-address-a" "device-3-vni-ip-address-b" --manifest-file path/to/manifest/file.bin --unlock-code unlock-code --endpoint https://snow-device-ip-address
    Example of start-service command output
    
Starting the AWS service on your Snowball Edge. You can determine the status of the AWS service using the describe-service command.

  9. Use the describe-service command to ensure the s3-snow service started.

    
snowballEdge describe-service --service-id s3-snow --device-ip-addresses snow-device-1-address snow-device-2-address snow-device-3-address --manifest-file path/to/manifest/file.bin --unlock-code unlock-code --endpoint https://snow-device-ip-address
    Example of descibe-service command output
    
{
    "ServiceId": "s3-snow",
    "Autostart": true,
    "Status": {
        "State": "ACTIVE"
    },
    "ServiceCapacities": [{
        "Name": "S3 Storage",
        "Unit": "Byte",
        "Used": 38768180432,
        "Available": 82961231819568
    }],
    "Endpoints": [{
            "Protocol": "https",
            "Port": 443,
            "Host": "10.0.0.10",
            "CertificateAssociation": {
                "CertificateArn": "arn:aws:snowball-device:::certificate/7Rg2lP9tQaHnW4sC6xUzF1vGyD3jB5kN8MwEiYpT"
            },
            "Description": "s3-snow bucket API endpoint (for s3control SDK)",
            "DeviceId": "JID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789012",
            "Status": {
                "State": "ACTIVE"
            }
        }, {
            "Protocol": "https",
            "Port": 443,
            "Host": "10.0.0.11",
            "CertificateAssociation": {
                "CertificateArn": "arn:aws:snowball-device:::certificate/7Rg2lP9tQaHnW4sC6xUzF1vGyD3jB5kN8MwEiYpT"
            },
            "Description": "s3-snow object & bucket API endpoint (for s3api SDK)",
            "DeviceId": "JID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789013",
            "Status": {
                "State": "ACTIVE"
            }
        }, {
            "Protocol": "https",
            "Port": 443,
            "Host": "10.0.0.12",
            "CertificateAssociation": {
                "CertificateArn": "arn:aws:snowball-device:::certificate/7Rg2lP9tQaHnW4sC6xUzF1vGyD3jB5kN8MwEiYpT"
            },
            "Description": "s3-snow bucket API endpoint (for s3control SDK)",
            "DeviceId": "JID12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789015",
            "Status": {
                "State": "ACTIVE"
            }
        }, {
            "Protocol": "https",
            "Port": 443,
            "Host": "10.0.0.13",
            "CertificateAssociation": {
                "CertificateArn": "arn:aws:snowball-device:::certificate/7Rg2lP9tQaHnW4sC6xUzF1vGyD3jB5kN8MwEiYpT"
            },
            "Description": "s3-snow object & bucket API endpoint (for s3api SDK)",
            "DeviceId": "JID-beta-207012320001-24-02-05-17-17-27",
            "Status": {
                "State": "ACTIVE"
            }
        }, {
            "Protocol": "https",
            "Port": 443,
            "Host": "10.0.0.14",
            "CertificateAssociation": {
                "CertificateArn": "arn:aws:snowball-device:::certificate/7Rg2lP9tQaHnW4sC6xUzF1vGyD3jB5kN8MwEiYpT"
            },
            "Description": "s3-snow bucket API endpoint (for s3control SDK)",
            "DeviceId": "JID-beta-207012240003-24-02-05-17-17-28",
            "Status": {
                "State": "ACTIVE"
            }
        }, {
            "Protocol": "https",
            "Port": 443,
            "Host": "10.0.0.15",
            "CertificateAssociation": {
                "CertificateArn": "arn:aws:snowball-device:::certificate/7Rg2lP9tQaHnW4sC6xUzF1vGyD3jB5kN8MwEiYpT"
            },
            "Description": "s3-snow object & bucket API endpoint (for s3api SDK),
            "DeviceId": "JID-beta-207012320001-24-02-05-17-17-28",
            "Status": {
                "State": "ACTIVE"
            }
        }
    }]
}