AWS S3 cp Command
Understanding the AWS S3 cp Command
AWS S3 (Simple Storage Service) is widely known for its scalability, data availability, security, and performance. One of the essential tools when working with S3 is the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI). The aws s3 cp command is a powerful utility for copying files to and from S3 buckets.
Installing AWS CLI
Before using aws s3 cp, you need the AWS CLI installed on your machine. The process is straightforward. Visit the AWS CLI official website and download the installation package suitable for your operating system. Follow the installation instructions provided on the site.
Configuring AWS CLI
After installation, configure the AWS CLI with your credentials. Run:
aws configureYou’ll be prompted for your AWS Access Key ID, Secret Access Key, Default Region Name, and Default Output Format. Ensure you have these credentials ready.
Basic Syntax of aws s3 cp
The aws s3 cp command has a basic syntax:
aws s3 cp [source] [destination] [options]The source is where you’re copying from, and the destination is where you’re copying to. Different options modify the behavior of the command.
Copying a Single File to S3
To copy a single file to an S3 bucket, use the following syntax:
aws s3 cp file.txt s3://my-bucket/
Here, file.txt is the file on your local system, and s3://my-bucket/ is the destination bucket in S3.
Copying a File from S3
Copying a file from an S3 bucket to your local system is just as easy:
aws s3 cp s3://my-bucket/file.txt ./file.txt
This command copies file.txt from the S3 bucket my-bucket to your current local directory.
Copying Files Recursively
Using the --recursive option, you can copy all files within a directory to an S3 bucket. For example:
aws s3 cp my-directory s3://my-bucket/ --recursive
This command copies the entire contents of my-directory to the my-bucket.
Preserving Metadata
Sometimes, you might want to preserve the metadata of the copied files. Use the --metadata flag to specify metadata in the form of key-value pairs:
aws s3 cp file.txt s3://my-bucket/ --metadata key1=value1,key2=value2
This command adds custom metadata to file.txt in the S3 bucket.
Setting ACLs
You can also set Access Control Lists (ACLs) during file copy operations. The --acl option allows you to specify different permissions. For instance:
aws s3 cp file.txt s3://my-bucket/ --acl public-readThis command sets the file accessibility to public-read.
Using Storage Classes
S3 offers various storage classes, and you can specify the desired storage class during the copy operation using the --storage-class option. For example:
aws s3 cp file.txt s3://my-bucket/ --storage-class STANDARD_IA
This command copies file.txt to the STANDARD_IA (Infrequent Access) storage class.
Dry Run Option
If unsure of the results of a command, use --dryrun to preview without actual execution:
aws s3 cp my-directory s3://my-bucket/ --recursive --dryrunThis command simulates copying files without making any changes.
Including and Excluding Files
To be more specific about the files you want to include or exclude, use the --include and --exclude options. For example:
aws s3 cp my-directory s3://my-bucket/ --recursive --exclude *.tmp --include *.txtThis command copies all text files to the bucket, excluding temporary files.
Multipart Upload for Large Files
For substantial file sizes, AWS S3 automatically handles multipart uploads. This feature is especially useful for large files:
aws s3 cp largefile.iso s3://my-bucket/ --storage-class ONEZONE_IAThis command uploads in multiple parts, ensuring efficient transfer.
Transferring Data Between Buckets
You can also copy files directly between buckets:
aws s3 cp s3://source-bucket/file.txt s3://destination-bucket/file.txtThis is handy when migrating data between environments.
Managing Versioned Buckets
When working with versioned buckets, specify the version ID during copy operations:
aws s3 cp s3://my-bucket/file.txt s3://my-other-bucket/ --version-id MY_VERSION_IDThis command copies a specific version of the file.
Using Regular Expressions
Regex can refine include and exclude patterns:
aws s3 cp my-dir s3://my-bucket/ --recursive --exclude * --include log[0-9].txtThis command includes specific log files while excluding others.
Enabling Server-Side Encryption
Add server-side encryption using the --sse option:
aws s3 cp file.txt s3://my-bucket/ --sse AES256This ensures the file is encrypted server-side with AES256.
Setting Cache Control Headers
Customize cache control headers with the --cache-control option:
aws s3 cp file.txt s3://my-bucket/ --cache-control max-age=3600This command sets a 1-hour cache duration.
Using Custom User Agent
Set a custom user agent for the requests using the --user-agent flag:
aws s3 cp file.txt s3://my-bucket/ --user-agent my-appBeneficial for uniquely identifying requests.
Cross-Region Copies
Copy data between different AWS regions using the --source-region and --region flags:
aws s3 cp s3://source-bucket/file.txt s3://destination-bucket/file.txt --region destination-regionEnsures correct interaction across regions.
Advanced Progress and Debugging
For enhanced progress tracking, use the --progress flag:
aws s3 cp file.txt s3://my-bucket/ --progress
This provides detailed progress feedback during transfers. For debugging, use --debug:
aws s3 cp file.txt s3://my-bucket/ --debugDisplays detailed debugging information.
Overwriting and Preserving Files
Control overwriting of existing files using --no-clobber:
aws s3 cp file.txt s3://my-bucket/ --no-clobberPrevents existing files from being overwritten.
Error Handling and Retries
Configure retry behavior with the --max-concurrent-requests and --max-bandwidth options:
aws s3 cp my-directory s3://my-bucket/ --max-concurrent-requests 10 --max-bandwidth 50MBOptimizes performance and error recovery.
Conclusion
The aws s3 cp command is versatile and powerful, providing numerous options for handling file transfers to and from AWS S3. By mastering this command, you can streamline your workflow and effectively manage your cloud storage.