Starting your AWS DataSync task - AWS DataSync
Running multiple tasksStarting your task

Starting your AWS DataSync task

Once you create your AWS DataSync transfer task, you can start moving data. Each run of a task is called a task execution.

When you start your task, DataSync performs a recursive directory listing to discover all the files, objects, and associated metadata in the transfer's source and destination locations. DataSync identifies differences between the locations and determines what to copy, a process that usually takes between a few minutes and a few hours.

Important

If you're planning to transfer data to or from an Amazon S3 location, review how DataSync can affect your S3 request charges and the DataSync pricing page before you begin.

Running multiple tasks

There are scenarios where you may want to run multiple DataSync tasks. For example, you may be copying data on a recurring basis or migrating a lot of files incrementally (something you can do with task filtering).

Remember the following about running multiple tasks:

  • Tasks run in a series (first in, first out). If you run the same task more than once, by default each execution goes into a queue. If you start a task twice, for instance, the second task execution won't start until the first one finishes.

  • You can run separate tasks at the same time, but these tasks will be queued if they're using the same DataSync agent.

Starting your task

Once you've created your task, you can begin moving data right away.

  1. Open the AWS DataSync console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/datasync/.

  2. In the left navigation pane, expand Data transfer, then choose Tasks.

  3. Choose the task that you want to run.

    Make sure that the task has an Available status. You also can select multiple tasks.

  4. Choose Actions and then choose one of the following options:

    • Start – Runs the task (or tasks if you selected more than one).

    • Start with overriding options – Allows you to modify some of your task settings before you begin moving data. When you're ready, choose Start.

  5. Choose See execution details to view details about the running task execution.

You can start your task by using the StartTaskExecution operation. Use the DescribeTaskExecution operation to get details about the running task execution.

Once started, you can check the task execution's status as DataSync moves your data. You also can throttle the task execution's bandwidth if needed.