Block storage (Disks)
What can I do with Lightsail block storage?
Lightsail block storage provides additional storage volumes (called "attached disks" in Lightsail) that you can attach to your Lightsail instance, similar to an individual hard drive. Attached disks are useful for applications or software that need to separate out specific data from their core service and to protect application data in case of a failure or other issue with your instance and system disk. Attached disks offers consistent performance and low latency needed for applications or software that frequently access their stored data.
Lightsail block storage disks use solid-state drives (SSD). This type of block storage balances a low price and good performance and is intended to support the vast majority of workloads that run on Lightsail. For customers with applications that require sustained IOPS performance, high amounts of throughput per disk, or that are running large databases like MongoDB, Cassandra, etc., we recommend using Amazon EC2 with GP2 or Provisioned IOPS SSD storage instead of Lightsail.
How are attached disks different than the storage included in my Lightsail plan?
The system disk included with your Lightsail plan is your instance's root device. If you terminate your instance, the system disk will be deleted as well. If you experience an instance failure, the system disk could be impacted. You also cannot detach your system disk or back it up separately from your instance. Data stored on an attached disk persists independently of the instance. Attached disks can be detached and moved between instances. They can be backed up independently from an instance by creating a manual snapshot of the disk. To protect your data, we recommend that you use your Lightsail instance's system disk only for temporary data. For data requiring a higher level of durability, we recommend using attached disks and regularly backing up your disk using disk or instance snapshots.
How large can I make my attached disk?
Each attached disk can be up to 16 TB, and the total amount of attached block storage in a Lightsail account must not exceed 20 TB.
How many disks can I attach per Lightsail instance?
You can attach up to 15 disks to a Lightsail instance.
Can I attach a disk to more than one instance?
No, disks can only be attached to one instance at a time.
Does my disk need to be attached to an instance?
No, you can choose not to attach a disk to an instance. The disk will remain in your account in an unattached state. There is no difference in price if your disk is not attached to an instance.
Can I increase the size of my attached disk?
Yes, you can increase the size of a disk by taking a disk snapshot and then creating a new, larger disk from that snapshot.
Does Lightsail block storage offer encryption?
Yes, to help keep your data secure, all Lightsail attached disks and disk snapshots are encrypted at rest by default, using keys that Lightsail manages on your behalf. Lightsail also provides encryption of data as it moves between Lightsail instances and attached disks.
What availability can I expect from Lightsail block storage?
Lightsail block storage is designed to be highly available and reliable. Each attached disk is automatically replicated within its Availability Zone to protect you from component failure. Lightsail block storage disks are designed for 99.99% availability. Lightsail also supports disk snapshots to allow regular backups of your data.
How do I back up my attached disk?
You can back up your disk by creating a manual snapshot of the disk. You can also back up your entire instance and any attached disks by creating a manual snapshot of the instance, or by enabling automatic snapshots for the instance with the disk attached. Disks attached to instances are included in instance manual and automatic snapshots.
