A company stores 500 TB in S3. Analysis shows 30% of objects accessed frequently, 40% accessed monthly, and 30% untouched for over 180 days. Which S3 feature automatically moves objects to cheaper storage classes based on access patterns?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
Intelligent-Tiering monitors each object's actual access pattern and moves it automatically between Frequent, Infrequent, and Archive Instant Access tiers (deeper tiers on opt-in), with no retrieval fees when objects are read again. That per-object automatic adaptation is exactly what mixed and shifting access odds need, with no transition rules to maintain.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Manual lifecycle rules key off age and prefix rather than observed usage, so with this mixed profile they inevitably misclassify objects and pay retrieval or higher-tier costs.
- C. Replication makes extra copies and does not change per-object storage classes; duplicating 500 TB raises spend rather than lowering it.
- D. Batch Operations performs bulk tasks on an explicit job basis, not continuously per-object; it cannot track and react to changing access patterns on its own.
Exam tip. Intelligent-Tiering auto-adjusts per object with no retrieval fees; it is the go-to tiering answer when access patterns are unknown or shifting.