Concepts for directory buckets in Local Zones

Before creating a directory bucket in a Local Zone, you must have the Local Zone ID where you want to create a bucket. You can find all Local Zone information by using the DescribeAvailabilityZones API operation. This API operation lists information about Local Zones, including their Local Zone IDs, parent Region names, network border groups, and opt-in status. After you have your Local Zone ID and you are opted in, you can create a directory bucket in the Local Zone. A directory bucket name consists of a base name that you provide and a suffix that contains the Zone ID of your bucket location, followed by --x-s3.

All directory buckets use the s3express namespace, which is separate from the s3 namespace for general purpose buckets. For directory buckets, requests are routed to either a Regional endpoint or a Zonal endpoint. The routing is handled automatically for you if you use the AWS Management Console, AWS CLI, or AWS SDKs.

To access directory buckets in Local Zones from your virtual private cloud (VPC), you can use gateway VPC endpoints. There is no additional charge for using gateway endpoints. To configure gateway VPC endpoints to access directory buckets and objects in Local Zones, see Private connectivity from your VPC.