Dropbox -modern cloud storage or DxBox -Blockchain-based cloud storage solution?

[bobelr]

Dropbox

Recently, there has been change in the method of storage which has gained massive attraction due to its convenience and efficiency: users can access the data they stored in the cloud from anywhere and at any time with access to the internet. One prominent application used in this regard is "Dropbox". For the purpose of this blog, to establish the necessity of Blockchain technology in the storage sector.   

How it works

When users upload their data to the cloud, it will first arrive at the master control data server, which serves as the brain of the system. Data will then be transmitted to various data centers and multiple copies of data will be made in case one copy gets destroyed. Once the data is uploaded, the safety of them will be completely depended on the safety of the data centers. If data centers got damaged due to the natural disaster or human mistake, data may completely be erased. Google has once encountered this issue. In 2015, its data center located in Belgium was struck by lightning four times and caused permanent data loss.
Besides the concerns regarding data safety, centralization and lack of data encryption are other issues existed in modern cloud storage systems. Most cloud storage services only provide data encryption during transmission using SSL/TLS encryption mechanism, which is vulnerable to attack. In addition, due to centralization, the server administrators also have direct access to data stored on the server. Even though most companies have strict policies on protecting users’ privacy, as long as human beings are involved, there is a risk on the data breach.

This indicates there are "privacy and security issues associated with using centralized cloud storage.
If not checked, the essence of using cloud storage is jeopardized.


DxBox

DxBox is a demo application builds on top of DxChain Testnet v0.3.6. It serves as an interface which simplifies the process for users on file uploading and downloading. The application uses the client-provider model for data transferring, where the client is a node that uses DX Token, the DxChain cryptocurrency, for file storage, file uploading, and file downloading. Provider, on the other hand, is a node that provides storage services with disk space to get profits rewarded by the client. To become a provider, the node must make an announcement, which will be added to the blockchain. This is further explained in the article found

https://blog.dxchain.com/dxbox-blockchain-based-web-application-for-secure-data-storage/

Reading further from the above link, it explains plainly how Dxbox as a blockchain solution can be a complete solution to the inherent issues of Dropbox being a centralized form of storage service. Could cloud service be more better than this?

[bobelr]

Using Blockchain technology to store data is not the first time. It is much safer to store data in the blockchain. Then it is very likely that they will not disappear. And using the disk space of other users will only increase this probability. You don't have to worry about safety at all.

Absolutely right. I have almost same mindset as this. Knowing fully that Blockchain is secure in data handling makes it soothing to reckon with using the technology to solve cloud storage issue.

[vanya.pronin.1983]

Dropbox is an awesome tool, but if there is another way of storing data with help of blockchain technology, it brings the security on the whole new level. The only question is how trustworthy the devs are, because the amount of scammers, makes me suspicious.

[NeuroticFish]

DxBox is a demo application builds on top of DxChain Testnet v0.3.6. It serves as an interface which simplifies the process for users on file uploading and downloading. The application uses the client-provider model for data transferring, where the client is a node that uses DX Token, the DxChain cryptocurrency, for file storage, file uploading, and file downloading. Provider, on the other hand, is a node that provides storage services with disk space to get profits rewarded by the client. To become a provider, the node must make an announcement, which will be added to the blockchain.

First of all, it's not clear what happens when one (or 1000 !) providers leave the network (temporarily or forever). Is there a way to ensure that users' files don't get corrupted or missing?
Second: Dropbox is quite well integrated in tools. From "camera uploads" that works (while some competitors still have issues) to applications that can link with Dropbox account for sync... I think that maybe Google Drive can compete with that, at least on Android. Even if first problem is handles well, there's still a lot of work before DxBox will have a chance against Dropbox.

[ansi]

There i a huge misunderstanding of the use of the Blockchain technology in the Cloud Industry.
Using Blockchain technology in this domain make it more private & secure not decentralized as many may understand.

I started to hate this Decentralization bullshit niche in very crypto project out there & using them randomly just to say " decentralized " whil it centralize like any other non -blockchained buisness or project.

The server are till CENTRALIZED in both DropBox & DxBox, the only difference is one is more safer than the other, which is the blockchained one, that's all. YES blockchained DxBox is more secure than DropBow for sure, i'll give you that. thanks to blockchain technology which is more powerful & stronger than regular encryption so far.

[plast555]

Using Blockchain technology to store data is not the first time. It is much safer to store data in the blockchain. Then it is very likely that they will not disappear. And using the disk space of other users will only increase this probability. You don't have to worry about safety at all.

Yes, this is not new news, but it is good news. This kind of news is quite important for mass adaptation. I'm not using any blockchain-based cloud storage for now. Because I'm not sure if they're working well. I've seen a few projects about it, but I want to know if they're successful in practice.

Could you give a little more information about it? I think a project called Siacoin was providing cloud storage services. Have you ever used this kind of product before?

[Ucy]

Using Blockchain technology to store data is not the first time. It is much safer to store data in the blockchain. Then it is very likely that they will not disappear. And using the disk space of other users will only increase this probability. You don't have to worry about safety at all.

It is much safer and less efficient to store that much data on Blockchain. I think other decentralized/distributed systems will work OK for this purpose. Hopefully in the future everyone participating in storing decentralized data will be able to store as much as they can efficiently and get rewarded accordingly/proportionally

[Eugenar]

Using Blockchain technology to store data is not the first time. It is much safer to store data in the blockchain. Then it is very likely that they will not disappear. And using the disk space of other users will only increase this probability. You don't have to worry about safety at all.

If the data server that holds your important data shuts down, no matter if they are doing a RAID with their drives on cloud that is hotswappable, there's no assurance that your files can be safe. It is still good to use your own storage, especially in storing very personal data or files rather than to trust everything to the cloud. Their generators might be enough for some time of power shortage, but a week of massive shortage will be crucial.

[Strongkored]

Dropbox and Google Drive are still the first choice for users to store their data in cloud, privacy and security are still the main issues of all cloud storage, but so far it is still running well.

Cloud storage based Blockchain technology can be alternative to use but it's still too early that this will replace centralized cloud storage like Dropbox, because what is called decentralization there are still some centralized parts, whether its use will be easy like centralized Cloud Storage.

Just Like DEX the problem is the speed, it could be that speed will be also be a problem in Cloud Storage based Blockchain.

[tsaroz]

This is of course not the first one but the cloud storage future is decentralized. There are few things that are keeping people from being a customer or a storage provider of the services. Promotion is one of them. No one would jump into any new tech unless they feel safe about it. For that, there should be some free options for the customers and storage providers too should volunteer with a low reward.
As mentioned, speed and GUI are the next thing. The speed is largely depended on the technology used by the blockchain to store the data, the number of devices it's stored to. All of the decentralized cloud should first come to one place to share their resources to build an ecosystem while GUI would be specific to the project. Just like torrents and torrent reference sites.

[bobelr]

Dropbox is an awesome tool, but if there is another way of storing data with help of blockchain technology, it brings the security on the whole new level. The only question is how trustworthy the devs are, because the amount of scammers, makes me suspicious.

Haha, we should be more concerned about the centralized side where the admins can meddle with user data however they wish. And the Devs also could code what they like since they have power to and undo. But in the case of Blockchain technology, we all aware of the strength of Blockchain in term of security and privacy control. a lot of the projects are open source, so any form of code manipulation can be detected very fast. But, in reality, the latter is far secure compared to the former.

[bobelr]

There i a huge misunderstanding of the use of the Blockchain technology in the Cloud Industry.
Using Blockchain technology in this domain make it more private & secure not decentralized as many may understand.

I started to hate this Decentralization bullshit niche in very crypto project out there & using them randomly just to say " decentralized " whil it centralize like any other non -blockchained buisness or project.

The server are till CENTRALIZED in both DropBox & DxBox, the only difference is one is more safer than the other, which is the blockchained one, that's all. YES blockchained DxBox is more secure than DropBow for sure, i'll give you that. thanks to blockchain technology which is more powerful & stronger than regular encryption so far.

This is thoughtful. But do you think it is possible for the server to be decentralized? i.e, located somewhere not within the custody of any of the parties in the network? I also think we need to segregate decentralization from actual blockchain protocol even though one leads to the other.

[bobelr]

DxBox is a demo application builds on top of DxChain Testnet v0.3.6. It serves as an interface which simplifies the process for users on file uploading and downloading. The application uses the client-provider model for data transferring, where the client is a node that uses DX Token, the DxChain cryptocurrency, for file storage, file uploading, and file downloading. Provider, on the other hand, is a node that provides storage services with disk space to get profits rewarded by the client. To become a provider, the node must make an announcement, which will be added to the blockchain.

First of all, it's not clear what happens when one (or 1000 !) providers leave the network (temporarily or forever). Is there a way to ensure that users' files don't get corrupted or missing?
Second: Dropbox is quite well integrated in tools. From "camera uploads" that works (while some competitors still have issues) to applications that can link with Dropbox account for sync... I think that maybe Google Drive can compete with that, at least on Android. Even if first problem is handles well, there's still a lot of work before DxBox will have a chance against Dropbox.

The first part of your question sounds a bit technical and requires a tech person perhaps the dev to provide actual answer. I have get in touch with the team and i hope you get response asap. It is true there is a lot of work for DxBox since it is still in developing stage. I believe if BxBox can have the right tools as you stated here, it would be the perfect solution to cloud storage problems.

[bobelr]

This is of course not the first one but the cloud storage future is decentralized. There are few things that are keeping people from being a customer or a storage provider of the services. Promotion is one of them. No one would jump into any new tech unless they feel safe about it. For that, there should be some free options for the customers and storage providers too should volunteer with a low reward.
As mentioned, speed and GUI are the next thing. The speed is largely depended on the technology used by the blockchain to store the data, the number of devices it's stored to. All of the decentralized cloud should first come to one place to share their resources to build an ecosystem while GUI would be specific to the project. Just like torrents and torrent reference sites.

The promotional part cannot be neglected for sure. I am sure the Dxchain team has a good plan for it. Also, the GUI will have one of the best ever. Underlying architecture as explained in the WP and https://blog.dxchain.com/dxbox-blockchain-based-web-application-for-secure-data-storage/ is quite robust to bring the speed to light.

Here i found the resource answers almost all the questions. https://dxchainapidoc.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html

[bobelr]

Dropbox and Google Drive are still the first choice for users to store their data in cloud, privacy and security are still the main issues of all cloud storage, but so far it is still running well.

Cloud storage based Blockchain technology can be alternative to use but it's still too early that this will replace centralized cloud storage like Dropbox, because what is called decentralization there are still some centralized parts, whether its use will be easy like centralized Cloud Storage.

Just Like DEX the problem is the speed, it could be that speed will be also be a problem in Cloud Storage based Blockchain.

Real development takes time though but it will surely start from somewhere. I want to understand well what you meant by the problem of DEX is the speed. cos i think DEX is fast in execution of trade just as CEX could. But the problem is the availability of buy order to match the available sell order but the execution speed is the main subject.

[bobelr]

Using Blockchain technology to store data is not the first time. It is much safer to store data in the blockchain. Then it is very likely that they will not disappear. And using the disk space of other users will only increase this probability. You don't have to worry about safety at all.

If the data server that holds your important data shuts down, no matter if they are doing a RAID with their drives on cloud that is hotswappable, there's no assurance that your files can be safe. It is still good to use your own storage, especially in storing very personal data or files rather than to trust everything to the cloud. Their generators might be enough for some time of power shortage, but a week of massive shortage will be crucial.

I make some good thoughts here. One thing is common to both the kinds of cloud storage which is the existence of server and located somewhere. I think someday, we will get to advanced state where every user will operate a self server. That would be the peak of decentralization.

[bobelr]

Using Blockchain technology to store data is not the first time. It is much safer to store data in the blockchain. Then it is very likely that they will not disappear. And using the disk space of other users will only increase this probability. You don't have to worry about safety at all.

It is much safer and less efficient to store that much data on Blockchain. I think other decentralized/distributed systems will work OK for this purpose. Hopefully in the future everyone participating in storing decentralized data will be able to store as much as they can efficiently and get rewarded accordingly/proportionally

That's correct. The beneficial part of using blockchain for cloud storage service aside of the security is the reward part in cryptocurrency where every parties involved in the storage chain can be rewarded for their time.

[bobelr]

Dropbox is an awesome tool, but if there is another way of storing data with help of blockchain technology, it brings the security on the whole new level. The only question is how trustworthy the devs are, because the amount of scammers, makes me suspicious.

I think that is where a little research is needed.

[bobelr]

DxBox is a demo application builds on top of DxChain Testnet v0.3.6. It serves as an interface which simplifies the process for users on file uploading and downloading. The application uses the client-provider model for data transferring, where the client is a node that uses DX Token, the DxChain cryptocurrency, for file storage, file uploading, and file downloading. Provider, on the other hand, is a node that provides storage services with disk space to get profits rewarded by the client. To become a provider, the node must make an announcement, which will be added to the blockchain.

First of all, it's not clear what happens when one (or 1000 !) providers leave the network (temporarily or forever). Is there a way to ensure that users' files don't get corrupted or missing?
Second: Dropbox is quite well integrated in tools. From "camera uploads" that works (while some competitors still have issues) to applications that can link with Dropbox account for sync... I think that maybe Google Drive can compete with that, at least on Android. Even if first problem is handles well, there's still a lot of work before DxBox will have a chance against Dropbox.

Have a look at this.
Due to the use of erasure coding mechanism, only part of data pieces are needed to recover the original file. Therefore, in case there are some storage hosts left the network, you can still recover your file using the rest of data pieces. For the detailed explanation, you can take a look at the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VERYY-LeUo&t=287s

[AltcoinAuthority]

DxBox is a demo application builds on top of DxChain Testnet v0.3.6. It serves as an interface which simplifies the process for users on file uploading and downloading. The application uses the client-provider model for data transferring, where the client is a node that uses DX Token, the DxChain cryptocurrency, for file storage, file uploading, and file downloading. Provider, on the other hand, is a node that provides storage services with disk space to get profits rewarded by the client. To become a provider, the node must make an announcement, which will be added to the blockchain.

First of all, it's not clear what happens when one (or 1000 !) providers leave the network (temporarily or forever). Is there a way to ensure that users' files don't get corrupted or missing?
Second: Dropbox is quite well integrated in tools. From "camera uploads" that works (while some competitors still have issues) to applications that can link with Dropbox account for sync... I think that maybe Google Drive can compete with that, at least on Android. Even if first problem is handles well, there's still a lot of work before DxBox will have a chance against Dropbox.

Have a look at this.
Due to the use of erasure coding mechanism, only part of data pieces are needed to recover the original file. Therefore, in case there are some storage hosts left the network, you can still recover your file using the rest of data pieces. For the detailed explanation, you can take a look at the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VERYY-LeUo&t=287s

What's the point of that.

Coins need software not more coins.