Distributed Storage System for Long-Term Data Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Object Storage Systems are inadequate for long-term data storage due to limitations in resilience, security, and energy efficiency, as they often require high bandwidth, are geographically concentrated, and lack robust mechanisms for end-to-end user confidentiality and authentication, making them vulnerable to geopolitical, economic, and geographic risks.
Innovation Solution
A Distributed Storage System that utilizes multiple Object Storage Systems across diverse geographical locations, implementing rule-based replication, consistency, and storage control engines to ensure low energy consumption, robust authentication, and secure data management, allowing for efficient operation across different political and legal environments and enabling multi-generational ownership of stored objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is stored in a single location using conventional storage systems, then storage simplicity is maintained, but reliability and resilience against geopolitical, economic, and geographic risks deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into multiple objects and distributes them across geographically separated storage systems. Each storage system holds a portion of the data, and the system reconstructs complete data by combining objects from multiple locations. This segmentation approach improves reliability by ensuring data survival even if some storage systems fail or become inaccessible due to geopolitical, economic, or geographic events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested encryption where data objects are encrypted with multiple layers of cryptographic keys. Each object contains encrypted data nested within encrypted metadata, which is itself encrypted. This nested structure allows the system to maintain security and reliability while managing complexity through hierarchical organization of encryption layers.
2Reliability
If multiple replicas of data are stored across different locations, then data reliability is improved, but energy consumption and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic integrity checking of stored data objects rather than continuous verification. The system schedules regular checks to ensure data integrity and availability, reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring while maintaining reliable data availability. This periodic action allows the system to balance reliability with energy efficiency.
3Reliability
If robust authentication and encryption mechanisms are implemented, then security is improved, but system complexity and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal cryptographic framework where a single set of encryption algorithms and protocols serves multiple security functions. The same encryption mechanisms protect data at rest, in transit, and during processing. This multi-functional approach strengthens security while reducing overall system complexity by avoiding the need for separate security subsystems for different operations.
4Productivity
If data is stored in geographically concentrated locations, then operational efficiency is maintained, but vulnerability to geographic risks such as natural disasters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data storage across geographically separated locations, dividing the data storage function into multiple independent sites. This segmentation reduces vulnerability to geographic risks such as natural disasters, as failure or inaccessibility of one location does not compromise the entire data set. The system maintains operational efficiency by using standardized interfaces and protocols for distributed access.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed storage system for the long-term storage of data objects that is implemented utilizing one or more distinct storage sites that may be comprised of system controllers and object storage systems that act in concert to embody a single distributed storage system. A system may include a one or more types and/or instances of object storage systems. A system may include object storage systems that are powered on for a limited time as required to complete queued data operations. A system may further include system controllers associated with logical and/or physical sites that coordinate object, user, device, and system management functionally.