Hybrid Storage Cloud Data Distribution and Encryption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data storage systems face challenges in providing both privacy and accessibility, as private storage clouds offer higher security but slower access and lower reliability, while public storage clouds provide faster access but are less secure, especially when users are outside the local network.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid storage system that distributes file chunks and recovery data across both private and public storage clouds, with optional encryption, to enhance security and accessibility by storing important files in multiple locations and using error correction codes for data recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If data is stored in a private storage cloud, then security and privacy are improved, but access speed and reliability deteriorate when users are outside the local network

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidaccess speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides data into multiple chunks and distributes them across both private and public storage clouds. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the security of private storage while utilizing the faster access capabilities of public storage, resolving the contradiction between security and access speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements different storage strategies for different data chunks based on their access patterns and security requirements. Frequently accessed or less sensitive data is stored in public storage clouds for fast access, while critical data remains in private storage, optimizing both security and performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If data is stored in a private storage cloud, then security is improved, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddata reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting data into chunks and distributing them across multiple storage locations including public clouds, the system reduces the risk of total data loss. If one storage location fails, other chunks remain accessible, improving overall reliability while maintaining security through distributed architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements redundancy by storing multiple copies of data chunks across different storage clouds before any failure occurs. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if a storage location becomes unavailable, the system can still retrieve data from other locations, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Speed

If data is stored in a public storage cloud, then access speed is improved, but security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess speedVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data into multiple chunks and selectively distributes them across public and private storage clouds. This allows the system to take advantage of the fast access speeds of public clouds for non-critical data while maintaining security for sensitive information in private storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different security measures and storage locations are applied to different data chunks based on their sensitivity and access requirements. Less sensitive data stored in public clouds receives standard security measures, while the overall system maintains high security through the distributed architecture and selective placement of sensitive data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Object-affected harmful factors

If data is distributed across multiple storage clouds, then accessibility and security are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a storage manager as an intermediary component that handles the complexity of distributed storage operations. This manager coordinates data chunk distribution, monitors storage locations, and manages retrieval operations across multiple clouds, thereby improving security and accessibility while abstracting away the complexity from the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10289310B2Hybrid data storage system with private storage cloud and public storage cloud
Publication Date: 2019.05.14 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • US10289310B2 patent drawing
  • US10289310B2 patent drawing
  • US10289310B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for accessing data on a storage system. An apparatus, such as a data storage device or a computing device, may include a memory configured to store data. The apparatus is configured to receive a request for a file stored in a storage system. The storage system includes a private storage cloud and a set of public storage clouds. The apparatus is also configured to determine whether the file is retrievable from the set of public storage clouds. If the file is retrievable from the set of public storage clouds the apparatus may determine whether access to the set of public storage clouds is faster than access to the private storage cloud and may retrieve the file from one or more of the private storage cloud and the set of public storage clouds.