Storing data in large centralized data centers is accompanied by performance, availability and scalability issues, as well as high capital or operational costs. Centralized data is also an open invitation to sophisticated cyber attacks. For these reasons, companies are looking for ways to decentralize data storage. Storage blockchain is a way to do it.
The storage blockchain is still a relatively young technology, but its popularity is growing. Potential use cases of companies have begun to emerge in an attempt to increase the security and reliability of data storage. Understanding how this technology works is a critical first step in determining if it is the right approach for your organization.
How the blockchain storage works
Blockchain is a distributed register technology for registering transactions between two or more parties. Until recently, the technology was primarily used to support cryptocurrencies, like bitcoins, but is now gaining ground in other areas.
The blockchain ledger acts as a decentralized database that maintains details about each transaction. Transactions are added to the ledger in chronological order and stored as a series of blocks. Each block refers to the previous block to form an interconnected chain.
Because of its distributed nature, the blockchain is touted as a natural adaptation for P2P, decentralized storage.
The ledger is distributed on multiple nodes, with each node maintaining a complete copy. Blockchain automatically synchronizes and validates transactions on all nodes. The registry is transparent and verifiable by all participating members, eliminating the need for a central authority or a third-party verification service.
Because of its distributed nature, the blockchain is touted as a natural adaptation for decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) storage. In this scenario, blockchain provides the structure necessary to create a logical storage pool of geographically dispersed storage resources that act as blockchain nodes.
A blockchain-based storage system prepares data for storage and then distributes it through a decentralized infrastructure, a process that can be divided into the following six steps:
Create fragments of data. The archiving system divides the data into smaller segments, a process called sharding. Sharding involves splitting data into manageable blocks that can be distributed across multiple nodes. The exact approach to sharding depends on the type of data and the application that performs the sharding. Sharding a relational database is different from sharing a NoSQL database or file sharing to a file share.
Crypt every fragment. The storage system then encrypts every piece of data on the local system. The content owner has complete control over this process. The goal is to ensure that no one other than the content owner can view or access data in a fragment, wherever data is located and whether data is at rest or in motion.
Generate a hash for each fragment. The blockchain storage system generates a unique hash, an encrypted output string of a fixed length, based on shard data or cryptographic keys. The hash is added to the metadata of the ledger and the fragment to link the transactions to the stored fragments. The exact approach to hash generation varies from one system to another.
Replicate every fragment. The storage system replicates each fragment so as to have sufficient redundant copies to ensure availability and performance and to protect against degradation and data loss. The owner of the content chooses how many copies to make of each fragment and where those fragments are located. As part of this process, the content owner should set a threshold for the minimum number of copies to keep to ensure data loss.
Distribute the replicated fragments. A P2P network distributes replicated fragments to geographically dispersed storage nodes, regionally or globally. Multiple organizations or individuals – sometimes referred to as farmers – owns the storage nodes, leasing additional storage space in exchange for some kind of compensation, typically cryptocurrency. No entity owns all storage resources or controls the storage infrastructure. Only content owners have full access to all their data, regardless of where these nodes are located.
Record transactions in the ledger. The archiving system records all transactions in the master blockchain and synchronizes this information on all the nodes. The ledger stores details relevant to the transaction, such as the location of the shard, hash shard and lease costs. Because the ledger is based on blockchain technology, it is transparent, verifiable, traceable and tamper-proof.
Although point six is listed last, blockchain integration is an ongoing process, with the exact approach that depends on the storage system. For example, it may initially register the transaction in the blockchain register when the archiving process begins. Then, it would update the transaction with information, such as the unique hash or specific node details, as they become available. Then, after the transaction has been verified by the participating nodes, the system marks the transaction as definitive inside the ledger and blocks it to prevent changes.
The six steps described here are intended as a way to conceptualize the blockchain storage process. The exact approach will depend on how the specific storage system is implemented for a given use case and how data storage is handled.
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