Cloud

Storage

A Seminar
Report

Submitted In Partial Fulfilment of the

Requirement for the Award of

Second Year

B a c h e l o r o f Te c h n o l o g y
in

UNDER T H E GUIDANCE OF

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING

DR.BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR TECHNOLOGICAL
UNIVERSITY LONERE-402103
Tal.Mangaon,Dist-Raigad(MS) INDIA
 C E R T I F I C AT E
This report entitled “Cloud Computing ” submitted by Mr.Krushna Narayan
Khedkar (PRN-2130331245010) is approved for the partial fulfillment of the
requirement for the award of second year (2022-23) in Computer Engineering

Prof. Shweta Tembe Dr. L.D. Netak

Guide Head
Department of Computer Department of Computer Engineering
Engineering

Examiners
1.______________________(Name:______________________)
2.______________________(Name:______________________)

Place: Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University Lonere

Date: / /
 Acknowledgements

Apart from my own, the success of this report depends largely on the encour-
agement and guidelines of many others. I am especially grateful to my Prof.
L.D.Netak and also the Head of Computer Engineering Department, DBATU who
has provided guidance, expertise and encouragement. I am thankful to the staff of
Computer Engineering Department for their cooperation and support.

I would like to put forward my heartfelt acknowledgement to all my

classmates,friends and all those who have directly or indirectly provided their
overwhelming support during my seminar work and the development of this report.
 ABSTRACT

Cloud storage is the abstraction, pooling, and sharing of storage resources

through the internet. Cloud storage is facilitated by IT environments known as
clouds, which enable cloud computing—the act of running workloads within a cloud
environment. Access cloud storage doesn't require an intranet connection (that’s
known as network-attached storage) or a direct connection to storage hardware (that's
known as direct-attached storage).

There are 3 types of cloud storage: public cloud storage, private cloud storage, and
hybrid cloud storage. There are also 3 ways to format this storage: As blocks, files, or
objects. Each format has its pros and cons (blocks are faster, files are easier to
understand, and objects work best with quick moving workloads), but some
software-defined cloud storage products can combine all 3 formats into a unified,
easy-to-deploy solution.

Many organizations are discovering that traditional storage methods can be the
bottleneck that slows their agility and scalability. This has led to the development of
containers, which allow applications to scale rapidly, be more reliable, and offer
better performance than more conventional means or methods.
Contents

1 Introduction 1

1.1 What is Cloud?: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.2 Advantages of the Cloud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1.3 Disadvantages of the Cloud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2 Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 Potential Concerns 7
3.1 Data Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

8
3.2 Longevity: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
8
3.3 Accessibility: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Types, Pros and Cons 9

4.1
3.4 Other Concerns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.1.1 Public Cloud Storage

4.1.2 Private Cloud Storage
4.1.3 Hybrid Cloud Storage
4.2 Benefits Of Cloud storage 11
4.1.4 Community Cloud Storage
4.2 Challenges Of Cloud storage 12
5 Applications
5.1 Cloud Storage Providers
5.2 Free Cloud Storage
5.2.1 Google Drive
5.2.2 Dropbox 20
5.2.3 Onedrive
5.3 Business Cloud Storage
5.3.1 Spider Oak
5.3.2 Tresorit
5.3.3 Egnyte

6 Conclusion

7 References
 Chapter 1

Introduction

Cloud storage is a model of computer data storage in which the

digital data is stored in logical pools, said to be on "the cloud". The physical storage
spans multiple servers (sometimes in multiple locations), and the physical
environment is typically owned and managed by a hosting company. These cloud
storage providers are responsible for keeping the data available and accessible, and
the physical environment secured, protected, and running. People and organizations
buy or lease storage capacity from the providers to store user, organization, or
application data.

Cloud storage services may be accessed through a colocated

cloud computing service, a web service application programming interface (API) or
by applications that use the API, such as cloud desktop storage, a
cloud storage gateway or Web-based content management systems.

In 1994, AT&T launched PersonaLink Services, an online platform for

personal and business communication and entrepreneurship. The storage was one of
the first to be all web-based, and referenced in their commercials as, "you can think
of our electronic meeting place as the cloud." [Amazon Web Services introduced their
cloud storage service AWS S3 in 2006, and has gained widespread recognition and
adoption as the storage supplier to popular services such as SmugMug, Dropbox,
and Pinterest. In 2008, Microsoft announced an online file sharing and personal
cloud content management service names as Azure.

1
 What is Cloud?
Vocabulary Words to Know Upload – Take a file from a local machine and send it “up”
to cloud storage Download – Take a file from cloud storage and bring it “down” to
your local machine Server - A computer that responds to requests over a computer
network The cloud is simply a network of computers. It refers to a network of
computers owned by one person or company, where other people or companies can
store their data. On your personal machine, everything is stored on one physical
storage device – your hard drive. Cloud storage refers to a virtual storage area that can
span across many different physical storage devices. When you use cloud storage,
some of your files may be on a physical server in New York while other files are on a
physical server in California. Since most users do not know where their physical files
are, using cloud storage can be thought of as a vague, untouchable thing – much like a
cloud itself! Most data you access via the internet that is not stored on your personal
computer is part of the cloud. For example, if you use an internet-based email service
like Gmail, Yahoo, or Live, you can access your email anywhere you have an internet
connection. This is because the data is stored on servers owned by the respective e-mail
providers, not your local machine. Your email is in the cloud

Although the cloud is more like an idea

that you can physically touch, the
computers that make up the “cloud”
require physical space. The facilities that
store the physical equipment used by the
cloud are called data centers.Data centers
can be anywhere in the world. They are
generally in warehouses that have complex
cooling systems to keep the computers
from overheating

2
 Advantages of the Cloud

 Syncing

Many cloud storage services offer syncing services. When you set up the
software on your local machine, it will create a special folder on your computer and
any changes made to the files in that folder will be automatically synced to your
cloud storage as long as your computer is connected to the internet. When you access
your cloud storage from a different computer, you will see the same files that are in
that folder on your personal computer. Also, any files you upload to your cloud
storage from a different computer will be synced to that same cloud storage folder.

 Convenience

One of the biggest benefits of using the cloud is that your data can be
accessed from multiple devices. Cloud storage services can usually be accessed from
any device with an internet connection. You can check your email, read your
documents, view your online photos, or listen to your online music from any
computer, tablet, or internet-enabled cell phone.

 Online Backups

One advantage to using a cloud service is that it can serve as an online

backup for important files in case your computer stops working. If your computer
crashes or you accidentally delete pictures from your hard drive, you can simply
login to the cloud service and download your files again. Some cloud storage
services may prompt you to automatically add files to the synced folder as soon as
you add them to your computer to serve as a backup.

3
 Disadvantages of the Cloud

 Internet Connection Required

Since data stored on the cloud is on a third party’s computer, you will need
an internet connection to access it. If you do not have access to the internet, you will
not be able access the network of computers that store your data.

 Bandwidth Costs

Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be carried over the
internet from one point to another. Some internet service providers give users a
monthly bandwidth allocation. By transferring data to and from the cloud, you will
be using part of the allocation and may have to pay overage charges if you go over
that allocation.

 Privacy

One downside of the cloud is potential privacy issues. Make sure you read
the terms of service and privacy policy of any cloud storage service closely. You
want to make sure that you are not agreeing to anything that you are uncomfortable
with. For example, any cloud storage company in the U.S. can be required to give the
government access to your files with a subpoena. A website called Terms of Service
– Didn’t Read, www.tosdr.org, attempts to break down terms of service into easy to
understand language.

4
 Chapter 2

Architecture

Cloud storage is based on highly virtualized infrastructure and is like

broader cloud computing in terms of interfaces, near-instant elasticity and scalability,
multi-tenancy, and metered resources. Cloud storage services can be used from an off-
premises service (Amazon S3) or deployed on-premises (ViON Capacity Services).

There are three types of cloud storage: a hosted object storage service,
file storage, and block storage. Each of these cloud storage types offer their own unique
advantages.

Examples of object storage services that can be hosted and deployed with
cloud storage characteristics include Amazon S3, Oracle Cloud Storage and
Microsoft Azure Storage, object storage software like Openstack Swift, object storage
systems like EMC Atmos, EMC ECS and Hitachi Content Platform, and distributed
storage research projects like OceanStore and VISION Cloud.

5
_________________________________________________________________________________

Examples of file storage services include Amazon Elastic File System

(EFS) and Qumulo Core,[ used for applications that need access to shared files and
require a file system. This storage is often supported with a Network Attached Storage
(NAS) server, used for large content repositories, development environments, media
stores, or user home directories.

A block storage service like Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS) is used for
other enterprise applications like databases and often require dedicated, low latency
storage for each host. This is comparable in certain respects to direct attached storage
(DAS) or a storage area network (SAN).

Cloud storage is:

Made up of many distributed resources, but still acts as one, either in a
federated or a cooperative storage cloud architecture

• Highly fault tolerant through redundancy and distribution of data

• Highly durable through the creation of versioned copies
• Typically eventually consistent with regard to data replicas

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6
 Chapter 3

Potential Concerns

 Data Security
Outsourcing data storage increases the attack surface area.
• When data has been distributed it is stored at more locations increasing the risk of
unauthorized physical access to the data. For example, in cloud based
architecture, data is replicated and moved frequently so the risk of unauthorized
data recovery increases dramatically. Such as in the case of disposal of old
equipment, reuse of drives, reallocation of storage space. The manner that data is
replicated depends on the service level a customer chooses and on the service
provided. When encryption is in place it can ensure confidentiality.
Crypto-shredding can be used when disposing of data (on a disk).

• The number of people with access to the data who could be compromised (e.g.,
bribed, or coerced) increases dramatically. A single company might have a small
team of administrators, network engineers, and technicians, but a cloud storage
company will have many customers and thousands of servers, therefore a much
larger team of technical staff with physical and electronic access to almost all of
the data at the entire facility or perhaps the entire company. Decryption keys that
are kept by the service user, as opposed to the service provider, limit the access to
data by service provider employees. As for sharing multiple data in the cloud with
multiple users, a large number of keys has to be distributed to users via secure
channels for decryption, also it has to be securely stored and managed by the users
in their devices. Storing these keys requires rather expensive secure storage. To
overcome that, key-aggregate cryptosystem can be used.

7
 Longevity

Companies are not permanent and the services and products they provide can change.
Outsourcing data storage to another company needs careful investigation and nothing
is ever certain. Contracts set in stone can be worthless when a company ceases to
exist or its circumstances change. Companies can:
• Go bankrupt.
• Expand and change their focus.
• Be purchased by a company headquartered in or move to a country that negates
compliance with export restrictions and thus necessitates a move.
• Suffer an irrecoverable disaster.

 Accessibility

1.Performance for outsourced storage is likely to be lower than local storage,

depending on how much a customer is willing to spend for WAN bandwidth
2.Reliability and availability depends on wide area network availability and on the
level of precautions taken by the service provider. Reliability should be based on
hardware as well as various algorithms used.
3.Its a given a multiplicity of data storage.

 Other Concerns

1.Security of stored data and data in transit may be a concern when storing sensitive
data at a cloud storage provider
2. Cloud storage is a rich resource for both hackers and national security
agencies. Because the cloud holds data from many different users and organizations,
hackers see it as a very valuable target.

. 8
 Chapter 4
Types,Pros and Cons

 Types
There are four types of Cloud-Storage as detailed below:

 Public Cloud Storage

It is where the enterprise and storage service provider are separate and there aren’t
any cloud resources stored in the enterprise’s data center. The cloud-storage provider
fully manages enterprise’s public cloud storage.

 Private Cloud Storage

The enterprise and cloud-storage provider are integrated in the enterprise’s data
center. Private cloud storage helps in resolving the potential for security and
performance concerns while still offering the advantages of cloud-storage.

9
 Hybrid Cloud Storage

It is a combination of public and private cloud-storage where critical data are stored
in enterprise’s private cloud while other data is stored in public cloud.

 Community cloud storage

Community cloud storage is a variation of the private cloud storage model, which
offers cloud solutions for specific businesses or communities. In this model, cloud
storage providers offer their cloud architecture, software and other development tools
to meet the community’s requirements. Any data is stored on the community-owned
private cloud storage to manage the community’s security and compliance needs.
Community cloud storage is a great option for health, financial or legal companies
with strict compliance policies.

10
 Benefits of Cloud Storage

 Flexibility and ease of access

Cloud storage means that your data is not tied down to any one location. Various
stakeholders can access assets stored on the cloud from a location and device of their
choice without any download or installation hassles.

 Fast scalability

A major benefit of cloud storage is that you can provision new resources with only a
few clicks without the need for any additional infrastructure. When faced with an
unprecedented increase in data volumes, this feature aids business continuity.

 Redundancy for backup

Data redundancy (i.e., replicating the same data in multiple locations) is essential for
an effective backup mechanism. The cloud ensures your data is kept secure in a
remote location in case of a natural disaster, accident, or cyberattack.

 Long-term cost savings

In the long-term, cloud storage can save you significantly in the costs of
hardware equipment, storage facilities, power supply, and personnel, which are sure to
multiply as your organization grows.

11
 Challenges of Cloud Storage

 Risk of vendor lock-in

If all your data is stored in a single public cloud platform, there’s a risk of vendor
lock-in and potential inflexibilities. Address this with a hybrid or multi-cloud
blueprint where there is sufficient interoperability between environments.

 Security issues around multi-tenancy

Public cloud environments are shared by multiple tenants, which can multiply your
security vulnerabilities. You can prevent this through cloud data protection and by
leveraging the private cloud for sensitive data.

 Fragmentation of IT landscape

Unplanned cloud storage adoption can cause your IT landscape to become

fragmented over time. That’s why you need a detailed strategic blueprint outlining
your short, mid, and long-term cloud roadmap.

 Outage and downtime risk

Cloud platforms managed by external providers could suffer from an outage,

rendering the data and applications stored in these environments inaccessible.
Service level agreements should specify downtime metrics, and you need additional
redundancy for your most critical data.

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 Chapter 5

Applications

 Cloud Storage Providers

Consumers and businesses continue to reduce their need to rely on local storage by
placing files and applications in the cloud. One has to choose a provider who will
offer the maximum amount of low-cost storage and bandwidth, while still keeping
your data safe.

 Free Cloud Storage

Below is the list of some top rated Cloud Storage providers:

 Google Drive
 Dropbox
 One Drive
13
 Google Drive

Google is one of the giants in cloud-storage. It offers:

Free Data Storage up to 15GB – Google Drive is one of the most generous cloud
offerings. Google storage space is also shared with other Google services including
Gmail and Google Photos. Mobile apps are also available for easy access for iOS
and Android users.

 Backup and Sync Desktop App – It lets you to synchronize files from PC to the
cloud.
 G Suit Tools – Includes online office tools for word processing, spreadsheets and
presentations which make sharing files with others effortless.

 Dropbox

It has a great storage support for third-party apps with web interface that remains
streamlined and easy-to-use.

14
Dropbox has 2GB of storage space for new users. However there are other ways for
boosting this space without paying, such as inviting friends (500MB for referral),
completing getting started guide (250MB), etc.

 One Drive

One Drive is particularly for Microsoft Windows users. It allows 5GB of free data
storage. It has a great integration with Microsoft products. The files can be edited
without downloading. File sharing in One Drive is possible with other users even
if they aren’t One Drive users.

15
 Business Cloud Storage

The examples of Business Cloud-Storage are as follows:

 Spider Oak

Founded in 2007, Spider Oak is a collaboration tool, file hosting and online
backup service. It allows users to access, synchronize and share data using a
cloud-based server.

The main focus in Spider Oak is on privacy and security. The tool has a very
basic design which makes the admin console and all central device management
very straightforward to use. It also includes drag and drop feature for organizing

files.

 Tresorit

Founded in 2011, Tresorit is a cloud storage provider based in Hungary and

Switzerland. It emphasizes on enhanced security and data encryption for
businesses and personal users.

16
It allows you to keep control of your files through ‘zero-knowledge encryption’
which means only you and the chosen few you decide to share with and see your
data.

 Egnyte

Founded in 2007, Egnyte provides software for enterprise file synchronization

and sharing. It allows businesses to store their data locally and online.

It integrates with applications such as Office 365. This allows both remote and
internal employees to access the files with ease.

17
 Chapter 6
Conclusion

Even if the cloud plays a central role in data processing and storage, the future of
cloud and data storage is changing rapidly. Data security is one of the major
concerns in cloud storage, and in the future, mass data breaches will be a strong
point of concern for businesses that opt for cloud storage.

In such a scenario, will the cloud become obsolete? What are the possible
alternatives to store complex data in the future? There are many options on the
table, including serverless computing. Our two essential tips for techies looking
at optimizing cloud services are conducting regular reviews and identifying
redundant tasks on cloud services. The idea is to enjoy the freedom that the
cloud offers without overspending.

18
 References

1 Wikipedia Cloud Storage

2 ZDNet, Nasuni Cloud Storage Gateway By Dan Kusnetzky, June 1, 2010
3 Community Workshop Series UNC Education
4 Blog On Cloud Storage

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