CLOUD STORAGE

A Technical Seminar Report

submitted for partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
Degree of Bachelor of Technology
Under Biju Patnaik University of Technology

By
Anshuman Shukla, Registration No. 1901298083

2022

Under the guidance of

Dr. Satya Ranjan Pattanaik

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Gandhi Institute for Technology (GIFT)
Bhubaneswar - 752054, Odisha, India
 Declaration

I, Anshuman Shukla, hereby declare that this seminar report

entitled “Cloud Storage”, being submitted to the Biju
Patnaik University of Technology for partial fulfilment of
the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Technology
is a bonafide record of work carried out by me and the
content included in this report is true and has been given
proper citation of the resources in the reference section.

Date:17 Dec 2022 Anshuman

Shukla
Registration No.
1901298083
 Certificate

This is to certify that the Seminar report entitled “Cloud Storage” is a

bonafide record of work done by Anshuman Shukla (Registration No.
1901298083) under the supervision of Dr Satya Ranjan Pattanaik, in
partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Degree of Bachelor of
technology under Biju Pattanaik University of Technology.

Dr. Satya Ranjan Pattanaik Dr. Sujit Kumar Panda

Mentor (Head, Department of CSE)
 Acknowledgement

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those people whose invaluable
contributions, directly or indirectly, have made this Seminar Report a great learning
experience for me.

It is my honor to express my deepest sense of gratitude and appreciation to my

Mentor, Dr. Satya Ranjan Pattanaik for his valuable guidance, intuitive insights
and persistent efforts. His guidance and inspirations enabled me to complete my
report work successfully.

I give my sincere thanks to Dr. Madhumita Panda, Seminar Coordinator, for

giving me the opportunity and motivating me to complete the report within
stipulated period of time.

I acknowledge with immense pleasure the sustained interest, encouraging attitude

and constant inspiration rendered by Dr. Ch V S Parameswara Rao (Principal) and
Dr. Sujit Kumar Panda (HoD, Department of Computer Science and
Engineering). Their constant pursuit of the best quality in everything that happens
at GIFT, Bhubaneswar and selfless inspiration has always kept us moving forward.

I am also thankful to my friends and parents for their constant encouragement.

Anshuman Shukla
 Abstract

Cloud storage is a new concept come into being simultaneously with cloud computing,
and can be divided into public cloud storage, private cloud storage and hybrid cloud
storage. It is a cloud computing model that stores data on the Internet through a cloud
computing provider who manages and operates data storage as a service. It’s delivered
on demand with just-in-time capacity and costs, and eliminates buying and managing
your own data storage infrastructure. This gives you agility, global scale and durability,
with “anytime, anywhere” data access. We review different types of cloud storage and
the key technologies in Cloud Storage and analyze the architecture involved in it. But
with more and more companies migrating to the cloud, the increase in the number of
cloud service providers has been quite apparent. We discuss the essential factors to
consider while choosing the right cloud storage provider from the umpteen options
available and summarize the challenges and advantages of the existing methods.
 Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. What is Cloud Storage? 2

3. How Cloud Storage Works? 4

4. Architecture 5

5. Types of Cloud Storage 6

6. Cloud Storage Providers 7

6.1. Free Cloud Storage 8

6.2. Business Cloud Storage 9

7. Choosing a Cloud Storage Provider 11

8. Risks of Cloud Storage 12

9. Advantages of Cloud Storage 13

10. Disadvantages of Cloud Storage 14

11. Conclusion 15

12. References 15
Introduction
Computer data storage, often called storage or memory, refers to computer components and
recording media that retain digital data used for computing for some interval of time.
Computer data storage provides one of the core functions of the modern computer, that of
information retention. It is one of the fundamental components of all modern computers, and
coupled with a central processing unit (CPU, a processor), implements the basic computer
model used since the 1940s.

Cloud Storage is a model of data storage in which the digital data is stored in logical pools,
the physical storage spans multiple servers (and often 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 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 co-located cloud computer service, a web service application
programming interface (API) or by applications that utilize the API, such as cloud desktop
storage, a cloud storage gateway or Web-based content management systems.

Page | 1
What is Cloud Storage?
Cloud Storage is technology that allows you to save files in storage, and then access those
files via the Cloud. Let's break down this definition. First, storage is the computer's ability to
save files and other resources for later use. When you restart a computer, the files that are still
available after the computer turns back on are saved and read from storage. Such storage
commonly consists of a hard drive, a USB Flash drive, or another type of drive. Because
local data drives can be damaged or stolen, an idea was developed to use data drives over a
network as storage. This allows the drives to be secured in a data center and backed up
automatically. Initially, network storage required fast local networks (LAN), but today we
have a ubiquitous network called the Internet. The second part of Cloud Storage, the Cloud,
represents the Internet. Any service, including storage, available over the Internet, is called
Cloud service. If you use GMAIL it is email in the Cloud, if you use an Amazon MP3 player,
that's music in the Cloud.

There are three types of cloud data storage: object storage, file storage, and block storage.
Each offers their own advantages and have their own use cases:

1. Object Storage 
Applications developed in the cloud often take advantage of object storage's vast
scalability and metadata characteristics. Object storage solutions like Amazon Simple
Storage Service (S3) are ideal for building modern applications from scratch that
require scale and flexibility, and can also be used to import existing data stores for
analytics, backup, or archive.

2. File Storage 
Some applications need to access shared files and require a file system. This type of
storage is often supported with a Network Attached Storage (NAS) server. File
storage solutions like Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) are ideal for use cases like
large content repositories, development environments, media stores, or user home
directories.

3. Block Storage 
Other enterprise applications like databases or ERP systems often require dedicated,
low latency storage for each host. This is analogous to direct-attached storage (DAS)
Page | 2
 or a Storage Area Network (SAN). Block-based cloud storage solutions like Amazon
Elastic Block Store (EBS) are provisioned with each virtual server and offer the ultra
low latency required for high performance workloads.

In past few years, the cloud storage has grown in popularity and has become a direct
challenger to local storage, mainly due to the benefits it provides:

 Security:
The backups are located across multiple servers and are better protected from data
loss or hacking.

 Accessibility:
The data stored is accessible online regardless of location.

 Durability. 
Data is redundantly stored, ideally across multiple facilities and multiple devices in
each facility. Natural disasters, human error, or mechanical faults does not result in
data loss.

Photos

Laptop Media
Mobile Media

Music Documents

How Cloud Storage Works?

Tab Media

Page | 3
While it’s true that all computer owners store data, some users acquire so much information
that their computer almost qualifies as a mini-library of sorts. For these users, finding enough
storage space to hold all the data they’ve accumulated can seem like Mission Impossible.

Cloud Storage

Some people invest in larger hard drives. Others favour external storage devices like thumb
drives or compact discs. Then there are those who are choosing to rely on a growing trend:
cloud storage.

What cloud storage really is boils down to this: It’s saving data to an off-site storage system
maintained by a third party. Rather than storing information to your computer’s hard drive or
other local storage device, you save it to a remote database. The Internet provides the
connection between your computer and the database.

Architecture

Page | 4
 A high-level architecture of cloud storage

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

Cloud storage typically refers to a hosted object storage service, but the term has broadened
to include other types of data storage that are now available as a service, like block storage.

Object storage services like Amazon S3 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 are all examples of storage that can be hosted and deployed with cloud
storage characteristics. There is also multiple cloud services management web application,
like Multcloud designed to tie together all cloud storage services in one platform and transfer
data between cloud drives.

Cloud storage is:

Page | 5
  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

Types of Cloud Storage

There are three main types of cloud storage:

1. Public Cloud Storage

Public cloud storage 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 the enterprise's public cloud storage.

2. Private Cloud Storage

A form of cloud storage where the enterprise and cloud storage provider are
integrated in the enterprise's data center. In private cloud storage, the storage provider
has infrastructure in the enterprise's data center that is typically managed by the
storage provider. Private cloud storage helps resolve the potential for security and
performance concerns while still offering the advantages of cloud storage.

3. Hybrid Cloud Storage

Hybrid cloud storage is a combination of public and private cloud storage where some
critical data resides in the enterprise's private cloud while other data is stored and
accessible from a public cloud storage provider.

Page | 6
Cloud Storage Providers

Types of 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.

Page | 7
 Free Cloud Storage
Below is the list of some top-rated Cloud Storage providers:

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.

Logo of Google Drive

 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.

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.

Logo of One Drive

Page | 8
 Dropbox
It has a great storage support for third-party apps with web interface that remains
streamlined and easy-to-use.

Logo of Dropbox

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.

There are desktop apps for Windows, Linux and Mac, and mobile apps including
Android, iOS and even Kindle.

The web version lets you edit files without the need of downloading them.

 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.

Logo of Spider Oak

Page | 9
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.

Logo of Tresorit

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.

Logo of Egnyte

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

Page | 10
Choosing a Cloud Storage Provider
Using a cloud storage solution can have both advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the
best cloud service provider requires expertise and professionalism. These points need to be
considered for choosing the best cloud storage provider:

Cloud service providers charge fees for their services, which are beyond their free plans.
The free plans usually pose restrictions on the data size which you can store on the cloud.
Before choosing a subscription, it would be best to be well aware of your storage needs.
Maybe it would be better not to go for long-term contracts, as the needs may change as
the business grows.

 Usability
The cloud storage system should be such that we don’t feel the difference between
working on our files over the internet or our local hard drives. We should check out the
user interface and the responsiveness of the system. And look out for all the possible
limitations that might waste our time and sap our productivity.

 Reliability
Even though we can enjoy a free cloud storage service, our endeavor might be
accompanied by surplus charges due to the frequent downtimes, data corruption or
security incidents. Before choosing our cloud storage solution, we should do a thorough
research on the cloud service provider and check out their reputation and brand quality.

 Value for money

Selecting a cloud data storage company that is the least expensive does not mean that the
customer is getting the best value for their money. What we should look for in value is a
combination of everything that makes up the cloud storage company and then, how much
they charge.

 Reliability and Uptime

This category is based on statistical data related to the uptime of the service. It is expected
that cloud storage companies have a 99.9% uptime; however some may fall below that

Page | 11
 due to unforeseen circumstances. But every consumer should be made aware of that so
that they may make the most informed decision in selecting their online storage service
provider.

 Features
This category is a rating of the amount of features that are offered as well as their
usefulness to the consumer. Some cloud storage companies tend to comment on a large
number of features that they offer however, those features are not always of a benefit to
the consumer.

 Storage Space
This category is a comparison of the amount of storage space offered by the company.
Storage space also factors into the ‘value for money’ rating.

 Ease of Use
When testing cloud storage services, we should think of how easy that service is to use. A
good rating represents a median between ease of use for general and technical users.

Risks of Cloud Storage

I don’t think cloud storage is an infallible service. Along with the benefits, they come with a
few risks as well. It’s totally upon you to shortlist the service providers that properly serves
your purposes. Otherwise, you may face some risks in the process of backup. Let’s look at
the flip side of a cloud storage system.

 Requires high speed internet connection most of the time

 Data is stored on third party servers

 When a provider closes its service for maintenance, you may find it troublesome to
access your data

 If your provider closes its service permanently, you may lose you valuable data

 Premium services cost you a considerable amount for the storage volume

Page | 12
Most of the cloud storage service providers offer a free plan that intends to serve your
common needs. In case of dealing with a huge pile of files or business essentials, cloud
storage can be a reasonable way for securing your data in the cloud.

Advantages of Cloud Storage

1. Usability:
All cloud storage services reviewed in this topic have desktop folders for Mac’s and
PC’s. This allows users to drag and drop files between the cloud storage and their
local storage.

2. Bandwidth:
You can avoid emailing files to individuals and instead send a web link to recipients
through your email.

3. Accessibility:
Stored files can be accessed from anywhere via Internet connection.

4. Disaster Recovery:
It is highly recommended that businesses have an emergency backup plan ready in the
case of an emergency. Cloud storage can be used as a back‐up plan by businesses by
providing a second copy of important files. These files are stored at a remote location
and can be accessed through an internet connection.

5. Cost Savings:
Businesses and organizations can often reduce annual operating costs by using cloud
storage; cloud storage costs about 3 cents per gigabyte to store data internally. Users
can see additional cost savings because it does not require internal power to store
information remotely.

Page | 13
Disadvantages of Cloud Storage
1. Usability:
Be careful when using drag/drop to move a document into the cloud storage folder.
This will permanently move your document from its original folder to the cloud
storage location. Do a copy and paste instead of drag/drop if you want to retain the
document’s original location in addition to moving a copy onto the cloud storage
folder.

2. Bandwidth:
Several cloud storage services have a specific bandwidth allowance. If an
organization surpasses the given allowance, the additional charges could be
significant. However, some providers allow unlimited bandwidth. This is a factor that
companies should consider when looking at a cloud storage provider.

3. Accessibility:
If you have no internet connection, you have no access to your data.

4. Data Security:
There are concerns with the safety and privacy of important data stored remotely. The
possibility of private data commingling with other organizations makes some
businesses uneasy. If you want to know more about those issues that govern data
security and privacy, here is an interesting article on the recent privacy debates.

5. Software:
If you want to be able to manipulate your files locally through multiple devices, you’ll
need to download the service on all devices.

Page | 14
Conclusion
 Many of the activities loosely grouped together under cloud computing have already
been happening and centralised computing activity is not a new phenomenon

 Grid Computing was the last research-led centralised approach

 However there are concerns that the mainstream adoption of cloud computing could
cause many problems for users

 Many new open source systems appearing that you can install and run on your local
cluster

References
1. www.google.com

2. www.wikipedia.org

3. https://aws.amazon.com/

4. https://www.dropbox.com/

5. https://www.ibm.com/in-en

Page | 15