Problem Statement: Creating a private cloud storage for files is easy, but often relies on a single device. Our solution implements multiple sites to create a single service that allows for redundancy of data and connection to the data stored inside.
Technology Solution: The convenience of cloud computing allows data to be stored over the internet opposed to hard drives and our cloud computing project allows the users an easy-to-use service for data storage, as well as access to said data from any device.
Major Function/Features:
- Storage of personal files is the overall goal of the system. Because this is a central location that is not directly tied to a user's platform of service, it gives them the ability to access these files from any location.
- Sharing the files between users is a possibility that allows the user greater function. Rather than just emailing a file back and forth, or having to be connected to the same network for an older fashion network share, the fact this is directly accessible from the internet allows that sharing to happen anywhere.
- Team coordination with the sharing of files and information allows the team to become more fluid. With the real time update of files and sharing through the application allows the quick updates and edits between team members.
- Redundancy is an important function to provide constant uptime of services. Any outage or downtime can be detrimental since no one could have access to it. Having three sites in different geographical locations allow the services to be reachable even if there are any issues in one location.
Development Tools/Environment:
- NextCloud - pre-existing software used to create file hosting services. We chose this because it is a ready-to-use software option that fulfills our cloud computing needs. It offers expansive options, such as implementing our need for redundancy and also offers a mobile application for clients to utilize file storing on-the-go.
- SAML Login with Microsoft Azure AD - an easy-to-implement option for SSO & SAML authentication.
- Raspberry Pi - an inexpensive computing option to create the cloud server on.
- Local drives - Jeremiah will be using a 240gb SSD since it would be the primary node. Ben will be using a 128gb flash drive and Samuel will be using a 64gb flash drive.
- Basic understanding of C, Python and Linux is required to write the code onto the Raspberry Pi.