How Does it Work?
The process of storing and retrieving a file on Züs involves four steps: creating an allocation, uploading a file by splitting it into fragments, distributing them to multiple servers, and downloading from enough servers to reconstruct the original file.
Create an Allocation
To get started, you can customize your data protection plan with the number of data and parity bobbers. You can further select your own storage providers (Blobbers), but can also ask the network to select randomly for you based on a preferred price and geolocation.
Once your offer is matched with a group of Blobbers, an allocation of storage is created for you to upload files to Züs.
Technical Note
Once your storage plan is approved, a proof of this storage agreement is issued on the Züs blockchain as an Allocation ID.
Split file into fragments
As the file is uploaded, it is erasure encoded for redundancy and split up into fragments.
Technical Note
This is an erasure coding process that enables the stored files to be distributed and resilient (reliable). For additional privacy, you can opt to encrypt your file prior to uploading.
Distribute fragments
Your file fragments are then distributed out to multiple servers (Blobbers).
Technical Note
The fragments are both distributed to and stored by your group of Blobbers, as per the storage agreement terms (specified in Allocation ID).
Reconstruct original file
When you want your file, the fragments are brought back together again, reconstructing the file to its original form.
Technical Note
A smaller number of fragments, based on the number of data bobbers, is required to reshape the file. This means the file can be recovered even if only a few Blobbers are online.Design your cloud with a few clicks.
Select a storage size. Determine the number of data and parity shards for redundancy and performance. Select storage providers based on geolocation, price, and quality score. Pay with card or tokens. Credit card payment automatically protects against expiration of allocation
You can add a storage provider anytime to increase redundancy and switch providers for either cost or performance.
QoS Protocol
The blockchain randomly challenges storage providers (blobbers) for proof of storage and performance. Blobbers earn income and rewards for passing challenges and their quality of service is based on such and is a trustless mechanism to ensure good server, network, and datacenter performance.
