Re: Using The Internet To Store Data

From: spyros (sninos_at_ee.duth.gr)
Date: 08/15/05 

Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 19:37:19 +0300

howdi folks,
  first of all i'm reading this from sci.crypt, and even though a little
late, I have to ask the following question:

- what does this thread have to do with science dot crypt??? Aren't we a
little bit off topic?

but, anyway, here goes my question in all this.

If I were a theoretical mathematician I would say:
"Let it be a system where data could be sent from one point to another
for ever, until some sort of control program could pull it off the
internet. Lets suppose that data circulates the whole world's networks
without interruptions and with no data loss or corruption. That system
could be used as a data backup system".

(Lets also hope that I understood exactly what Galicean meant, because
English is not my native tongue :) )

I have some questions to ask:

a) Wouldn't you need a network of specialized routers to refresh the TTL
of your packets? That means routers spread all over the world? If not,
how would your packet's TTL will be reset to 255 when needed in order to
keep them circulate the internet?

b) Since the above scenario would undoubtfully increase the net usage,
how do you think ISPs will react? Do you think they are willing to
sacrifice BW from their clients in order for you to have your system
running? How would you keep your system alive, when/if ISPs started
banning your IPs or killing your data packets?

c) How about security concerns?
        c1) What kind of data would you backup in your system? Confidential+ or
just jokes? in the first case, would you prefer your data to circulate
around the world or rather to keep it safe in a computer with UPS or a
simple-petroleum power generator?

        c2) What would be the impact of your system to ALL of the companies
that monitor virus activity? Wouldn't your system masquerade the
activity of a newly found virus spreading fast?

        c3) Intrusion Detection Systems? Log monitoring people/programs? Does
your system put them out of practical functionality or what? What kind
of advanced techniques will we have to deploy in order to distinguish
your backed up data from malicious traffic?

        c4) What kind of auth will your system use? Would it be possible from
anyone in the net to inject his/her own data in your system? If for
example 10.000.000 people put a single file of 1KB each, what would be
the impact in terms of DoS? Or yet, could anyone use your data traffic
for covert communications? (Stego-ing data in your data?)

d) Wouldn't such a system imply that your power providing company has
frequent major power failures? If that is the case, wouldn't it be more
wise to try and find better power providing systems than data backup
systems?

e) If there were a power failure in your area, how would your access
your data (given your computers don't work)? That's why BACKUP servers
where invented for, right? Why would you want to implement such a system
when you could just have 4 different backup servers in 4 different areas
(US states or countries if you like) and solve the problem once and for all?

Conclusion:
===========
I'm no computer network expert but,

a) As far as I know,the system you propose cannot be implemented in
todays' internet. I agree with what all the others said about "Not
possible" (that I know of :) )

b) It is possible to implement it if you deploy routers all over the
world that refresh the TTL.Which is highly impractical and money consuming.

c) Many people for many years have thought about the problem called
"backup and destruction recovery" and I believe there are great
solutions out there. No need for a "better" one.

d) I don't see the connection of this thread with crypt. PLEASE, in the
future stick to the point..

spyros

Relevant Pages

  • RE: HTTP 404 errors
    ... NIC (network Interface Card) in our configuration. ... "Company Web Page" or to list the backup results in the "Server ... Backup program is functioninng properly, but the part that lists the results ... Server Management -Backup - Monitoring and Reporting ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • RE: Implementation of gigabit infrastructure
    ... which is being backed up over the network to the File Server using ... Backup from Exchange to File Server is really taking a lot of time to ... KB:> How long does the Information Store backup take? ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.networking)
  • Identifying the architecture of global economic power
    ... Revealed - the capitalist network that runs the world ... S PROTESTS against financial power sweep the world this week, ... control in the global economy. ...
    (soc.culture.greek)
  • Re: Network Failure - No Idea How to Troubleshoot
    ... Instead, first learn facts. ... network stay stable with this worst case testing ongoing? ... appears to be locking - reset by power cycling. ... UPS and surge protector solutions. ...
    (comp.dcom.lans.ethernet)
  • Thanks to All Or How I saved my AD
    ... and do rebuild of Windows 2000 Server and Service Packs. ... Explorer 5.5, Backup Exec, Diskkeeper and McAfee. ... But Exchange was unable to Mount ... receiving complaints from all over the network about all kinds of problems. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.active_directory)