Design And Implementation Of A Cloud Based File Sharing System

Computer Science Project Material with Source Code Included

Abstract

Recently, with the advancement in technology, there has been a drastic change in the way information is shared over the internet. This involves the various channels in which files can be stored and shared. Cloud sharing is a relatively new technology advancement which has been steadily taking over more and more market share in the past three years. The cloud file sharing technique makes users share files among each other with ease, easy to setup, and open-source. Cloud file sharing is publicized as the next major step for all forms of typical information technology use. From businesses, to non-profit organizations, to single users, there seems to be various applications which can use cloud file sharing or storage in daily computer usage, to offer a better, faster, and smarter way to share important document. This paper aims to build a cloud based file sharing application, offering users the power to share files via cloud networks in the palm of their hand.

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

File sharing has been a means of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, these information could be computer programs, multimedia files like (audio, images and video), documents, or digital books. The Phrase “cloud computing” is defined as a framework or sort of programming application. Cloud computing is on high request and saves a lot of cost in processing and adaptability, high-accessibility, and decreased data usage. Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) is a case of IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) stage. It offers fundamental foundation segment, for example, CPUs, memory, and capacity. Google App Engine is a case of PaaS (Platform as a Service) stage. In Distributed computing stage Cloud server is a physical server. In light of IaaS and PaaS stages, a lot of time and money have been saved for start-up companies, such as foursquare and dropbox. Cloud computing is a technology that utilizes the web and central remote servers to keep up applications and data storage. One significant challenge is the manner by which to move these conventional applications to the cloud. This research focuses on the migration of specific flies of any size, from the local storage device to a cloud based system with more security, and can be easily accessed at any part of the world.

The cloud computing is developing quickly for it offers on-demand computing power and capacity. The power of cloud computing empowers dynamic adaptability of utilizations confronting different methods of file transfer in our advanced technology age. However, challenges emerge while considering the enormous amount of files to be shared. In this research, we propose moving of flies, from the traditional FTP service to the cloud. We execute FTP file transfer on Windows Azure Platform alongside the auto-scaling cloud feature. Furthermore, we implement a benchmark to study the performance of our Cloud sharing system. This research focuses on designing and implementing a cloud file sharing system, the potential benefits and technical issues associated with sharing of files easily for easy retrieval.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The essential challenges faced with the conventional way of file sharing, management and storage techniques (such as manual filing or sharing of images, documents etc) is that users have little control over –or even knowledge the type of file being shared, if it contains a virus. Also, users do not or sometimes don’t remember the names of these files, the files contents, and their storage locations, this increases the risk of lost.

There may also be irregularities during file sharing, this could be lack of connectivity strength, device compatibility and other human factors. The cloud based file sharing system will be an effective way to share files over the internet and give other usage access to view or manage the uploaded files easily at any part of the globe via the internet.

1.3 Aims and Objective of the Study

The main aim of this research, is the Implementation and design of a cloud based file sharing system for easy sharing on a secured platform, with the following objectives:

Users can easily host, store and backup data, with high-performance computing easy to retrieve.
Files can be accessed without any limiting factor, example device compatibilities.
Availability of flies at any time. Cloud computing offers availability difficulties experienced in the conventional way of file sharing.

1.4 Scope of the Study

The scope of the research is focused on designing and implementing a Cloud based file sharing system, which will represent as a platform for file sharing, information storage and dissemination.

1.5 Limitation of the Study

One of the major limitation of the study is – The internet, which is the only way to cloud computing. When there is no internet connection, the internet path to the cloud file sharing system is in trouble, automatically access to your cloud files can only be accessed when connected to the internet, and in most part of the world, internet cost is high.

1.6 Definition of Terms

Cloud Computing

The practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.

Internet

An electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world.

File Sharing

File sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digital media, such as computer programs, multimedia, documents or electronic books.

FTP

The File Transfer Protocol is a standard network protocol used for the transfer of computer files between a client and server on a computer network.

Cloud Server

A cloud server is a virtual server (rather than a physical server) running in a cloud computing environment. It is built, hosted and delivered via a cloud computing platform via the internet, and can be accessed remotely.

Dropbox

Dropbox is a file hosting service operated by the American company Dropbox, Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, California, that offers cloud storage, file synchronization, personal cloud.

Chapter Five

5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

Introduction

This chapter focuses on summary, conclusion and recommendations.

Here, the entire summary of the research from the problem stage to the implementation stage, the relevant conclusion and recommendations are discussed.

5.1 Constraints of the Study

The problems encountered during the course of carrying out this research project include:

1. Time:

Time for the research project was too short coupled with researcher’s academic time table.

2. Fund:

There was limited fund to take care of the research properly in terms of transportation and other expenses especially when visiting attraction sites.

3. Research Materials:

Lack of access to research materials on the topic in the school library and even public libraries were also major constraint in the cause of this project.

4. Web Based Presentation System:

Access to existing recycle bin system pose a great challenge as industries and other business around were a bit discrete with their manual recycle system.

5.2 Summary

Implementation of a Cloud based File Sharing system that would enable users to upload and share files through a link that is automatically created by the system.

The existing method of sharing files neither storing files has been eliminated by the system. The new system would be very easy to use because of its accuracy and reliability. Information about the users and his mode of uploading and sharing file for a particular period of time can be promptly assessed easily.

5.3 Conclusion

Accessing, running and sharing applications and data at present face many challenges. Cloud based file sharing technologies have the potential to simplify or eliminate many of these challenges. Cloud based file sharing technologies provide a means for easily sharing applications and data. Now a day’s people want to be connected 24×7 to the world around them. Networking and Communication have come together to make the world a small place to live in. People want to be in constant touch with their subordinates where ever they are and avail emergency services whenever needed. In this paper we present an on-line/on-demand interactive application service (Software as a Service). The service is built on a cloud computing basement that provisions virtualized application servers based on user demand. An open source file sharing platform is leveraged to establish a portal front-end that enables applications and results to be easily shared between users. In the proposed system users can access the documents uploaded into the cloud by others and provide any data they have in hand to other users through the same cloud. This also allows the users to have an interactive session through the chat screens present in the cloud. The paper also highlights some major security issues existing in current cloud computing environment.

5.4 Recommendations

Having designed, tested and implemented the new system, the following must be put in place to fully achieve the objective of which the software is designed.