Distributed cloud storage

Abstract

Distributed cloud-based data storage divides a file for storage into a number of portions that are separately stored with two or more storage service providers. The division and/or transmission of the file may be implemented based on arbitrary criteria, including random selection, an applied storage policy or assignment of a given portion to a corresponding storage service provider as examples. One or more portions of the file may be assembled into an upload file that is transmitted to and received from a storage provider. The portions of the file received from the storage provider may be used to reconstruct the file.

1 . A method for storing distributed data, comprising:
 dividing a set of data into at least a first portion and at least a second portion;   transmitting the at least first portion to a first storage service provider; and   transmitting the at least second portion to a second storage service provider.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising dividing the set of data in accordance with a criteria. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the criteria is one or more of a format, a sequence or an algorithm. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the criteria is random selection. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the criteria is based on assignment to the first storage service provider or to the second storage service provider. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the criteria is based on a sequence of service providers that includes the first storage service provider and the second storage service provider. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the sequence of service providers is randomly selected. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 arranging the at least first portion in a first file;   arranging the at least second portion in a second file;   transmitting the first file to the first storage service provider; and   transmitting the second file to the second storage service provider.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising forming a key file that indicates how the set of data is divided into the at least first portion and the at least second portion. 
     
     
         10 . A method for retrieving distributed data, comprising:
 receiving a first file from a first storage service provider;   receiving a second file from a second storage service provider;   extracting a first portion of a data set from the first file;   extracting a second portion of the data set from the second file; and   reconstructing the data set using the first portion and the second portion.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising reconstructing the data set in accordance with a criteria. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the criteria is one or more of a format, a sequence or an algorithm. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising obtaining the criteria from a key file that indicates how the data set is to be reconstructed. 
     
     
         14 . A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising machine-readable instructions configured to be executed by a machine to cause the machine to:
 divide a set of data into at least a first portion and at least a second portion;   transmit the at least first portion to a first storage service provider;   transmit the at least second portion to a second storage service provider;   receive the at least first portion from the first storage service provider;   receive the at least second portion from the second storage service provider; and   reconstruct the set of data using the first portion and the second portion.   
     
     
         15 . The medium according to  claim 14 , further comprising instructions to divide or reconstruct the set of data in accordance with a criteria. 
     
     
         16 . The medium according to  claim 15 , wherein the criteria is one or more of a format, a sequence or an algorithm. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the criteria is based on assignment to the first storage service provider or to the second storage service provider. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the criteria is based on a sequence of service providers that includes the first storage service provider and the second storage service provider. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising instructions to form a key file that indicates how the set of data is divided into the at least first portion and the at least second portion. 
     
     
         20 . A method for implementing a storage policy in a distributed storage arrangement, comprising:
 configuring parameters of the storage policy for storage of a file;   receiving an indicia to apply the storage policy to the file;   dividing the file into at least a first portion and at least a second portion in accordance with the storage policy; and   transmitting the at least first portion or the at least second portion to a storage service provider in accordance with the storage policy.