A Comprehensive Survey on Blockchain-Based Decentralized Storage Networks

Blockchains are a new approach to creating distributed networks that were first introduced in 2008. It allows the formation of peer-to-peer networks based on consensus, forming chains from accepted blocks without requiring a central authority or centralized controller. A prominent application of this technology is its use in decentralized storage systems. Individuals in decentralized storage networks rent unused hardware storage space to other individuals. A decentralized network utilizing end-to-end encryption eliminates the risk of data loss associated with centralized data control by enabling clients to transmit their files securely. The storage providers must prove that they have kept unaltered files in this network for this time. Many studies have been conducted in this specific domain, most targeting storage capacity and efficiency, but a security, integrity and privacy loophole need to be addressed. This paper presents an overview of blockchain-based storage systems and how they work, followed by a comparison with cloud-based storage networks and a survey of various decentralized storage networks like SIA, File coin, and Storj available on the market. Next, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of blockchain-based storage. In our final discussion, we examine the security problems of decentralized storage networks and explore potential solutions and research directions for the future.