Cloud-Based File Storage System
A personal cloud drive built on object storage with deduplication, versioning and signed sharing links.
Project overview
A web application where users upload, organise and share files that are stored in cloud object storage rather than on the application server. Content-hash deduplication avoids storing the same file twice, and every overwrite creates a retrievable version.
The project demonstrates the practical difference between application storage and object storage — signed URLs, lifecycle rules, storage classes — which is exactly what a cloud computing panel wants to hear.
Problem statement
Storing user uploads on the application server does not survive redeployment, cannot scale horizontally, and makes the server responsible for bandwidth it should never handle.
Proposed solution
Keep only metadata in the database and put the objects in cloud storage, with uploads and downloads going directly between the browser and the storage service through short-lived signed URLs. Add deduplication by content hash and versioning through object keys.
Key features
- Direct browser-to-storage upload using pre-signed URLs
- Folder hierarchy with move, rename and recursive delete
- Content-hash deduplication across users
- File versioning with restore to a previous version
- Share links with expiry and optional password
- Storage quota per user with usage reporting
- Trash with a retention window before permanent deletion
Technology stack
Cloud
Backend
Front end
Operations
System architecture
The flow below is what goes into your architecture diagram and the corresponding chapter of the report.
- Client requests an upload URL; the API authorises and returns a pre-signed URL
- Browser uploads directly to object storage, bypassing the application server
- API records metadata, content hash, size and version on completion
- Deduplication check points a new metadata row at an existing object when hashes match
- Download requests return a short-lived signed URL scoped to one object
- Lifecycle rules move old versions to cheaper storage and purge expired trash
Expected output
- Working drive with upload, browse, share and restore
- Architecture diagram showing the signed URL flow
- Storage cost estimate at a stated volume using published pricing
- IAM policy documentation showing least privilege
Suitable branches, difficulty and duration
Documentation, review, demo and viva support
Documentation support
Abstract, problem statement, literature survey guidance, system architecture, ER and UML diagrams, module descriptions, test cases and screenshots — prepared in your department format.
Project review support
Delivery is split across your review calendar so review one has a design and plan, review two has working modules, and the final review has the integrated, tested system.
Demo support
A rehearsed demo path, seeded sample data, a reset script, and a recorded walkthrough kept as a backup in case something fails in the review room.
Viva preparation
A written question bank for this domain, a code walkthrough session, and practice at explaining each module in your own words — because the examiner will ask you.
Customisation options
Colleges reject duplicate topics, so most projects are adjusted before we start. These are the usual directions for this one.
- Add client-side encryption before upload for a security angle
- Add automatic image thumbnail generation through a storage trigger
- Add full-text search over uploaded documents
- Add team workspaces with shared folders and role-based permissions
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Enquire about the Cloud-Based File Storage System project
Send your branch, college and first review date. You will get confirmation of scope, what the customisation would look like, and a delivery plan mapped to your reviews.