Problem Statement
Design a secure document vault product, akin to a cloud repository for sensitive files. The system must enable authenticated users to upload, store, and retrieve documents, while rigorously enforcing authorization rules.
Core Functionality
- Upload: Allow authenticated users to upload documents.
- Store: Securely store documents.
- Retrieve: Allow authenticated users to retrieve documents.
- Authorization: Enforce strong access control and permission checks for all operations.
Key Considerations & Discussion Points
- Scalability: Address how the system will scale with increasing file count and traffic.
- Large File Handling: Detail strategies for managing very large file uploads efficiently.
- Integrity Verification for Chunked Uploads: If files are uploaded to object storage (e.g., S3) in multiple chunks, describe how the system will verify that each uploaded chunk genuinely belongs to the intended file and authorized user, preventing malicious clients from uploading arbitrary data.
- Architectural Components: Discuss the design of APIs, metadata storage, authentication and authorization mechanisms, upload workflows, and operational concerns.
AI interview prep
Core dilemma
Balancing robust security and data integrity (especially for chunked uploads) with high scalability, performance, and cost-efficiency for a large volume of sensitive files and users.
3 tradeoffs and 3 stress tests locked
Interview prep
Unlock the interviewer X-Ray rubric, tradeoff matrix, stress tests, clarifying questions, and key concepts.
Problem Statement
Design a secure document vault product, akin to a cloud repository for sensitive files. The system must enable authenticated users to upload, store, and retrieve documents, while rigorously enforcing authorization rules.
Core Functionality
- Upload: Allow authenticated users to upload documents.
- Store: Securely store documents.
- Retrieve: Allow authenticated users to retrieve documents.
- Authorization: Enforce strong access control and permission checks for all operations.
Key Considerations & Discussion Points
- Scalability: Address how the system will scale with increasing file count and traffic.
- Large File Handling: Detail strategies for managing very large file uploads efficiently.
- Integrity Verification for Chunked Uploads: If files are uploaded to object storage (e.g., S3) in multiple chunks, describe how the system will verify that each uploaded chunk genuinely belongs to the intended file and authorized user, preventing malicious clients from uploading arbitrary data.
- Architectural Components: Discuss the design of APIs, metadata storage, authentication and authorization mechanisms, upload workflows, and operational concerns.