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How It Works

LabTrace combines traditional file management with blockchain technology to create a secure, verifiable, and immutable file storage system. Here’s how the platform works from a user perspective and technical standpoint.

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User Workflow

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1. Account Creation & Project Setup

1

User Registration

Users create accounts with email verification and secure authentication
2

Blockchain Address Generation

Each user automatically gets a unique Algorand blockchain address
3

Project Creation

Users can create projects or be invited to existing ones
4

File Management

Project leader and members can upload, download public files, download certificated, remove files and download IPFS metadata

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2. File Upload Process

1

File Selection

Users select files to upload through the web interface or SDK
2

Processing & Hashing

Files are processed, validated, and converted to content-addressed hashes (CID Content Identifier)
3

Metadata Creation

System generates JSON file with FileHash (and FileLinkS3 for public files only)
4

Storage Distribution

Public files: Original file stored in AWS S3 + JSON file on IPFS
Private files: JSON file stored on IPFS only
5

Blockchain Recording

File operations and JSON file CIDs are recorded on the Algorand blockchain for immutable proof of existence

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3. File Management

View & Download

Access files based on permissions, with full audit trail of all interactions

Share & Collaborate

Invite team members to projects

Verify Authenticity

Verify file integrity using blockchain records and cryptographic proofs

Track History

View complete history of file operations and modifications

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Technical Process Flow

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Core Principles

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Content-Addressed Storage

Files are identified by their content hash (CID), ensuring:
  • Deduplication: Identical files share the same storage
  • Integrity: Any modification changes the hash
  • Verification: Content can be verified against its address

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Blockchain Immutability

All file operations are recorded on Algorand blockchain:
  • Tamper-Proof: Records cannot be altered once confirmed
  • Timestamping: Exact time of operations is preserved
  • Proof of Existence: Cryptographic proof files existed at specific times

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Decentralized Storage

IPFS provides distributed file storage:
  • Redundancy: Files are replicated across multiple nodes
  • Availability: High uptime through distributed network
  • Scalability: Network grows with usage

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Security Model

  • Application-level authentication and authorization
  • Database encryption and access controls
  • Blockchain cryptographic security
  • IPFS content addressing and verification
  • Every operation is logged and timestamped
  • Blockchain provides immutable audit history
  • User actions are tracked and verifiable
  • Project-level activity monitoring

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Integration Points

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API Access

  • RESTful APIs for programmatic access
  • JWT authentication for secure API calls
  • Rate limiting and usage monitoring
  • Comprehensive error handling

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SDK Support

  • Python SDK for data science workflows
  • Command-line tools for automation
  • Webhook support for real-time updates

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Blockchain Verification

  • Public verification of file authenticity
  • Independent verification without platform access
  • Cryptographic proof generation
  • Third-party audit capabilities

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Benefits for Different Users

Researchers

Immutable data storage for research integrity and reproducibility

Legal Professionals

Tamper-proof document storage for legal proceedings

Healthcare

Secure patient data management with audit trails

Developers

APIs and SDKs for integrating blockchain verification into applications

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Scalability & Performance

  • Algorand Blockchain: High throughput with low latency
  • IPFS Distribution: Efficient content delivery through peer-to-peer network
  • AWS S3 Integration: Fast access to public files through global CDN
  • Caching Layers: Multiple caching strategies for optimal performance
  • Auto-scaling: Infrastructure scales based on demand

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Access Methods

LabTrace provides two main ways to interact with the platform:

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Web Interface

Dashboard

  • Project Management: Create and manage projects
  • File Operations: Upload, download, and manage files
  • Team Collaboration: Invite and manage team members
  • Visual Interface: User-friendly web-based interface

Features

  • Drag & Drop: Easy file uploads
  • Real-time Updates: Live status updates
  • Certificate Generation: Download blockchain certificates
  • File Verification: Verify file authenticity

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Python SDK

Programmatic Access

  • Automation: Integrate with existing workflows
  • Batch Operations: Process multiple files at once
  • API Integration: Full API access through Python
  • Custom Applications: Build custom solutions

SDK Features

  • Simple Installation: pip install -e .
  • Full API Coverage: All operations supported
  • Error Handling: Comprehensive error management
  • Documentation: Well-documented methods

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Example SDK Usage

from labtrace import Client

# Initialize client
## LOGIN
username = ''
password = ''
labtrace_client = Client(username, password)

# Upload a primary file
file_id = labtrace_client.upload_public_file(
    project_id="project-123",
    content=file_content,
    file_type="primary",
    name="file_name",
    label="label", # optional
)

# Get project files
public_files = labtrace_client.get_public_project_files("project-123")
private_files = labtrace_client.get_private_project_files("project-123")

# Download a file
labtrace_client.get_public_file("project-123", file_id, "download-path")
Unified Experience: Both web interface and SDK provide access to the same underlying functionality, ensuring consistency across all access methods.