PI-Box: Local Network Based Storage System

In today’s hyper-connected world, individuals constantly generate and rely upon personal data documents, media, credentials, and records that often end up entrusted to third-party cloud providers. While convenient, this reliance surrenders both privacy and control, exposing users to risks of data breaches, surveillance, and lock-in. Pi-Box proposes an alternative approach: a decentralized, zero-trust personal storage platform built upon a Raspberry Pi micro-computer and the encrypted mesh capabilities of Tailscale. Unlike conventional storage services, Pi-Box operates entirely under the user’s control, forming a private, peer-to-peer network that allows secure file storage and access from any device, anywhere, without centralized infrastructure. The system integrates a lightweight Node.js–based web dashboard, local AES-256 encryption, and automated network discovery through Tailscale’s WireGuard engine. Data never leaves the owner’s possession; access occurs only through authenticated peers within the encrypted mesh. Evaluation demonstrates that Pi-Box delivers low-latency access, strong security, and exceptional ease of deployment, proving that private, infrastructure-free storage is achievable for ordinary individuals without compromising mobility or usability.