In traditional storage networks, reliability comes at a steep cost. Files are copied again and again across multiple nodes to prevent data loss. While this method works, it is highly inefficient—requiring massive amounts of storage and bandwidth. The system becomes slow, expensive, and difficult to scale, especially as more users join the network.
Walrus takes a smarter approach. Its 2D erasure coding system, Red Stuff, breaks data into pieces that can be rebuilt quickly if some nodes fail. These pieces, called slivers, are distributed across nodes so that any valid combination can reconstruct the original file. This method ensures maximum resilience with minimal redundancy, saving storage space while keeping data safe.
Unlike conventional networks that re-download entire files during node failures, Walrus uses self-healing recovery. Only the missing pieces are repaired, saving bandwidth, speeding up recovery, and keeping the network efficient—even in environments with frequent node churn.
Security is enforced through asynchronous challenges, which require nodes to prove they actually store the data, even when the network is slow or delayed. Honest nodes are rewarded, while cheaters are caught, keeping the system trustworthy.
Finally, Walrus uses Point of Availability (PoA)—an on-chain proof confirming that data is safely stored. Once PoA is reached, users and applications can trust their files will remain accessible without relying on centralized servers. By replacing mindless copies with intelligent coding, Walrus delivers scalable, secure, and reliable decentralized storage.
