ChatterBox vs Meshtastic: Data Storage

ChatterBox

Distributed Packet Cache

The ChatterBox distributed packet cache is something all ChatterBox devices in a given cluster or channel participate in. A portion of each device’s storage is available for encrypted packets intended for other trusted devices.

The packet cache is decentralized across all devices, and contains both symmetrically and asymmetrically encrypted packet data (ECDSA validated).

This packet cache, in combination with smart mesh path planning, is what helps to deliver data and messages between devices in the cluster / channel.

Encrypted Device Storage

Any potentially sensitive data is encrypted at rest, using a password if you set one, or a generated device-specific key if you do not. You can set a password any time.

SD Cards

  • Treat your SD card like a SIM card. Transfer it to a different communicator to instantly have all your cluster settings, keys, and messages on that new communicator.

  • Enables multiple people to share T-Decks easily. Just power the device off, swap SD cards, and power it back on.

  • Enable easy backups. Back up your SD card to another SD card or hard drive, roll back to the backup if you lose or break a device.

Flash

  • For devices that have flash storage (all Lilygo and Heltec devices do)

  • The data stored on the device flash is still encrypted in exactly the same manner.

  • Less ideal for communicators, as you can’t easily backup or transfer to another communicator

FRAM

  • Requires significantly less memory (SAMD51, for instance)

  • Uses less power than SD cards, so it can be better for battery life

  • Due to inability to back up easily, it is only used in specific cases

Meshtastic

This information is a work in progress and requires further research…

The Meshtastic mobile app stores most data in mobile phone storage, similar to any other mobile phone app.

Nodes generally store message data in memory, losing it if the device powers off.

A “store and forward” module can be included with nodes, enabling them to persist some data.

Other modules can store certain data in CSV files.

Whether and how any stored data is encrypted at rest is unclear.