The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a protocol and network designed to create a distributed system for storing and sharing hypermedia content on the internet. It aims to replace the traditional client-server model with a peer-to-peer model, where files are stored and distributed across a decentralized network of computers. IPFS uses content-addressing to uniquely identify and retrieve files, making it more secure and efficient than traditional web protocols. It is often used for decentralized applications, file sharing, and content delivery networks.
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Google Gemini AI
Sep 24
InterPlanetary File System (IPFS)
IPFS is a distributed file system that aims to:
1. Decentralization: - Stores files across multiple nodes (peers) in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. - No single entity or server has full control over the data.
2. Immutability: - Files are given a unique cryptographic hash (CID) upon storage. - Once stored, files cannot be modified or deleted, ensuring data integrity and preservation.
3. Content-Addressable Storage: - Files are primarily identified by their content rather than their location. - This allows for efficient file retrieval and eliminates the need for directory structures.
4. Versioning: - IPFS automatically keeps track of different versions of files, allowing users to access previous versions as needed.
Architecture:
- Nodes: Devices or computers that store files and participate in the network. - Content Routing: Nodes use a distributed hash table (DHT) to locate and retrieve files based on their CID. - BitSwap: Nodes exchange blocks of files to complete downloads or uploads.
Benefits:
- Data resilience and reliability due to multiple copies of files across the network. - Censorship resistance, as no single entity can prevent access to files. - Increased data privacy through decentralized storage and content-addressing. - Improved content delivery performance through P2P file hosting.
Applications:
- Web3 and decentralized applications (dApps) - Data archival and preservation - File storage and sharing - Content distribution networks (CDNs) - Internet of Things (IoT) data management