What is InterPlanetary File System (IPFS)
IPFS, or InterPlanetary File System, is a dezentralized, peer-to-peer network for storing and sharing files.
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🕒 9:35 PM
📅 Apr 17, 2025
✍️ By andreasvy21
IPFS, or InterPlanetary File System, is a decentralized, peer-to-peer network for storing and sharing files. Unlike the traditional internet which relies on centralized servers, IPFS distributes data across a network of nodes, making it more resilient and resistant to censorship. It's designed to be a more efficient and reliable way to store and retrieve data, especially for applications like blockchain and Web3.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Decentralized Storage:
IPFS stores data across a network of computers (nodes) instead of relying on a single server, making it more resilient to failure and censorship.
Peer-to-Peer Network:
IPFS uses a peer-to-peer architecture, meaning that any node on the network can store and share data, making it easier for anyone to contribute to the network.
Content Addressing:
IPFS uses content addressing, which means that each file is identified by a unique hash (a fingerprint) of its content, rather than its location. This ensures that if a file is stored on multiple nodes, it can be retrieved from any of them using its content address.
Immutability:
Once a file is stored on IPFS, it cannot be changed or altered, ensuring data integrity.
Applications:
IPFS is commonly used in blockchain development, where it's used to store large files off-chain and provide immutable links to those files, as well as in Web3 projects for decentralized storage and content delivery.
Complement to Blockchain:
IPFS complements blockchain technology by providing a way to store large files and content off-chain, reducing the cost and complexity of storing them on the blockchain.
Benefits:
IPFS offers several benefits, including increased resilience, censorship resistance, and the ability to create more resilient and decentralized applications.