IPFS (Interplanetary File System) is essentially a file system that allows you to store files and track versions over time, much like Git, keeping track of them on a distributed network, somewhat like BitTorrent.
This storage system allows direct interaction through a secure and global P2P network. By combining these two properties, IPFS enables a permanent new web and augments the way we use existing internet protocols like HTTP.
Since its introduction in 2016, IPFS has seen great improvements and adoption by both individuals and business organizations. This system allows users to share files and information without barriers. IPFS works well with large files that can consume or require high bandwidth to upload and / or download over the Internet. The rapid adoption of this distributed file system happened in part because IPFS is designed to operate over different protocols, such as FTP and HTTP. To store data, IPFS uses a DHT or distributed hash table. Once we have a hash, we ask the peer network who has the content located in that hash, and we download the content directly from the node that has the data I want.
Distributed hash tables
The core idea that the developers built IPFS with, is to model all the data as part of the Merkle DAG itself. However, the popularity and effectiveness of IPFS as a distributed file system also creates security and access control concerns. In a distributed network like IPFS, when an object is loaded onto the network, anyone who has access to the file’s hash address can access its content
IPFS and Blockchains
Blockchain is a decentralized data management platform that provides immutability, therefore it is a good choice to support file traceability metadata on a distributed file system like IPFS. We can say that thanks to the great similarity IFPS is the best friend of blockchain.
At iCommunity we use IPFS, in order to have a storage system that cannot be altered by one of the parties without the authorization of all the others, and does not have a single point of failure. IPFS assures us that the data included in this network are unique (they are uniquely identified by an identifier) and are protected against modifications, making this data immutable. In the event that this data is changed, a new “hash” identifier is generated, which would not coincide with the one stored in the blockchain for the recorded data.
We generally distinguish two categories of blockchains: permissionless and permissionless. A permissionless blockchain (eg Ethereum, Bitcoin) is open to the public, and each transaction must be validated by all or most participants While only authenticated users can join a blockchain (eg Hyperledger Fabric ), validation in this type of blockchain is done only by preselected nodes. Therefore, it generally achieves higher performance than public blockchains.
Due to the similarity in their structure, IPFS and blockchains can work well together. IPFS would connect all these different blockchains in a similar way to how the internet connects all websites. Just as we can link one page with another through a link, a link can be placed in Ethereum that links it to another network, for example.
Generally speaking, the future of IPFS and blockchain is closely related. Everything indicates that both technologies will serve to consolidate the engine of decentralized finance and applications.
Use cases
The benefits of IPFS are revolutionizing the current technology sector, causing large companies to implement it in their processes. Netflix, Opera or Chrome are some companies that rely on this technology. But what does it really mean that we can safely store data on a distributed network? It means that we can optimize and improve the operation of all the processes that happen on the internet.
- End of “servers” hosting websites. All content will be delivered from IPFS and data will be pulled directly from the blockchain.
- End of web registrations to obtain accounts. Your private key will grant permission and access to your identity to websites / providers.
- Direct communication with other people without intermediaries. Truly secure, private and uncensored communication applications.
- Social networks where your information is only available to those to whom you give permission.
Within these use cases, we can highlight several companies that are implementing them effectively:
- Cloudflare, runs a distributed web gateway to speed up and secure access to IPFS without the need for a local node.
- Microsoft ION, The digital identity system is built on Bitcoin and IPFS and its objective is to build a technology that allows creating a secure and scalable digital identity system at a global level.
- Brave, the search engine uses Origin Protocol and IPFS to host its decentralized merchandise store.
- Opera para Android has default support for IPFS, allowing mobile users to navigate ipfs: // links to access data on the IPFS network.
- Wikipedia uso IPFS They have developed a mirror of their website, which allows them to access Wikipedia from jurisdictions where it is censored.
- Filecoin, uses IPFS to create a cooperative storage cloud based on IPFS.
Do you have a business? Would you like to validate the potential of blockchain to make it more profitable and efficient?
At iCommunity, we know that the key is not to invest to invest in revolutionary systems, but to study in depth the needs of companies, assess the possibilities and evaluate the return that each innovation will have.
Our solutions provide real benefits, which can boost your company by making it more profitable and competitive.
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