The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a peer-to-peer distributed file system designed to connect all computing devices with a shared system of files. It combines elements from various successful systems, including distributed hash tables (DHTs), BitTorrent, version control systems like Git, and self-certified file systems (SFS). IPFS aims to provide a high-throughput content-addressed block storage model with content-addressed hyperlinks, forming a generalized Merkle DAG. This structure supports versioning, blockchains, and a Permanent Web. Key features of IPFS include: - **DHTs**: Used for coordinating metadata and maintaining peer connections. - **BitTorrent-inspired Block Exchange**: Facilitates efficient data distribution and incentivizes nodes to share and seed content. - **Version Control Systems**: Enabling efficient management of file changes and versions. - **Self-Certified Filesystems**: Ensuring secure and egalitarian access to global namespaces. IPFS nodes are identified by cryptographic hashes of public keys and communicate via a network stack that includes transport, reliability, connectivity, integrity, and authenticity checks. The system uses a distributed hash table (DHT) based on S/Kademlia and Coral, which allows for efficient peer discovery and data retrieval. The BitSwap protocol enables nodes to exchange blocks, incentivizing both seeding and leeching behaviors. The IPFS Object format includes links and data fields, allowing for flexible data structures such as key-value stores, relational databases, and blockchain models. IPFS supports object-level cryptography, enabling secure and encrypted data handling. It also provides a versioned filesystem model similar to Git, with objects like blobs, lists, trees, and commits. IPFS introduces IPNS (InterPlanetary Name System) for mutable naming, allowing users to create and manage namespaces. It also includes techniques for human-friendly names, such as peer links, DNS TXT IPNS records, Proquint pronunciable identifiers, and name shortening services. IPFS is designed to be used in various ways, including as a global, mounted, versioned filesystem, an encrypted CDN, and a web CDN. It aims to push the web to new horizons, ensuring that valuable information is hosted by those interested and that old but important files do not go missing.The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a peer-to-peer distributed file system designed to connect all computing devices with a shared system of files. It combines elements from various successful systems, including distributed hash tables (DHTs), BitTorrent, version control systems like Git, and self-certified file systems (SFS). IPFS aims to provide a high-throughput content-addressed block storage model with content-addressed hyperlinks, forming a generalized Merkle DAG. This structure supports versioning, blockchains, and a Permanent Web. Key features of IPFS include: - **DHTs**: Used for coordinating metadata and maintaining peer connections. - **BitTorrent-inspired Block Exchange**: Facilitates efficient data distribution and incentivizes nodes to share and seed content. - **Version Control Systems**: Enabling efficient management of file changes and versions. - **Self-Certified Filesystems**: Ensuring secure and egalitarian access to global namespaces. IPFS nodes are identified by cryptographic hashes of public keys and communicate via a network stack that includes transport, reliability, connectivity, integrity, and authenticity checks. The system uses a distributed hash table (DHT) based on S/Kademlia and Coral, which allows for efficient peer discovery and data retrieval. The BitSwap protocol enables nodes to exchange blocks, incentivizing both seeding and leeching behaviors. The IPFS Object format includes links and data fields, allowing for flexible data structures such as key-value stores, relational databases, and blockchain models. IPFS supports object-level cryptography, enabling secure and encrypted data handling. It also provides a versioned filesystem model similar to Git, with objects like blobs, lists, trees, and commits. IPFS introduces IPNS (InterPlanetary Name System) for mutable naming, allowing users to create and manage namespaces. It also includes techniques for human-friendly names, such as peer links, DNS TXT IPNS records, Proquint pronunciable identifiers, and name shortening services. IPFS is designed to be used in various ways, including as a global, mounted, versioned filesystem, an encrypted CDN, and a web CDN. It aims to push the web to new horizons, ensuring that valuable information is hosted by those interested and that old but important files do not go missing.