InterPlanetary FileSystem (IPFS)
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IPFS is a protocol and peer-to-peer network for storing and sharing data in a distributed file system. Unlike the current system, most websites and applications rely on centralized solutions like Amazon, Google or Microsoft.
IPFS tries to solve for decentralized by being P2P, allowing resilience and making it harder to censor content. It can also speed up the web when you're far away or disconnected. It also uses content addressing, storing data by its content and not by its location.
When you add a file to IPFS, your file is split into smaller chunks, cryptographically hashed, and given a unique fingerprint called a content identifier (CID). This CID acts as a permanent record of your file as it exists at that point in time.
When other nodes look up your file, they ask their peer nodes who's storing the content referenced by the file's CID. When they view or download your file, they cache a copy â and become another provider of your content until their cache is cleared.
If you are new to IPFS hosting, feel free to check out the official IPFS guide on how to host a static website with IPFS .