Overview
IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) is a peer-to-peer, content-addressed network designed for storing and sharing data in a distributed manner. Unlike HTTP, which retrieves files based on location, IPFS uses content addressing. Each file and all of the blocks within it are given a unique cryptographic hash called a CID (Content Identifier). This CID becomes a permanent address for the content. IPFS stores data across multiple nodes, ensuring resilience against outages and censorship. It uses Libp2p for peer-to-peer networking and IPLD (InterPlanetary Linked Data) to organize data. Use cases include censorship-resistant archives, decentralized web hosting, scientific research collaboration, and NFT storage. IPFS's architecture facilitates efficient distribution and verifiable data integrity, making it a foundational technology for Web3 and decentralized applications.