The IPFS protocol is a very big technological step that will change the working principles of servers and internet networks. It has some differences from the centralized and decentralized network architectures that you already know (or interact with daily even if you don't). It is a project that has accomplished great things in terms of security and error-free operation and continues to evolve. But what exactly is it?

What Is IPFS?

IPFS, or the InterPlanetary File System, is a protocol and peer-to-peer network for both storing and sharing data in a distributed file system. It's like HTTP, except built more like BitTorrent. IPFS allows for addressing content (retrieving a file based on its content, rather than its name or location) on the network and sharing with end-to-end communication. The initial design of the project belongs to Juan Benet. IPFS is open source and has a strong community.

Bitcoin had a huge impact on the emergence of IPFS. Design features such as network architecture on data storage, deletion of repeated records, and addressing of nodes connected to the network have emerged from Bitcoin's Blockchain protocol. In addition, GIT (Version Control System) and Torrent technologies have also come together in IPFS technology.

What Is the Purpose of IPFS?

The IPFS mission is to create a perpetual web, and to do so by replacing HTTP. IPFS has evolved as a solution to restrictions in the physical way the web is currently designed. To grasp this better, consider some characteristics of today's web.

Today’s Web Infrastructure

If you examine the physical landscape of today's web, its topology, you can better see the differences from IPFS. First, consider two approaches to designing the web: a centralized architecture network and a decentralized architectural network.

In centralized architecture networks, there is only one server. Such networks have various scalability problems, and there are other problems like having a single point of failure. This problem means that all functionality is lost if the server goes down. Centralized architectural networks can also exhibit poor working performance.

In contrast, decentralized architectural networks use a completely different system that is scalable and works with multiple servers. It outperforms centralized designs in terms of efficiency, and has a much better error management mechanism in case of errors and system problems. But to achieve all this can require high costs.

IPFS' Different Approach

If you examine the IPFS topology, you will encounter a fully distributed architecture. They have nodes that can handle both server and client operations. That's why they work very efficiently. To understand this more easily, check out the diagram below:

comparing distribution networks

With today's HTTP web technology, you can see that a centralized structure is less efficient. A distributed architecture is more efficient, but with HTTP-based web technology, the costs increase too quickly.

IPFS offers a solution. With HTTP you can ask what is in a certain location (such as a web address), but with IPFS you can ask where a certain file is (such as on a nearby computer).

Let's clarify this with an example. Say you are taking a course at the university with 100 people when your teacher shares a web link with you. When 100 students want to access this web server, 100 different requests go to the server. In response, 100 responses come from the server. This is not an ideal method in terms of efficiency. In addition, this process becomes more complicated for HTTP when there is a server-side issue (such as data deletion, an ISP-side communication issue, or country-based content blocking).

Now let's consider this example utilizing IPFS. But first, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how IPFS works. Say the HTTP link in the previous example was http://196.224.181.175/folder/data.txt. A comparable IPFS link would be in a structure like /ipfs/WhsYEWbqs0R/folder/file.txt.

You install special software to access the /ipfs architecture. After installation, you can visit the filesystem as if there was a virtual disk or as if you were accessing an HTTP web address.

When the teacher distributes the link to the students, the students who send the request will be able to receive the data according to their proximity to other people who have requested it before. If you're concerned about data integrity, there are cryptology techniques (taking the hash of the data) to verify that you're receiving the correct file .

In other words, it is possible to obtain the data you want by connecting to someone who has previously obtained it from the central server, without damaging the integrity of the data. At this point, IPFS uses torrent technology.

IPFS and Blockchains

IPFS has structural similarities with blockchains. For this reason, IPFS and blockchains can work together successfully. Juan Benet, the inventor of IPFS, calls the interoperability of Blockchain and IPFS a perfect marriage. Founded by Juan Benet, Protocol Labs currently hosts the development of several projects besides IPFS.

One of the initiatives of Protocol Labs is the IPLD (Inter Planetary Linked Data) project. With this project, Bitcoin and Ethereum chains are transferred to the IPFS distributed network. It is possible to store many more Blockchain architectures in the IPFS network with this protocol.

One of the goals here is to ensure the security of blockchains. Another purpose is to reach different users who will ensure that this data continues to exist on the network. They do this by rewarding users who store data on the network with an alternative crypto coin called Filecoin.

filecoin rewarding users who store data on the network

The Future of IPFS

IPFS seems to affect future internet usage in many ways. It continues to develop at a very fast pace and its use is increasing day by day. IPFS is becoming more common in applications that require data storage, file sharing or high-level security.

IPFS, uses many servers and nodes from around the world to store files and data. When any of these servers or nodes is damaged, the others will close the gap, and you will be able to recover the system.

In this world where millions of data are born every minute, keeping these data and ensuring their security evolves with technologies such as IPFS. Distributed and decentralized architectures seem poised to take over many areas in the future.