xlm.sh

Appearance

What is IPFS/IPNS ​

Explore the decentralized protocols that are redefining data storage and retrieval on the web.

IPFS: A New Way to Store and Access Files ​

IPFS fundamentally changes how we store and access files online, moving away from centralized servers toward a distributed network. Key concepts include:

  • Content Addressing: IPFS identifies files by their content, not their location. Each file gets a unique cryptographic hash (a "fingerprint") based on its content. Changing the file creates a new hash, essentially a new address. This ensures content integrity.
  • Decentralization: Data is distributed across a network of computers, eliminating single points of failure and censorship. This increases data availability and resilience.
  • Efficiency: Resources are shared across the network, leading to faster and more cost-effective data storage and retrieval.

IPNS: Naming in the Decentralized Web ​

While IPFS provides decentralized storage, IPNS offers a way to easily update and find the latest content.

  • Persistent Links: With IPNS, you can update content without breaking existing links. It acts as a dynamic pointer to the latest version of your content stored on IPFS. This solves the issue of IPFS content hashes being immutable, allowing for content updates.
  • Version Control: Maintain the most up-to-date version of your content while preserving historical changes. IPNS lets you track modifications and access previous versions, which is useful for content management and rollbacks.
  • Secured Updates: Only authorized users (those with the corresponding private key) can update the content linked by an IPNS record, ensuring data integrity and preventing unauthorized modifications.

The Combined Power of IPFS and IPNS ​

Together, IPFS and IPNS empower users to control their online data, from blogs and websites to dynamic applications.

  • Simplified Access: Services like xlm.sh with their .xlm domains make accessing decentralized content as easy as browsing the regular web. These services map human-readable domain names to IPNS records, further simplifying the user experience.
  • Reliable Content Sharing: Share content knowing it's secure, tamper-proof, and always accessible on the network. IPFS's distributed nature ensures content availability even if some nodes are offline.
  • Dynamic Content Management: IPNS is ideal for frequently updated content, allowing seamless updates without broken links. This is useful for websites, applications, and data storage that require frequent updates.

Conclusion ​

IPNS and IPFS are building blocks for a future web where users control their data and benefit from resilient, efficient content access. These protocols enable a more secure, censorship-resistant, and user-centric online experience.