InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) Tutorial - Building the Distributed Web

The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a new internet protocol that aims to upgrade the web and replace HTTP. In this IPFS tutorial, we discuss the reasons why we need a new internet protocol and walk through how the IPFS creates a distributed, peer-to-peer network with content-based addressing that makes the web faster, more resilient, and permanent.

Watch this video to learn:

- The disadvantages of the current internet protocol
- What the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is and how it works
- How the IPFS can solve the problems the current internet protocol presents

[EvanKotler]

This is only the beginning. IPFS protocol will become the norm.

[pankajsinghv]

Excellent video. It explains IPFS in a very simple to understand manner. Thanks for sharing.

[robinb]

hi, nice video! i do have some questions though:

1. when you add files, for example your cat pictures: will the ipfs system automatically duplicate them across nodes? I mean once added, can you delete the content from your own server to make it server free? or do you advice to always keep them on your original server as that will be the main “backup” in case none of the nodes made a backup?

2. is it possible to delete something fully from ipfs? this will be of high importance. for example lets say im a prostitute and i design a hash based website. then after a whil i stop, and a while later i become director of a major company. with current models i would delete my website and delete all references to it, which is already prety hard. but i can imagine ipfs, with all his nodes, makes it almost impossible to delete it all...which in this case can seriously hurt someone.

in 90% of all cases when someone removes things from the internet, its for a good reason. i think its highly damaging to make deletion of content impossible. and what do you think happens when people add illegal stuff like kiddie xxx. if it cant be deleted it will be available all the time by everyone.. and people will never be able to get caught if done right..

3. you gave the example of egypt: the government cutting down cables so internet to outside world gets shut down. but even with ipfs, if all connections to outside world are shut down, it would have the same result... i mean only nodes from within the country would be available, which kinda makes no difference. right?

4. how about privacy? i have read somewhere that nodes can be tracked based on their hash. so lets say i add an anti government video from russia. although it is decentralised, as nodes can be traced and locations can be pinpointed its prety easy for a government to locate the nodes and shut them down....that wouldnt be much different then closing down a centralized server. offcourse when nodes are located across the world it would be a bit harder but still...

5. what exactly is a node. is that a users computer? for example lets say if i add a video to ipfs. if another user watches it will it automatically become a node (as long as its computer is on and internet is on)? if so, do people get a change to approve or dissapprove becoming a node?

[StuxNETozor]

Glad to see that many women at and IT masterclass

[rickflare]

Great clear video ipfs, you are a good teacher.

[areaka]

How would IPFS fair any better than HTTP if/when a country decides to shut down the few, centralized service providers?

[sathishgunasekaran]

Very good and simple explanations. Great

[leberkassemmel]

I wonder how the system deals with hash collisions. If I understand it right, I will get the file from the closest/fastest/? Node, but it might not be what I wanted. Great!

[shepardskywalker]

But what if you are trying to host more than a picture. Lets say a game server website, would this still work?

[Lovewheremystorybegins]

it would better if we use hash value is a hash format (instead of 123, 321...)