Introduction to IPFS
IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) is a peer-to-peer protocol and network designed to create a decentralised method of storing and sharing files.
Unlike the traditional client-server model of the internet, IPFS allows users to share files directly with each other, rather than relying on a centralised server to store and distribute content.
Files in IPFS are addressed using content-addressing, meaning each file is given a unique hash or CONTENT IDENTIFIER (CID) based on its content, and this hash is used to retrieve the file from the network.
When a user adds a file to IPFS, the file is broken up into small pieces called blocks, and each block is given a CID. These blocks are then stored on different nodes in the network, so that the file can be easily retrieved from multiple sources.
This ensures redundancy and fault-tolerance while also making it difficult for any one node to become a single point of failure or control.
Read: An Introduction to IPFS
Creating your Site
For this example we are creating a simple website.
Step 1: If you are unfamiliar with web design write the main content for your website including Title, Main Body of text, with links to other pages/site & footers.
Step 2: Use a HTML template! Paste the text you have written accordingly. Optional to also create a .CSS stylesheet for your website.
Step 3: Save your directory. All .html pages + images must be in the same Folder.
Setting up a Node
Download and install IPFS from the Official website.
Initialise IPFS:
If you’re using the Desktop Application you will not have to initialise.
Using a Terminal or command prompt, Run command: ipfs init .
Add Site Folder to IPFS:
Select the folder with your website files and navigate to the Add Folder option.
–
If using Terminal, Run command: ipfs add -r “folder_name” to add the entire folder recursively to IPFS.
Pin Site on IPFS:
Once your website files are added to IPFS, you need to pin them to ensure they remain available on the network.
–
If using Terminal, Run command: If using Terminal, Run command: ipfs pin add “hash”
“hash” = CID of the folder you added in the previous step.
It saves a lot of time!
–
Access your website on IPFS:
Your website is now published on IPFS and can be accessed using the hash of the folder. To access your website, you can visit https://ipfs.io/ipfs/“hash”
“hash” = CID of the folder.
In our case the CID = “QmW2UEfap1vrRRvS5H9wed8qmsx4WsvXBk3GPGVVfWx3r3”
IPNS
Interplanetary Naming System (IPNS) allows you to update the IPFS CID’s associated with your website and still serve a static link. It is provided as a key.
In the settings menu for your site folder on IPFS desktop application select Publish to IPNS.
Key: “k51qzi5uqu5di670a6uxywo17b2be1eyhoa2cl0qlwpfxn5p9ypcu8jbzgnj4n”
It can also be used to view our site via a gateway: https://ipfs.io/ipns/k51qzi5uqu5di670a6uxywo17b2be1eyhoa2cl0qlwpfxn5p9ypcu8jbzgnj4n
DNS Link
The site has been created, now we need a way to point a URL to the content.
If you already own a web address you are able to add a new record using the TXT record "_dnslink(your domain)". Depending on provider it may auto populate.
It will take time to propagate through the network before you can view it.
Congratulations! You now have a censorship resistant website.
____
Resources