Peer-to-Peer Data Networks and the InterPlanetary File System

Distributing data has always been a fundamental Internet use case. Today, the Internet is the primary channel for distributing media content, and many other types of data are increasingly managed online. This tendency has led to growing requirements regarding the quantity and quality of Internet technologies with which to manage distributed data. In addition, certain fundamental characteristics of Internet computing, such as location-based communication and centralized service provisioning, are being challenged. This chapter focuses on next-generation peer-to-peer (P2P) data networks that seek to solve some of these challenges and integrate well with other modern Internet technologies, including cloud computing, blockchains, and the Internet of Things. Beyond introducing the family of modern P2P data networks, this chapter presents a prime example of such networks—the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS)—in detail. It illustrates the technical realization of main IPFS characteristics like content addressing and decentralization. It also explains the Filecoin system, which extends the IPFS by means of a storage and retrieval market. The chapter covers a broad view of P2P data networks by outlining and comparing alternative approaches, listing open challenges, and explaining current research areas.