Store Files

What is the next step to store my files on IPFS and Filecoin?

If you want copies of your files stored (pinned) around the globe, and want to get started right away, the next step is to fill out the free inquiry at Filecoin.io. Storage costs are 90% less than AWS, so hop onto web3 now and reach out to Filecoin.io. If you have any questions, you can also send us a message as well. We are here to support the greater ecosystem.

If you also want to understand how IPFS works, simply download the open source software powering IPFS at IPFS.tech. It’s free, you don’t need technical expertise, and it takes less than 2 minutes to complete the task.  Once the application is downloaded, you simply upload a file you want to store per the simple instructions displayed on the screen. You will get a  CID (Content Identifier) for that file. That’s it! Your file is now stored on the IPFS network. IPFS is “content based” not “location based” (scroll down for more on what this means). You can then pin your file to additional locations such as free to use NFT.storage or Pinanta.cloud,, which offers free limited storage.

Remember, Filecoin is a distributed storage network. If one storage provider goes down, your files will be accessible since they are “pinned”with the same content identifier in multiple locations. Storage providers are incentivized thru Filecoin rewards to keep your data available 24/7.

You may be eligible for free storage even though you have large data sets! Contact Filecoin.io for more information. So you may be asking, who is storing their data on the Filecoin network? As we mentioned, Filecoin has become the world’s largest decentralized storage network. Here is a list of a few well known entities that are backing up their data on Filecoin.

1. The entire Solana Blockchain. Read our post about it here.
2. Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute is utilizing the Open-Source decentralized Filecoin network for tamper-proof, resilient, and transparent storage of critical research data. He was quoted as saying “the only data storage technology that can provide strong guarantees of data integrity is through the use of cryptographic proofs & unique content identifiers”.
3. The Starling Lab and the USC Shoah foundation is storing archives of holocaust survivors on the Filecoin network.
4. Lockeed Martin and the SETI institute. Read more at Destor.io here

A CID (Content Identifier) is a unique identifier used in the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) and  Filecoin. It is a content-based address, meaning that it is derived from the content of a file rather than its location or other attributes. A CID is calculated using cryptographic hash functions, which generate a fixed-length string of characters that represents the content of a file.

There are a few reasons why content-based addressing with CIDs is considered advantageous compared to location-based addressing.   If you prefer to learn by video, watch Gregg Scharfstein explantation here -or continue reading:

1. Immutable and verifiable content: CIDs allow for the verification of file integrity. Since the CID is derived from the file’s content using cryptographic hashing, any changes made to the content would result in a different CID. This enables users to verify that the file they receive or retrieve matches the original content without relying on a specific location or trusting a central authority.
2. Decentralized and distributed nature: With location-based addressing, files are typically accessed by referencing a specific server or storage location. In contrast, CIDs enable a decentralized and distributed approach to file storage and retrieval. Since the CID represents the content itself, files can be stored across multiple nodes in a distributed network like IPFS or Filecoin. This allows for redundancy, fault tolerance, and load balancing across the network, without relying on a single centralized location.
3. Location independence: CIDs provide location independence, meaning that the physical or network location of a file does not need to be known in order to access it. By referencing the CID, users can retrieve the file from any node or peer on the network that has a copy of the content. This provides flexibility and resilience, as files can be retrieved from different sources based on availability and proximity, rather than relying on a specific location.
4. Content-based deduplication: CIDs enable efficient deduplication of files across the network. Since each file’s CID is derived from its content, identical files or chunks will have the same CID. This allows the network to recognize and store only a single copy of the content, reducing storage redundancy and optimizing network resources.

Overall, content-based addressing with CIDs offers benefits such as file integrity verification, decentralized and distributed storage, location independence, and efficient deduplication. These advantages make content-based addressing well-suited for decentralized storage systems, where files can be reliably and securely accessed from multiple locations while maintaining data integrity.