Uploading and Pinning Files on IPFS

Uploading and Pinning Files on IPFS

Introduction to IPFS

The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a decentralized, peer-to-peer file storage protocol that offers a resilient and content-addressed way to store and share data. Unlike traditional web storage, where files are hosted on a single server with a fixed URL, IPFS ensures that files remain accessible even if the original server goes down.

This decentralized approach makes IPFS ideal for applications that require permanent, verifiable, and censorship-resistant storage—especially for blockchain use cases like NFT metadata, decentralized applications (dApps), and content archiving.

How IPFS Works

1. Content-Based Addressing

In traditional file storage, URLs are based on file locations (e.g., https://example.com/file.jpg). If the hosting server goes offline, the file becomes inaccessible.

In contrast, IPFS uses content-addressing via Content Identifier (CID), a unique hash generated from the file’s contents. This ensures:

• The same file always produces the same CID.

• If the file changes, it results in a new CID.

• CIDs can be used to verify data integrity, as any modification will change the hash.

2. Decentralized File Availability

Once a file is uploaded to IPFS, it is distributed across multiple nodes, ensuring redundancy and availability. Even if one node goes offline, the file remains accessible as long as other nodes have it.

3. Pinning Files for Persistence

By default, IPFS nodes do not permanently store files unless they are pinned. Pinning prevents files from being garbage-collected, ensuring they remain accessible over time. You can pin your file here.

Uploading a File to IPFS

We provide seamless IPFS uploading and pinning services (endpoints) under our LiaaS Prime Enterprise Plan. These endpoints allow users to store files in a decentralized, tamper-proof, and permanently accessible manner.

Before minting an NFT, you must first upload your file to IPFS and obtain its IPFS link (CID), which will then be used in the minting of NFT under nftFileURL parameter. This ensures that the NFT remains accessible indefinitely, without reliance on a single storage provider.

Please check upload to IPFS and Pin on IPFS endpoints to get more insight.

Advantages of IPFS Over Traditional Storage

Feature	Traditional Storage	IPFS
Resilience	Single point of failure	Redundant across nodes
Content Addressing	URL based on location	URL based on file content (CID)
Decentralization	Hosted by a central server	Distributed across a peer-to-peer network
Integrity & Verification	No automatic verification	CIDs ensure data integrity
Ideal for NFTs	Metadata can break if host goes offline	Metadata remains permanently accessible

Use Cases for IPFS

• NFT Metadata & Digital Assets – Ensures NFT metadata remains available permanently.

• Decentralized Applications (dApps) – Provides storage for dApp resources without reliance on centralized servers.

• Web3 Hosting – Host websites in a censorship-resistant way.

• Content Archiving – Store important documents and research papers for long-term access.