What is Decentralized storage? Decentralized storage stores data across a series of 'nodes' all around the world, without a central location or server. Let's take a closer look.
What is Decentralized storage?
Decentralized storage is a method of data storage where data files are stored across a series of geographically distributed nodes that are connected using peer-to-peer (P2P) networking. Decentralized storage can refer to data stored on:
- A blockchain network that uses P2P networking, or
- Data stored using the distributed P2P protocol IPFS.
How Does It Work?
Decentralized storage refers to the act of storing data on many computers, often known as "nodes," within a decentralized network. Similar to traditional cloud storage, you can request and get the file whenever you need it. Similar to BitTorrent and other P2P clients, requesting your file involves downloading bits of it from network users until you get the whole thing.
The people who are in possession of your files can't, however, read them. Instead, decentralized storage encrypts information automatically, and since you are the only one with access to the encryption key, your files can only be accessed by you. A further layer of security and protection is added because no one person has access to all of your files thanks to the process of sharding.
Unlike centralized cloud storage which keeps data in a central point based on a location that might not be near you (resulting in users competing for bandwidth), the nature of decentralized storage means data distribution and retrieval is handled by nearby peers regardless of physical location. This results in higher transfer speeds due to utilizing local network bandwidth.
What is Decentralized storage? How Does It Work? - Hopefully, this article can help you to get some knowledge.
