Blockchain Quick Reference

Peer-to-peer file transfer

This approach of peers downloading different pieces of a single file and then sharing it is the core of a technology called BitTorrent. BitTorrent allows peers to trade files and file fragments amongst one another. The downside of this is that there is little incentive not to download files you desire and then disconnect—preventing others from doing the same. To avoid this, IPFS took inspiration from the BitTorrent protocol and generalized it into a technology they call Bitswap. Bitswap works similar to BitTorrent, but with further inspiration from Bitcoin and its proof-of-work incentive system. Bitswap has an incentive system of its own where if a client downloads and stores rare data—data that isn't already highly ...