Introduction
IPFS, or InterPlanetary File System, is neither a blockchain nor a decentralized storage protocol. IPFS is a communication protocol and discovery layer that keeps track of files by assigning them an identification number. This is innovative because most data storage systems keep track of files based on location–which has been known to create efficiency drawbacks compared to the identification number method.
The Jackal Protocol is a Cosmos proof-of-stake Cosmos L1 blockchain and decentralized storage network. Like IPFS, the Jackal Protocol keeps track of files by assigning them an identification number we call “FIDs,” not to be confused with IPFS’s CIDs.
Privacy & Security
Data uploaded to IPFS is publicly accessible. IPFS does not have a permissions system, meaning anyone in the world can view and download your files without authentication using IPFS URLs or IPFS HTTP gateways. Data stored on the Jackal Protocol is end-to-end AES256 encrypted and private by default; only the end-user with their cryptographic keys can access or download their files through a software or hardware blockchain wallet. Using Jackal’s File Tree module, data can also be shared and un-shared with other Jackal users in a secure environment.
Redundancy
There is no redundancy system built into the IPFS protocol. When using IPFS, redundancy depends on which centralized pinning service is used to access the network. These centralized pinning services offer various forms of redundancy at different price points. An example of a pinning service would be Infura or Pinata.
Jackal handles redundancy in the background using an algorithm we call Proof-of-Persistence. This algorithm ensures that files stored on Jackal always have 3x geo-redundant full copies. This is done through a series of contracts formed between the storage provider and the user using Merkle Tree root hashes of the file and information required to prove ownership. To learn more about Jackal’s Proof-of-Persistence protocol, see our documentation.
User Experience
When using IPFS, there are a few options. The first–more technical–option is to purchase or rent a centralized server for IPFS pinning and use IPFS from the command line or the desktop application to store and access files. Other users may use pinning services such as Infura or Pinata to access IPFS services with a great user experience. Infura currently costs $120/TB/Month, and Pinata costs $400/TB/Month.
Simply put, Jackal eliminates the additional steps and cost barriers needed to make services like IPFS easy-to-use. Jackal is purpose-built to have a great user experience while maintaining absolute decentralization–a by-product of a unified storage layer and simplified dashboard. All users need when accessing the Jackal Protocol is their cosmos cryptographic wallet and an internet connection. Every user receives a free 2GB of data storage to familiarize themselves with the Jackal Cloud dashboard. After 2GB, data storage costs $8/TB/Month.
