Project summary
Interplanetary File System (IPFS) is a peer‑to‑peer distributed file system that does not depend on centralised servers. Its aim is to connect a set of independent computing devices (called nodes) with the same file system. This proof‑of‑concept (PoC) project aims to explore and evaluate this system for research data, in particular its complementarity with the blockchain.
Project Repository
https://forge.inrae.fr/blockchain-esr/ipfs
This private repository is reserved for members and contributors to the project.
Identity of the request carriers
Project type
Pilot (PoC) and structuring project (Animation of the Blockchain ESR network)
Title
PoC IPFS
Keywords
#poc #esr #ipfs #data_storage #data_management #blockchain #rse
Composition of the responsible team
- Eddie IANNUCCELLI – INRAE
- Aurélien PERILLAT‑BOTTONET – INRAE
- Angélique ADIVEZE – INRAE
- Dr Geoffrey GOODELL – University College London
- Prof. Jean‑Henry MORIN – University of Geneva
Date(s)
2026
Location
Montpellier
Previous funding
2025 Sapi PoC Blockchain
Communication, dissemination, reporting
All deliverables (documentation, source code, …) will be made available under an open licence. Reporting activities will be organised for various internal or external groups within the Institute. Communication around the project will be supported by the inter‑institutional “Blockchain ESR” network.
Project description
Context
Client‑server model
Data hosting today lies at the heart of digital infrastructures. Data are usually stored on servers managed by organisations or specialised providers. These servers constitute points of failure: if the servers fail or if a provider, organisation or state decides to block access, the data become unavailable.
Decentralised IPFS model
IPFS is a peer‑to‑peer distributed file system that does not depend on centralised servers. Its aim is to connect a set of independent computing devices (called nodes) with the same file system. The main implementation of IPFS is an open‑source programme written in Go (https://github.com/ipfs).
IPFS is a collaborative, participatory system where each file is represented by a unique identifier. A file cannot be removed from IPFS as long as at least one node in the network makes it available, which makes the system extremely resilient and resistant to censorship.
The project
In this context, the “PoC IPFS” project consists of creating an Interplanetary File System distributed storage infrastructure for testing purposes.
The infrastructure is made up of a set of servers (nodes). The architecture is designed so that the loss of one or several nodes has no consequence. Consequently, it is possible to integrate replacement hardware (servers, NAS, disks, racks…) into an IPFS node network and thereby extend the usable lifetime of the equipment.
Following on from the 2025 SAPI “PoC blockchain”, we will propose use‑cases that combine IPFS with blockchain. Indeed, the blockchain can store immutable IPFS URLs that point to the data it certifies.
This multidisciplinary project (computer science, law, data management, open science, RSE…) and inter‑CATI initiative (CATI DEVSECOPS, CATI GEDEOP, INRAE CATI DIISCICO) potentially involving many groups will benefit from the expertise of the “Blockchain ESR” network members. It will also draw on resources from the Information Systems Directorate.
In addition, the project will have an international dimension, as foreign academic partners have expressed their willingness to take part.
Objectives
- Acquire the skills to deploy and maintain an IPFS infrastructure
- Develop IPFS‑based applications covering a selection of use‑cases
- Define the legal framework for the use of IPFS
- Define an economic and governance model
- Demonstrate the relevance and feasibility of deploying an IPFS infrastructure for Higher Education and Research (ESR)
Action plan
- 1st quarter 2026
- Publication of the internship offer, selection and recruitment
- Internship in the 4th or 5th year of an engineering school (computer science) – deployment of an IPFS network
- Formation of thematic teams: Legal, Economics and Governance
- Choice of use‑cases in the fields of data storage and sharing
- Publication of the internship offer, selection and recruitment
- 2nd quarter 2026
- Internship in the 4th or 5th year of an engineering school (computer science) – set‑up of the IT infrastructure and start of IPFS deployment
- Design of applications for the use‑cases
- Start of work by the thematic teams
- 3rd quarter 2026
- Internship in the 4th or 5th year of an engineering school (computer science) – IPFS deployment
- Development of the applications
- Interim report from the thematic teams
- Organisation of communication activities around the project
- 4th quarter 2026
- Testing of the applications
- Final synthesis report from the thematic teams
Deliverables
- A test IPFS infrastructure
- Applications responding to a selection of use‑cases
- A repository on the institutional forge for source code and documentation
- A synthesis report of the thematic teams’ work including:
- A legal analysis concerning the use of IPFS
- Scenarios for the governance and financing of an IPFS infrastructure
- Communication material about the project for the various groups
Budget
| Income | € 5 500,00 |
|---|---|
| Contribution from SaPI (INRAE) | € 5 000,00 |
| Contribution from UMR IRCELyon (CNRS) | € 500,00 |
| Expenditure | € 5 500,00 |
| Internship | € 3 000,00 |
| Participation in seminars, events, workshops… | € 2 500,00 |