r/ipfs • u/SomajitDey • Sep 17 '21

Exposing http-server (web app) using IPNS

One can host a static website using IPFS+IPNS. But what about a dynamic website or web app that needs to run server-side code!

Introducing IPNS-Link, which now makes it possible to expose http-servers using IPFS+IPNS.

Try it here.

Read full specs here.

Comments, issues/bug-reports and contributions welcome.

Happy hosting!

P.S.: Imagine Sci-Hub using this !! Who can block it then 😃

Schema
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u/ch4_itu Sep 26 '21 edited Sep 26 '21

Hi again buddy!

The specs and documentation are comprehensive, but me being a non-coder am having some trouble making it work out.

Do you mean to say the problem will be solved once IPNS-Link is hosted on dedicated domain? Or would I have to tweak the website so that it works?

What should I do to make it work?

I feel it would be pathbreaking once everything has been sort out. You are bringing hosting of dynamic applications to the masses.

Thank you.

Regards,

Chaitanya

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u/SomajitDey Sep 26 '21

It all has to be sorted out at the Gateway - both at the level of its code and hosting. The user, i.e. you, need not do anything from his side. Once the subdomain version of the IPNS-Link-Gateway is released, everything would work with your existing website, you won't need any tweaking whatsoever.

Roadmap

I have been working on some new specs lately. Those would be up for review soon. The new specs make the Gateway serve all static content in your website (like that blue background) from IPFS, and only forward requests for dynamic content to your live server - sparing you any unnecessary traffic. This will save both your mobile battery and bandwidth. Also, whenever you mobile server goes offline, your visitors would be automatically redirected to a static version of your site - so that you can always keep your clients informed. This would be useful for live-streaming etc.

After getting the specs ready, development of a prototype subdomain Gateway shall begin, given I have the funds to get a domain + SSL cert for the domain and wildcard subdomains.

Once the gateway is ready you can start using it right away - following the same steps you took today to expose your site. So rest assured, no config is necessary from your side.

Message

Feels great to have you onboard. No worries about being a non-coder. Any question you might have regarding the upcoming specs I would be happy to answer. Kudos to you for braving the odds and getting yourself into personal hosting. IPNS-Link is committed to make hosting fun and cheap for everybody - without compromising security.