IC

What is the Internet Computer Protocol?
The vision of a decentralized network
Imagine using social media without worrying about your data being sold, or accessing financial services without bank approval. This is the vision driving the development of the Internet Computer (ICP) - a technology designed to help build an internet free from the control of tech giants.
The Internet Computer, launched by the Swiss non-profit DFINITY Foundation in May 2021, is a Layer-1 blockchain protocol that functions as a 'World Computer' - a network of global, never-stopping machines that together form a single computing platform intended to replace centralized servers.

It has been several days since the ICP Global Townhall roadshow event ended, but we are still reminiscing about its brilliance.
The roadshow session can be described as a marathon of Web3 creativity, and witnessing it firsthand is rare. The Townhall segment showcased the future of decentralized technology, focusing on visionary builders worldwide and projects with the potential to make an impact in the real world.
Among more than 60 compelling proposals, six projects stood out as winners, each showcasing a unique approach to solving problems using blockchain and decentralized technology.

Boundary nodes are the entry points to the Internet Computer; each user request passes through one of these nodes before reaching the target container. This article delves into the new boundary node architecture, a key outcome of the Solenoid milestone, and explores the functionalities it unlocks.
Mail Carriers of the Internet Computer
From a high-level perspective, boundary nodes can be seen as the mail carriers of the Internet Computer; they receive requests from clients and ensure they reach the correct destination. To better understand their role, it is essential to first understand the core structure of the Internet Computer.

If you ever doubted the need for a massive upgrade to your internet diet, you are not alone. The folks at the DFINITY Foundation seem to agree, donning their tech aprons and crafting the internet computer, which promises to spark a revolution in the digital realm.
But now, this Swiss-based organization is carefully spreading its wings across the Atlantic, committed to achieving decentralization and innovation, thanks to their latest campaign, 'DFINITY Takes Over America'.
The DFINITY Foundation has long been a beacon for blockchain enthusiasts, committed to changing the internet as we know it. However, their expansion into the U.S. market not only signifies a geographical expansion but also marks a profound redefinition of their ambitions. The appointment of Joshua Lee Drake as the Managing Director of DFINITY is a strategic step in this direction.

In this blog post, we clarify the storage model of the Internet Computer (IC) and provide some insights related to the roadmap for more storage.
We first outline what types of storage blockchain can typically provide, then detail the unique trade-offs achieved by the Internet Computer architecture, and finally outline the next milestones on the roadmap to implementing more storage.
In the context of blockchain storage, broadly speaking, two types of storage can be distinguished: fully replicated storage and distributed storage. The Internet Computer relies on fully replicated storage, where as part of the protocol, it ensures that all participating nodes store a complete copy of the data - commonly referred to as replicated state - therefore, this type of storage supports direct read/write/update/delete operations as part of any action agreed upon in a replicated manner by participating nodes via some consensus protocol.