SIA File – What is .sia file and how to open it?

SIA File Format

A SIA file, or Sia Metadata File, is a container for information and instructions related to a Sia storage contract. Sia is a decentralized cloud storage platform that utilizes blockchain technology to secure and distribute data. The SIA file format is designed to facilitate the management and retrieval of data from the Sia network.

Inside a SIA file, users will find metadata pertaining to the associated storage contract. This metadata typically includes:

• Contract ID: A unique identifier for the storage contract.
• File ID: The identifier for the file being stored.
• Start Time: Timestamp indicating when the contract began.
• End Time: Timestamp indicating when the contract expires.
• File Size: The size of the file being stored.
• Price: The cost of storing the file on the Sia network.
• Payment Address: The Sia address where payments for the storage contract are sent.
• Host Addresses: The network addresses of the hosts responsible for storing the file.
• Piece Size: The size of each individual piece of data within the file.
• Redundancy: The number of copies of each piece of data stored on the network.
• Recovery Time: The length of time it takes to recover the file if any of the pieces are lost.

Understanding SIA Files

Sia Metadata Files (.SIA) are associated with Sia, a cloud storage platform that utilizes blockchain technology for decentralization and security. These files contain metadata about specific files stored on the Sia network. They include information such as file size, encryption key, and a unique identifier, but not the actual file content itself. SIA files enable users to manage and retrieve their stored files from the Sia network.

Opening SIA Files

SIA files can be opened using the Sia software, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. To open an SIA file:

1. Install Sia: Download and install the Sia software from the official website.
2. Open Sia: Launch the Sia application.
3. Import SIA File: Click on the “File” menu and select “Import File From Sia.”
4. Locate SIA File: Browse to the location where the SIA file is saved and select it.
5. Description: Enter a description for the file being imported.
6. Import: Click on the “Import” button to import the SIA file.

Once imported, the file will be available in the Sia interface. Users can download the actual file, view its properties, and perform other operations related to the stored file. It’s important to note that SIA files do not contain the actual file content, and users need to use the Sia software to retrieve the file from the network.

File Usage:

A .SIA file is a metadata file format used by Sia, a decentralized file storage network. It contains information about the stored files, including their encrypted data, metadata, and cryptographic signatures. The SIA file serves as a placeholder on the computer’s file system, representing the actual file stored on the Sia network. When the file is requested, the Sia software fetches the encrypted data and metadata from the network and decrypts it using the provided decryption key.

Technical Specifications:

The SIA file format is defined by the Sia software. It uses a custom binary data structure to store the file’s metadata, including the file’s name, size, and modification timestamp. The encrypted data is stored in a separate file, and the SIA file contains a pointer to this data file. The SIA file also includes a cryptographic signature to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the metadata.

Other Extensions