# Decentralized Web Nodes

Most activities online between two entities require the exchange of messages and data. To make these exchanges, entities require an interface to store, discover, and fetch data related to the action an entity is participating in. A [Decentralized Web Node](https://github.com/TBD54566975/dwn-sdk-js) (DWN) is a data storage and message relay mechanism entities can use to locate public or private permissioned data related to a given [Decentralized Identifier (DID)](/architecture/did.md). Decentralized Web Nodes are a mesh-like datastore construction that enable an entity to operate multiple nodes that sync to the same state across one another, enabling the owning entity to secure, manage, and transact their data with others without reliance on location or provider-specific infrastructure, interfaces, or routing mechanisms.

This allows anyone to build on the [Zion](https://github.com/getzion) architecture, and utilize an entity's DWN for their applications and services. Almost any form of data can be stored on a DWN. Zion DWNs currently store data in the form of the following schemas (more to be added in the future):

* [COMMUNITY](https://github.com/getZION/whitepaper-documents/blob/master/schemas/COMMUNITY.md)
* [PERSON](https://github.com/getZION/whitepaper-documents/blob/master/schemas/PERSON.md)
* [POST](https://github.com/getZION/whitepaper-documents/blob/master/schemas/POST.md)
* [COMMENT](https://github.com/getZION/whitepaper-documents/blob/master/schemas/COMMENT.md)
* [USER INTERACTION](https://github.com/getZION/whitepaper-documents/blob/master/schemas/USERINTERACTION.md)
* [IMAGE](https://github.com/getZION/whitepaper-documents/blob/master/schemas/IMAGE.md)
* [VIDEO](https://github.com/getZION/whitepaper-documents/blob/master/schemas/VIDEO.md)
* [DATETIME](https://github.com/getZION/whitepaper-documents/blob/master/schemas/DATETIME.md)

All this data is stored locally on an entity’s personal devices and in remote locations Multi Master Replicas, which are highly available. Owners of a DWN choose what information is public or private. Permission access is resolved through DID authentication and object capabilities, which can only be given by the DWN owner.

This new form of data storage creates true ownership of one’s data and removes the single points of failure caused by centralized storage of data. Additionally, data on a DWN can only be edited or deleted by the DWN owner and those they give access to.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.zion.fyi/architecture/decentralized-web-nodes.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.