IPFSn

IPFSn is a hypothetical extension of the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) designed to improve scalable content delivery in dynamic and edge-rich networks. The concept envision a modular overlay that remains compatible with IPFS's content addressing while introducing an adaptive routing layer for faster retrieval.

Architecture emphasizes a Merkle-based content graph, a distributed hash table with proximity-aware routing, and a cache-conscious strategy for edge nodes. IPFSn would allow content to be discovered through local neighborhoods while preserving data integrity via CIDs. It supports pluggable persistence and explicit pinning semantics to define data durability across networks.

Key features include low-latency retrieval through cooperative caching, improved resilience to churn, and optional privacy features such as selective encryption and access control lists for private IPFSn networks. It aims to maintain compatibility with standard IPFS APIs and data formats, enabling gradual experimentation.

Status: as a concept, IPFSn exists in academic and experimental discussions and has several reference implementations or proofs-of-concept. It is not an established standard and has no formal governance or widespread deployment. Development remains niche and community-driven.

See also: InterPlanetary File System, content addressing, Merkle DAG, Kademlia, Filecoin, IPFS Cluster.