PXBPXB

PXBPXB is a cross-platform data interchange protocol designed to enable efficient, verifiable transfer of binary payloads between distributed systems. The acronym PXBPXB stands for Packaged Binary Payload Exchange Protocol. It defines a compact envelope-driven messaging model that separates metadata from payload data, supporting both single-shot and streaming transfers.

Architecture of PXBPXB runs atop TLS and uses length-prefixed frames. Each message carries an envelope header containing version, content-type, transfer-id, payload-length, and optional metadata as key-value pairs. The payload can be compressed with algorithms such as zstd or LZ4. Integrity is provided by a per-message SHA-256 checksum and an optional HMAC. For streaming, messages can be composed of sequential chunks with reassembly on the receiving end.

Security and extensibility are core design considerations. PXBPXB emphasizes explicit version negotiation and forward-compatibility of headers. It supports mutual authentication and selective encryption of payloads. The envelope can include signatures for end-to-end integrity if desired. The header and payload schemas are designed to be extended via an optional extensions map to accommodate new metadata without breaking existing implementations.

Scope and usage include scenarios requiring high-throughput binary data transfer, such as edge-to-cloud workflows, artifact packaging, media distribution, and IoT data pipelines. Implementations exist for major programming languages, and reference implementations aim to clarify behavior across platforms.

Development and status: PXBPXB is maintained by the Open Binary Initiative community, with governance through a standards working group. The protocol reached version 1.0 in 2020, with subsequent minor releases adding streaming optimizations and improved header extensibility. Critics cite the learning curve and interoperability considerations with other binary formats. See the official PXBPXB specification for details.