Files
fips/docs/design
Johnathan Corgan 19efe06622 Add dest_coords to SessionAck for return-path routing
SessionAck previously only carried the responder's coordinates
(src_coords). When the return path diverged from the forward path
(e.g., after tree reconvergence), transit nodes on the return path
lacked the initiator's coordinates and couldn't route the SessionAck
back, causing handshake timeouts.

Add dest_coords (initiator's coordinates) to the SessionAck wire
format, mirroring SessionSetup's design. Transit nodes now cache both
endpoints' coordinates when forwarding a SessionAck, making the return
path self-sufficient regardless of path asymmetry.

Root cause confirmed by churn-20 sim log analysis: the n04-n14
handshake failure was caused by n15 (return-path transit) lacking
n04's coordinates, not by stale tree routes through a downed node.
2026-02-21 14:18:48 +00:00
..

FIPS Design Documents

Protocol design specifications for the Federated Interoperable Peering System — a self-organizing encrypted mesh network built on Nostr identities.

Reading Order

Start with the introduction, then follow the protocol stack from bottom to top. After the stack, the mesh operation document explains how all the pieces work together. Supporting references provide deeper dives into specific topics.

Protocol Stack

Document Description
fips-intro.md Protocol introduction: goals, architecture, layer model
fips-transport-layer.md Transport layer: datagram delivery over arbitrary media
fips-link-layer.md FIPS Link Protocol (FLP): peer authentication, link encryption, forwarding
fips-session-layer.md FIPS Session Protocol (FSP): end-to-end encryption, sessions
fips-ipv6-adapter.md IPv6 adaptation: TUN interface, DNS, MTU enforcement

Mesh Behavior

Document Description
fips-mesh-operation.md How the mesh operates: routing, discovery, error recovery
fips-wire-formats.md Wire format reference for all message types

Supporting References

Document Description
fips-spanning-tree.md Spanning tree algorithms: root election, parent selection, coordinates
fips-bloom-filters.md Bloom filter math: FPR analysis, size classes, split-horizon

Implementation

Document Description
fips-software-architecture.md Stable architectural decisions guiding the codebase
fips-state-machines.md Phase-based state machine pattern (Rust enum-of-structs)
fips-configuration.md YAML configuration reference

Supplemental

Document Description
spanning-tree-dynamics.md Spanning tree walkthroughs: convergence scenarios, worked examples

Document Relationships

                        fips-intro.md
                             │
              ┌──────────────┼──────────────┐
              ▼              ▼              ▼
   fips-transport-layer  fips-mesh-     fips-software-
              │          operation       architecture
              ▼              │              │
   fips-link-layer ◄────────┤              ▼
              │              │       fips-state-machines
              ▼              │
   fips-session-layer        ├──► fips-spanning-tree
              │              │         │
              ▼              └──► fips-bloom-filters
   fips-ipv6-adapter
                        fips-wire-formats
                        (referenced by all layer docs)

              fips-configuration
              (standalone reference)

              spanning-tree-dynamics
              (pedagogical companion to fips-spanning-tree)