One embodiment provides a system that facilitates a single interface for file I/O and network communication. During operation, the system receives from a local application a first command to create content. The first command includes a content name and access control information that indicates how the content may be accessed. The content name is a hierarchically structured variable length identifier that includes contiguous name components ordered from a most general level to a most specific level. The system creates a first manifest which is a content object that indicates a set of content objects by a name and a digest. The first manifest name is the content name corresponding to the first command, and access to the manifest is based on the access control information included in the first command. The system transmits to the local application the first manifest and an indicator of success for creating the first manifest.