Blockchain-based DNS using Namecoin and Dot-Bit Domains

Namecoin was specifically created to enable such a blockchain DNS. The idea of a blockchain-based DNS has been around almost as long as Bitcoin, it is based on exactly the same code as Bitcoin. In the same way that Bitcoin is a decentralised currency that cannot be shut down, Namecoin is the basis for a decentralised domain name system which could put a stop to Internet censorship.

Why Blockchain DNS?

In today's Internet, when you request any website by name, say it "google.com", that means your browser asks central name-servers (called root servers) for how to reach that website. These servers are operated by the same entity, usually a governmental organisation. This centralised system is prone to censorship, tracking, commercial takeover, data retention and other abuse. Visitors can be misdirected and owners can lose their websites.

A decentralised DNS means that domains can exist which are not owned by anyone, and the DNS lookup tables are stored on the blockchain and are shared on a peer-to-peer system. As long as there are nodes running the customised DNS server software for the rest of us, then we can always access any alternative domains. Short of seizing the physical servers, authorities cannot impose rules to affect the operation of a peer-to-peer top level domain.

Using Dot-Bit Domain

Namecoin supports the alternative top-level domain ".bit". Dot-Bit-enabled websites end with ".bit" instead of ".com" or something similar. Use of the Dot-Bit domain requires a copy of the Namecoin blockchain.

To register a Dot-Bit domain, you first need to download the wallet and obtain some NMC (the digital currency which runs Dot-Bit).

Download the latest release here: https://github.com/namecoin/namecoin-core/releases

There are three types of Namecoin transaction:

• name_new: This constitutes a fixed cost pre-order of a domain. Registration cost 0.01 NMC.
• name_firstupdate: Registers a domain making it publically visible, subject to variable costs. Registration cost 0 NMC.
• name_update: This is used for updating, renewing or transferring a domain. Registration cost 0 NMC

Access .bit domain using NCDNS

Dot-Bit domains don't belong to the main zone of ICANN (centralised DNS). That's why most systems cannot open them by default. You need an aplication called NCDNS that provides an opportunity to run your own DNS server using Namecoin's blockchain data.

It's a daemon to bridge Namecoin to DNS. The daemon acts as an authoritative nameserver and queries a Namecoin daemon over JSON-RPC in order to obtain zone data.

You can download here https://github.com/namecoin/ncdns

NCDNS's main advantages are compatibility with all Internet applications (not just a web browser), and caching of data for extra speed.