Blockchain technologies, as we know, have the principle of doing without trusted third parties. We will see here how to exploit it to have completely decentralized domain names and web content.
By nature, websites are always hosted on centralized servers. The same goes for the domain names used to access them. For this, hosts and registrars require an adequate KYC, as well as a regular subscription to ensure the availability of the published web information. This can cause several problems:
- Exposure to possible third party bankruptcies;
- In the event of non-payment of the subscription, the domain names and hosted services are cancelled. This induces a dependency to sustain access to sustainable information. In particular in the event of death in the case of natural persons;
- Domain names and web content may be subject to censorship.
If you want to be able to publish information on the internet in an unalterable way, without time limits, without KYC and resistant to censorship, then the use of decentralized hosting services and domain names is a must.
Decentralized file storage with IPFS
First step: have a distributed and resilient storage medium. IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) is a perfect candidate for this. This technology is meant to be an alternative to archiving protocols such as HTTP and FTP, which are centralized and based on unique IP addresses.
IPFS is based on the peer-to-peer principle. Use a network of nodes to store and access files. Each of them can contain pieces of files and information about their location on other nodes. When a user wants to access a file, IPFS sends a request to a node. Acts like a directory to locate parts of files on different nodes. The fragments are then retrieved and assembled to reconstitute the original file. IPFS also uses a hash system to uniquely identify files. This allows for reliable referencing even if files are stored on different nodes or their location changes over time.
You need to install an IPFS client on your computer or use a cloud IPFS service. The Brave browser is also compatible with IPFS. This will allow adding documents, searching and uploading files. Attention, if you want to use IPFS to offer web-type content, keep in mind that its architecture is not particularly suited to the principles of hypertext navigation with many javascript libraries to download. It is preferable to offer pdf-type documents or relatively simple HTML pages. These can be designed with tools that allow the insertion of images directly into the HTML code (therefore without external links), such as for example LibreOffice.
The Filecoin alternative
Another possibility is to go through Filecoin. It is a decentralized file storage project using a specific blockchain related to IPFS technology. This is to create a market for buying and selling file storage. Filecoin allows you to rent unused storage space to other users who have storage needs. Transactions are made using the Filecoin (FIL) cryptocurrency, which is used to pay vendors for using their storage space.
Ethereum domain names
Once our document is stored decentrally on IPFS, we need to have an easy way to access it. Since IPFS hash identifiers aren’t particularly practical… Ideally, IPFS content should be associated with a domain name. The Ethereum (ETH) blockchain offers various solutions for this. Decentralized DNS uses smart contracts and ERC-721 tokens (non-fungible tokens) to manage domain registrations instead of going through a centralized registry. There is therefore no single point of failure, which makes them more resilient. Furthermore, it allows you to manage your domains completely autonomously and anonymously.
In practice, the first possibility is to use ENS (Ethereum Name Services). It allows you to create domain names that can be used to access mainly smart contracts or Ethereum addresses. It offers specific extensions like “.eth”. ENS is mainly used by several decentralized projects to facilitate access to their dApps. However, having to regularly renew the subscription reduces its interest.
Unstoppable domains
A more interesting alternative would be the Unstoppable Domains service. Originally on Ethereum, the service later moved to the Polygon sidechain to benefit from lower gas rates. It is compatible with web browsers such as Opera and Brave. This allows you to browse decentralized websites right from your browser. The acquired domain names can also have other applications, according to the explanations on the site:
- Simplify crypto transactions by replacing complicated wallet addresses with a domain name as a username;
- Use the domain to receive more than 275 cryptocurrencies on multiple blockchain networks;
- Log in to applications with domain name such as Web3 Universal Username;
- Host personal websites or NFT galleries.
Various extensions are available (.crypto, .nft, .x, .wallet, .bitcoin, .dao, .888, .zil, .blockchain). They are payable in cryptocurrencies (Ethereum, DAI ERC-20, USDC ERC-20, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin) or in more traditional means of payment. Particularly interesting point: no renewal is necessary: the acquired domain name is indelibly registered in the blockchain and remains available without time limits. To allow access to web content, all you have to do is point the domain name to the IPFS address of the desired document.
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IT entrepreneur and resident in African lands for fifteen years. In this uncertain and faltering world, I see bitcoin and cryptocurrencies as one of the best opportunities in the face of future challenges.