Ethereum Name Service (ENS)
Ethereum Name Service (ENS) is a distributed, open, and extensible naming system based on the Ethereum blockchain. It is designed to map human-readable names like 'alice.eth' to machine-readable identifiers such as Ethereum addresses, content hashes, and metadata. ENS aims to make the Ethereum ecosystem more accessible and user-friendly by simplifying the interaction with blockchain resources.
Ethereum Name Service overview
| Ticker | ENS |
| Website | https://ens.domains/ |
| @ensdomains | |
| Contract Addresses | |
|---|---|
| ethereum | 0xc18360217d8f7ab5e7c516566761ea12ce7f9d72 |
History of Ethereum Name Service
ENS was launched on the Ethereum mainnet in May 2017. It was developed by a team led by Nick Johnson, a software engineer and developer actively involved with the Ethereum Foundation. The project was born from the necessity of making Ethereum addresses, which are typically long and complex, more understandable and easier to use.
Initially, ENS was inspired by the Domain Name System (DNS), which maps domain names to IP addresses, simplifying internet navigation. However, ENS is designed to operate on the Ethereum blockchain, ensuring decentralization and security.
How Ethereum Name Service works
Domain registration
ENS operates by allowing users to register domain names with the '.eth' extension. These domain names are stored as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum blockchain, granting the owner control over the domain. The registration process involves a Vickrey auction model, ensuring a fair and transparent allocation of domain names.
Name resolution
Once a domain is registered, ENS provides a streamlined process for resolving these names into addresses. This is accomplished using a hierarchical system where top-level domains (like '.eth') manage subdomains. The ENS smart contracts handle the resolution, mapping human-readable names to Ethereum addresses or other resources.
Integrations and uses
ENS is integrated into various Ethereum wallets and decentralized applications (dApps), allowing users to send funds or interact with contracts using simple names instead of complex addresses. This integration enhances the usability of blockchain operations, making them more accessible to non-technical users.
Additionally, ENS supports the association of various types of information with a domain, such as cryptocurrency addresses or content hashes, enabling a wide range of applications beyond simple address resolution.