How to get started on Hash Name Service
Building on the post-OA Hedera network, Hashing Systems will introduce a key feature in the development of dapps on the network. On October 29th, they will be launching Hash Name Service, a natively-built domain name registry that will set the standard for identification on Hedera. This secure registry will allow users and developers to better manage interactions. HNS removes the need for the long, complicated codes that identify people by linking them to human-readable names. Such a development will allow developers to seamlessly create dapps to interact with users, and allow users to easily interact with each other.
Getting your own domain
What do you need to get started?
Getting started is fast and simple. You’ll need to have a few things. First, you have to download Composer. This is what allows you to connect to the Hedera network. In order to process transactions, you’ll also need to have your Hedera wallet set up. Finally, you just need to have some hbar in your wallet and be ready to go on Google Chrome.
How do you get started?
We built the HNS registration experience just like shopping online. You can start getting domains before Friday, October 29th, 2019 if you follow the link from your email. If you were unable to reserve an email you will have to wait until Friday.
To get a domain you just go to the search bar at hns.domains and type the domain you want to acquire. You’ll then see if it’s been taken yet or not. This is going to make a query to Hedera to verify. If it has not been bought, you can get it! The website will show a button. If the button isn’t available it means the domain is taken.
How to claim?
The last part is actually paying for the domain. When you click claim, the Composer extension will generate a transaction able to claim the domain. Make sure to set a type and resolve-to value. The type variable allows you to set up specific resources within hedera (such as account, file, or smart contract). For now we’re using “accounts” but there’s support for Files and Smart Contracts.
No need to worry about this though since you can edit them later. It will transfer the hbar to the smart contract and generate a receipt. If successful, it will reload the page and attempt to query the domain again.
How to edit/update my domain?
You can update your domain’s resolve values by going to the domain’s page while logged in with your Composer. You’ll be able to push transactions making changes to the domains including editing the type and the resolving value.
What’s next?
Closed registration will be on October 23rd, followed by public access 25th. You can get your HNS domain for 100 hbar on a yearly subscription basis. Once HNS finalizes public access testing, they’ll roll out upgraded pricing. You can read more about that here.
Background Information
What is Hash Name Service? And what does it have to offer?
Before understanding Hash Name Service, you must have a good grasp on Hedera Hashgraph. As HNS is a decentralized domain registry developed to further enhance the capabilities and operations of users using Hashgraph. It tackles a lot of the issues users face with the Domain Name Service (DNS examples includes .com, .net, org) like DNS hijacking, and also affirms to work with more advanced technology than cryptocurrency.
What is Hedera Hashgraph?
Hedera Hashgraph promises to be the next step in crypto development and adoption. Taking a more sober and planned approach, the Hedera team has enlisted large, established companies to run the network alongside the Hedera team. Companies such as IBM, Tata Communications, Boeing, and Deutsche Telekom have joined this council and will take part in running nodes. This group, referred to as the governance council, not only legitimizes the network by the participation of international technology heavyweights, but also provides a stable hand to guide the network away from the unpredictable and unreliable nature of previous crypto platforms.
Hedera is also significantly faster than any other crypto technology. With a current throughput of 10,000 cryptocurrency transactions per second (TPS) rate, it eclipses Ethereum’s and Bitcoins less than 15 TPS.
Differentiating itself from the two largest crypto networks, Hedera is also patented. This protects actors on the platform from unwanted forking of the network. Unlike older cryptos, they have chosen to facilitate the entrance of large corporations. This comes with the expectation that the network is safe from being copied.
It is still yet to be seen how this innovative new platform will fare with time. As with any new technology, only its market performance will serve as proof of its utility.
What is Hash Name Service?
Hash Name Service is a top level domain naming system for Hedera Hashgraph users and developers. HNS is a decentralized blockchain domain registry equivalent of the widely-used Domain Naming System (DNS). HNS is a native-name registry for Hedera Hashgraph users and developers. It is aimed at creating short, recognizable names such as “phillip.hh” for identification on the Hedera network. HNS is also aimed at eliminating the need to use complicated blockchain addresses by short-linking them to something you can easily remember. What differentiates HNS from other domain registries is that it is built within the Hedera network, inheriting the platform’s security.
How does HNS work?
Domains on HNS will be registered through the HNS smart contract that runs on the Hedera network. To refer to someone’s identity, the smart contract will be called to return users addresses based on the HNS domains held by those users. Subdomains can then be crested under the top-level domains. Running the registry under a smart contract benefits from the security provided by the network.
Benefits of owning a HNS domain name
- HNS domains can be used to easily identify users across Dapps
- Subdomains can be created under TLDs
- HNS is made within the network, natively, so it is secure
- Users can transfer their domains. The process of buying and selling a HNS domain is similar to buying a domain for a website using the DNS
- Using human readable domains will prevent mistaken identity and facilitate the user management process
