Blockchain Domain Name Scheme
Glossary
Term DefinitionsDistributed Ledger System (DLS) also known as consensus network or blockchain network, allows participating entities to store data securely and immutably. Blockchain NetworkA type of DLS in which transactions are recorded in blocks that are linked in chronological order. Public blockchain networks are open to all entities and anyone can join and participate in the consensus process. Private blockchain networks are controlled by a single entity that centrally manages read and write permissions. Consortium blockchain networks are controlled by a select group of entities that control the consensus process and manage access control. Client NodeA computing device or system that interacts with a blockchain network, for example, to execute transactions or access blockchain data. Unified Blockchain Domain Name (UBCDN)A unique identifier for a blockchain instance in a blockchain network, consisting of a human-readable label and a corresponding chain identifier. Blockchain Domain NameA portion of a UBCDN that is a human-readable label, such as "example.chain". Chain IdentifierA portion of a UBCDN that indicates the network configuration of a blockchain instance, such as the hash of the genesis block and the network ID. Certificate Authority (CA)A trusted entity responsible for issuing and managing digital certificates that are used to verify the identity of the owner of a UBCDN. Domain Name CertificateA digital certificate issued by a CA to a UBCDN owner, proving the UBCDN owner's management authority over a blockchain domain name. A UBCDN message contains a message of the UBCDN, the UBCDN owner's digital signature, and the domain name certificate, which is used to verify the validity of the UBCDN. A node or network that relays connections between different blockchain instances and facilitates cross-chain interactions. Short Answer Questions
What is a Unified Blockchain Domain Name (UBCDN)? What problem does it solve? A UBCDN is a unique identifier for a blockchain instance in a blockchain network. It solves the challenge of identifying and accessing different blockchain instances by providing a human-readable and easy-to-remember address, similar to the domain name system in the Internet.
What are the two main components of a UBCDN? A UBCDN consists of a blockchain domain name and a chain identifier. A blockchain domain name is a human-readable label, while a chain identifier contains technical configuration information for a blockchain instance.
What role does a certificate authority (CA) play in the UBCDN management scheme? CA is responsible for issuing domain name certificates to UBCDN owners to verify their management authority over blockchain domain names. This increases the trust and security of the UBCDN system.
Describe how a client node uses UBCDN to interact with another blockchain instance. The client node first obtains the UBCDN of the target blockchain instance. It then uses the chain identifier in the UBCDN to identify the network configuration of the target blockchain instance and establishes a connection for interaction.
How does UBCDN simplify cross-chain transactions? UBCDN simplifies cross-chain transactions by providing a unified address scheme that enables blockchain instances to easily find and connect to each other.
Explain the advantages of human-readable labels in UBCDN. Human-readable labels make UBCDN easier to remember and use, thereby promoting wider adoption of blockchain technology.
How do chain identifiers help client nodes access the correct blockchain instance? The chain identifier contains the network configuration information of the blockchain instance, such as the hash of the genesis block, which client nodes can use to connect to the correct blockchain instance.
What happens if the underlying network configuration of a blockchain instance changes? If the underlying network configuration of a blockchain instance changes, its chain identifier is also updated. However, its blockchain domain name can remain unchanged, ensuring continued connectivity to that instance.
What role does a relay play in cross-chain interactions using UBCDN? Relays act as bridges between different blockchain instances, identifying the target blockchain instance based on the chain identifier in the UBCDN, and facilitating cross-chain communication and data transfer.
What are the similarities between UBCDN and the Internet Domain Name System (DNS)? Both UBCDN and DNS provide a mechanism to resolve human-readable names into machine-readable addresses, thereby simplifying resource access on the network.
Paper Title
What is the role of UBCDN in facilitating interoperability between different blockchain platforms? Discuss its potential advantages and challenges.
Compare and contrast UBCDN with other cross-chain interaction solutions such as atomic swaps, sidechains, or hashed time-locked contracts.
Analyze the impact of UBCDN on decentralized application (dApps) development and user experience.
Evaluate the security and scalability impact of implementing UBCDN in public, private, and consortium blockchain networks.
Explore how UBCDN can shape the future of blockchain technology, especially related to areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), supply chain management, and digital identity.