How to Become a DNS Seed for Bitcoin Core: A Guide
Over the past few years, Bitcoin Core has experienced major outages and reboots due to issues with its Domain Name System (DNS) service. One of the main components contributing to these outages is the decentralized DNS seed (DDNS) used by Bitcoin Core to resolve domain names. To become a DNS seed for Bitcoin Core, you need to understand how this process works and what factors contribute to your listing.
What is a DNS Seed?
A DNS seed is a set of public keys used as a source of truth to resolve domain names on the Internet. In the case of Bitcoin Core, its DNS seed is responsible for resolving domain names for Bitcoin-related services. Seeds are stored on a distributed network of nodes, and anyone can request access to these seeds in exchange for cryptocurrency.
How does the process work?
Here is an overview of the process:
- Seed Registration: When a node joins the Bitcoin Core network, it must register its public keys as DNS seeds.
- Seed Verification: Each node verifies that its seed is valid and up-to-date by checking the blockchain for issues with the key.
- DNS Query Resolution: When a client (such as a user or application) requests domain name resolution, it can ask the Bitcoin Core DNS service to look up the corresponding private key associated with the public keys on the node that owns it.
Do core developers add a reputation-based DNS seed?
The answer is generally no. The Bitcoin Core team does not actively monitor or rely on reputation as a factor when selecting and adding nodes to the DNS seed list. Instead, the process is purely based on technical checks:
*Each node must register its public keys and verify their validity.
*The blockchain is checked for key validation issues.
However, it should be noted that some nodes may choose to be added to the DNS seed list if they have a good reputation within the community. This could be due to a number of reasons, such as:
*Strong security practices
*Good code quality and performance.
*Active participation in the Bitcoin Core community
How does a node get added to the DNS seed list?
To become a DNS seed for Bitcoin Core, you need to follow these steps:
- Create an account
: Sign up for a new wallet or create one if you already have access.
- Generate keys: Generate public and private keys using your wallet software.
- Verify Key Validity: Make sure your keys are valid and compliant with the Bitcoin Core blockchain standards.
- Register Node on Mainnet
: Go to the Bitcoin Core network explorer (e.g. [ and register a new node using your public key.
Once you complete these steps, you will be added to the list of nodes that are part of the Bitcoin Core DNS seed. Please note that this process is usually automated, so there is no need to actively manage or monitor your inclusion in the list.
Conclusion
Becoming a DNS seed for Bitcoin Core requires basic technical knowledge and a willingness to participate in the community. By following these steps and understanding how the process works, everyone can contribute to the smooth running of Bitcoin’s decentralized DNS service. Please note, however, that being added to the list is not an invitation to become involved in the development or governance of the Bitcoin Core project itself.