Google proposes new DNS protocol extension

An interesting proposal was announced on the official Google Code Blog this week. In a lengthy draft, a group of DNS and content providers (including Google) outline the concept of extending the DNS protocol to include part of a user's IP address. DNS works by translating friendly domain names to a numeric address.

Currently, the address of a user's ISP or a third party resolver is used. Utilizing the individual's IP address will send the request to a nearby server, reducing latency and creating a better experience for the customer. This is especially important to those using a large DNS resolver, as servers several countries away could be processing the request.

According to Google, the proposed DNS protocol would only send the first three octets (top 24 bits) of an IP address to determine the location, yet protect the privacy, of the user. Skeptics, on the other hand, question the motives surrounding the protocol.


reference: Neowin