ONS

ONS (Object Name Service)

ONS (Object Name Service) is a DNS-based lookup mechanism that resolves EPC identifiers to URLs of information services containing data about the identified object. Originally designed as part of the EPCglobal architecture, ONS enables distributed, decentralized product data lookup across supply chain partners.

How ONS Works

ONS operates on the same principles as the Internet's Domain Name System (DNS). When an RFID reader captures an EPC, the system needs to find authoritative data about that product -- its manufacturer, specifications, recall status, or EPCIS event history. ONS provides this directory service.

The resolution process converts the EPC's company prefix into a DNS domain name under the .sgtin.id.onsepc.com zone. A DNS query to this domain returns NAPTR records pointing to the information service URLs where the product data resides. For example, an EPC with company prefix 0614141 might resolve to https://info.example.com/epcis/ -- the manufacturer's EPCIS repository.

Architecture Layers

ONS operates in two tiers:

Local ONS: An organization's internal resolver that handles EPCs for products within its own company prefix(es). This layer provides fast, private lookups without external network dependencies.

Global ONS: The root-level resolver operated by GS1 that directs queries to the appropriate company's information services. Global ONS acts as the authoritative starting point when a supply chain partner encounters an EPC from an unfamiliar company prefix.

Relationship to Digital Link

The emergence of GS1 Digital Link has provided an alternative resolution mechanism that embeds GS1 identifiers directly in web URIs, reducing the need for DNS-based indirection. However, ONS remains relevant for machine-to-machine integrations where DNS-based service discovery offers lower overhead than HTTP redirections.

Security and Trust

ONS security relies on DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) to prevent spoofing and ensure that resolution results are authentic. In a brand protection context, ONS enables verifiers to look up the legitimate manufacturer's information service for any EPC, making it harder for counterfeiters to register fraudulent product data. The tag authentication process can combine cryptographic tag verification with ONS-based data validation for comprehensive anti-counterfeiting.