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Testnet Setup

TL;DR: the libra cli tool has a helper to create all genesis files for a testnet from pre-determined test personas (Alice, Bob, Carol, and Dave).

Each host needs to present the same genesis information (just network address), and pick one persona.

A host can be bare metal, or a docker container.

Requirements: building the libra binary, or pulling the docker reference image at https://github.com/0LNetworkCommunity/libra-framework/pkgs/container/libra-framework%2Flibra-node

On each host​

Each node should run on their host the setup instructions. WARNING: the usual $HOME/.libra/ data director WILL BE DESTROYED in this process.

Here's an example of setting up a testnet with three hosts separated by the vast ocean of the internet.

In this case the first user will be "alice"

 libra ops genesis testnet --me alice \
 --host-list my.domain.com:6180 \
 --host-list 1.2.4.5:6180 \
 --host-list localhost:6182 \
 --framework-mrb-path <LIBRA_SOURCE>/framework/releases/head.mrb

Next, each other hosts must pick Bob, Carol, (and optionally) Dave.

NOTE: you need three (up to Carol) or optionally four (Dave) to start a testnet. Trying for example five hosts will fail since there are only four predetermined personas. Other nodes can join testnet after genesis.

Network addresses​

The --host-list argument can be a domain, IPv4, or IPv6 address. You need to add a PORT. In production for validator networking this is 6180. If you are doing docker voodoo keep this in mind and check the validator.yaml on each host to see if they are using expected ports.

Framework MRB​

This fils is the binary of the Move code for the system smart contracts. This is needed to produce the genesis transaction.

Using mainnet's current deployed framework​

You can start a testnet with any of the historical .mrb files. We archive these in the libra-framework source. For example, mainnet is here: https://github.com/0LNetworkCommunity/libra-framework/blob/main/framework/releases/mainnet.mrb

Using bleeding edge framework​

You will want to use a head.mrb file build from recent source

cd <LIBRA SOURCE>/framework
libra move framework release
// will produce a file at framework/releases/head.mrb

After all hosts are configured​

Just start the node:

libra node

Troubleshooting

  • Can your nodes connect to each other on the internet?
  • Do the ports in the validator.yaml file match on all nodes?
  • Are the ports open on each host?
  • (Docker) are you extra sure the ports are doing what you think?