In this post, I am going to share about what genesis.json file is and how you start a private network with Geth. Geth is a Go-Implementation of the Ethereum Protocol.
What Will I Learn?
- What is genesis.json
- How to start your private network with Geth
Requirements
- Geth Installed (if you have not installed Geth, read my previous post)
- basic understanding of blockchain and genesis block
- Preferred UNIX based platform (Linux/Mac)
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tutorial Contents
genesis.json
genesis.json is a JSON file that stores how the genesis block looks like, to initialize your own private blockchain.
The name genesis.json is by convention.
{
"config": {
"chainId": 33,
"homesteadBlock": 0,
"eip155Block": 0,
"eip158Block": 0
},
"nonce": "0x0000000000000033",
"timestamp": "0x0",
"parentHash": "0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000",
"gasLimit": "0x8000000",
"difficulty": "0x100",
"mixhash": "0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000",
"coinbase": "0x3333333333333333333333333333333333333333",
"alloc": {}
}
genesis.json
config- Configuration to describe the chain.nonce- Need to be used to initialize the blockchain.timestamp- State when was the block generated.parentHash- Hash of the entire parent block header.gasLimit- Ether require gas to make transaction. However, there is an upper limit for the gas payment. The higher the limit, the more complicated smart contract can be done.difficulty- Defines how difficult to mine a new block.mixhash- combined with nonce.coinbase- Your address.alloc- Preallocated Ether accounts
To read more about details of each of the parameters, check out this stackexchange answer.
Create a Genesis Block
The directory currently look like this:
/
|- genesis.json
Run geth --datadir=./chaindata/ init ./genesis.json to generate the chaindata which will set genesis block for your chain.
It will generate a chaindata file. From there, run geth --datadir=./chaindata/ to start the geth
Then the private network has started.
Now, look for the ipc (for mac/linux) location.
INFO [01-31|11:39:40] IPC endpoint opened: /Volumes/HDD/files/blockchain/ethereum/chaindata/geth.ipc
You have successfully created a genesis block! In the next tutorial, I will share about getting started with EthereumTestRPC NPM library.
Curriculum
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Hey @superoo7 I am @utopian-io. I have just upvoted you!
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hey so nice I really like your post! Lets make steemit together to a better place with our content! I would like to read a bit more about you? Look my Introduceyourself like I do it. I went to jail because of cryptos : https://steemit.com/bitcoin/@mykarma/3-jail-review-from-colombia-to-madrid-and-then-straight-to-jailng-time
Does every cryptocurrency, e.g. Bitcoin, Etherium has only one genesis block or multiple genesis block?
Genesis block also known as the first block , so normally it is the only one.
And not all cryptocurrency using blockchain, for my tutorial is mainly deal with ethereum.
Thanks.
I am learning crypto and blockchain, I have read up some info online, and also your 1# and 2# posting. Your postings are too technical for me at the moment. But it is good for me to expose to such technical staff.
Thank you for the contribution. It has been approved.
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join me and lets build the fastest blockchain!!
I guess you are way too hyped! I am still learning using smart contract on top of ethereum, still far away from
that LOL 😂