## **TESTNET ENVIROMENTS**

Cardano testnets sit at the vanguard of network development, providing sandboxed environments for continuing innovation, harnessing the power of the Cardano community to iterate and improve.

Stake pool operators, exchanges, smart contract developers, and projects can engage with different early-stage and pre-production networks to actively test core Cardano functionality prior to deploying on mainnet.

Discover the various testnet environments available on Cardano to select the one best suited for your testing needs.

**Early-stage testing networks**

**SanchoNet**

SanchoNet is an early-stage testnet environment for testing CIP-1694 on-chain governance mechanisms.

- [SanchoNet configurations](https://book.world.dev.cardano.org/env-sanchonet.html)

**Preview**

Preview is the network environment for testing release candidates and expanded test scenarios. Preview is meant for DApps, stake pool operators (SPOs), and exchanges who wish to test mature release candidates.

- [Preview configurations](https://book.world.dev.cardano.org/env-preview.html)

**Late-stage testing networks**

**Pre-production**

Pre-production is the most mature network for testing purposes, which resembles a production (mainnet) environment. It is meant for exchanges, SPOs, pre-deployment DApps, and wallets that wish to test release functionality before deploying on mainnet.

- [Pre-production configurations](https://book.world.dev.cardano.org/env-preprod.html)

**Production network (mainnet)**

Production is the live network, also referred to as mainnet. It features official functionality releases. Exchanges, SPOs, DApps, wallets, and end users can use the mainnet for development, transaction processing, and other needs.

- [Production configurations](https://book.world.dev.cardano.org/env-mainnet.html)

TESTNET ENVIROMENTS

## **GETTING STARTED WITH CARDANO TESTNETS**

To get started and join Cardano testnets, you should install and configure the Cardano node and the command line interface (CLI), configure your testing environment, and generate payment keys and addresses. Note, that you will also need [to get some test ada](https://docs.cardano.org/cardano-testnets/tools/faucet) to test your transactions.

**System requirements**

The Cardano node can run on the following platforms:

- Linux Ubuntu 19.10 (Eoan Ermine) or later
- Linux Mint 19.3 (Tricia) or later
- Linux Debian 10.3 (Buster) or later
- MacOSX 10.14.0 (Mojave) or later
- Windows 10.

**Installing the node**

Download the latest version of the node:

- [Cardano node releases](https://github.com/input-output-hk/cardano-node/releases)

Check your executables. The latest versions of the Cardano node and CLI can be found here:

- [Cardano node executables](https://github.com/input-output-hk/cardano-node#executables)

There are a number of ways to install and run a Cardano node on testnet. The choice of the best-matching method depends on the operating system, level of technical expertise, and personal preferences.

For more information on the various options, see:

- [Installing the node](https://developers.cardano.org/docs/get-started/cardano-node/installing-cardano-node)
- [Cardano course: building the node](https://cardano-course.gitbook.io/cardano-course/handbook/module-1-build-and-run-the-node/building-the-node)
- [Node installation process.](https://developers.cardano.org/docs/operate-a-stake-pool/node-installation-process)

**Configurations**

To start working with the node, it is essential to ensure that the node configuration, genesis, and topology files are correctly set up. In addition, the node will need the configuration files specific to each era that the Cardano network has experienced thus far.

These configurations tell the node how to handle the updates that come with each era (ie, Mary, Alonzo, Babbage, etc). Each new era (implemented using the hard fork combinator technology) introduces protocol changes and new ledger rules. While old configurations are still valid, the new configurations and features offer new rules and improvements. In the Babbage era, for example, Plutus V2 scripts work better than Plutus V1 scripts. Plutus V1 scripts, however, are still supported.

For more details, see:

- [Running the node](https://developers.cardano.org/docs/get-started/cardano-node/running-cardano)
- [Cardano course: running the node and connecting to a network](https://cardano-course.gitbook.io/cardano-course/handbook/module-1-build-and-run-the-node/running-the-node-and-connecting-to-a-network).

**Working with the Cardano testnets**

Note that mainnet and testnet commands are very similar except for the flag usage. For example, when interacting with cardano-cli on mainnet, you should add the `--mainnet` flag. However, to use the same commands on testnets, you should use the `--testnet-magic INTEGER` flag instead.

`INTEGER` indicates the number of the testnet:

- Preview integer is `2`
- Pre-production integer is `1`

**Creating keys and addresses**

To send and receive transactions, you should first create the payment key pair:

```
cardano-cli address key-gen \
--verification-key-file payment.vkey \
--signing-key-file payment.skey
```

This creates two files: `payment.vkey` (the public verification key) and `payment.skey` (the private signing key).

Both verification keys (payment.vkey and stake.vkey) are used to build the address and the resulting payment address is associated with these keys.

To build the address, run:

```
cardano-cli address build \
--payment-verification-key-file payment.vkey \
--stake-verification-key-file stake.vkey \
--out-file payment.addr \
--testnet-magic INTEGER
```

To query the balance of the address, run:

```
cardano-cli query utxo \
--address $(cat payment.addr) \
--testnet-magic INTEGER
```

For more commands, see:

- [Generating wallet keys](https://developers.cardano.org/docs/operate-a-stake-pool/generating-wallet-keys)
- [Creating keys and addresses.](https://cardano-course.gitbook.io/cardano-course/handbook/building-and-running-the-node/create-keys-and-addresses)

![](https://i.imgur.com/Yu1MfgQ.png)

**Funding the address using a faucet**

To fund your testnet address, go to the testnets faucet and request some test ada:

- [The testnet faucet](https://docs.cardano.org/cardano-testnets/tools/faucet)

If you're working in a pre-production environment and have an API key, you can run the following command to fund your address:

`curl -X POST -s 'https://faucet.preprod.world.dev.cardano.org/send-money/YOURADDRESS?api_key=YOURAPIKEY'`

**Creating, signing, and submitting transactions**

You’re now ready to create, sign, and submit transactions on testnets. See the tutorials:

- [Building and signing transactions](https://developers.cardano.org/docs/get-started/create-simple-transaction)
- [Creating simple transactions.](https://cardano-course.gitbook.io/cardano-course/handbook/building-and-running-the-node/create-a-simple-transaction)

GETTING STARTED WITH CARDANO TESTNETS

## **CREATING A LOCAL TESTNET**

A local testnet enables developers and projects building on Cardano to test new features or functionality prior to deployment on global testnet environments. While preview and pre-production environments benefit the wider developer community, a local testnet allows the execution of a hard fork in your own setup and subsequent testing of DApp behavior.

There are several possible solutions to create a local testnet. These include the use of Plutip (a tool for private network creation) or Nix (a tool for package management and system configuration).

**Creating a local testnet using Plutip**

[Plutip](https://github.com/mlabs-haskell/plutip), a tool developed on the Cardano blockchain, facilitates the creation of a private network to run Plutus contracts on.

Plutip can be used in two different ways:

- One option is to use the Plutip tool with a setup that provides an executable for starting a private network and setting up some funded wallets. See [this tutorial](https://github.com/mlabs-haskell/plutip/tree/master/local-cluster).
- Another option is to use a separate branch of Plutip, which provides a modified setup for hard forks and instructions on how to execute them. See [this tutorial](https://github.com/mlabs-haskell/plutip/blob/vasil-local-cluster-cabal-build/vasil-hardfork.md).
- The third option is to run Plutip with cardano-transaction-lib, which provides a declarative interface to local clusters for using in test suites. See [this tutorial](https://github.com/Plutonomicon/cardano-transaction-lib/blob/develop/doc/plutip-testing.md).

*Tutorials referenced above are created by the MLabs team.*

**Creating a local testnet using Nix**

Another possible option is to spin up a local testnet using Nix. For more information, learn about the [packaging principles](https://github.com/input-output-hk/cardano-world/blob/master/docs/explain/packaging-principles.md), and see how to [create a local testnet using Nix](https://github.com/input-output-hk/cardano-world/blob/master/docs/explain/create-testnet.md).

CREATING A LOCAL TESTNET

## **RESOURCES**

**Useful materials**

- [Vasil testnet tutorials](https://github.com/input-output-hk/Vasil-testnet)
- [Alonzo testnet tutorials](https://github.com/input-output-hk/Alonzo-testnet/tree/main/Alonzo-tutorials)
- [Alonzo testnet exercises](https://github.com/input-output-hk/Alonzo-testnet/tree/main/Alonzo-exercises/alonzo-purple)
- [Alonzo explainers](https://github.com/input-output-hk/Alonzo-testnet/tree/main/explainers)
- [Cardano testnet support page](https://iohk.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/900000102203-Shelley-Testnet)
- [Telegram Cardano testnet and stake pool workgroup](https://t.me/CardanoStakePoolWorkgroup)
- [Cardano Stack Exchange](https://cardano.stackexchange.com/)
- [Cardano Discord channel](https://discord.com/channels/826816523368005654/826829738156621895)

**Blog posts**

IOG’s researchers and engineers often post on [IO blog page](https://iohk.io/en/blog/posts/page-1/). Here are a couple of posts which you may find helpful:

- [Stake pools in Cardano](https://iohk.io/en/blog/posts/2018/10/23/stake-pools-in-cardano/)
- [How Pledging will keep Cardano healthy](https://iohk.io/en/blog/posts/2020/05/12/how-pledging-encourages-a-healthy-decentralized-cardano-ecosystem/)
- [Smart contracts here we come](https://iohk.io/en/blog/posts/2021/04/08/smart-contracts-%E2%80%93-here-we-come/)
- [What you need to know about Alonzo](https://iohk.io/en/blog/posts/2021/04/13/plutus-what-you-need-to-know/)
- [Boosting Cardano's throughput with script referencing](https://iohk.io/en/blog/posts/2022/04/13/boosting-cardano-s-throughput-with-script-referencing/)
- [Increasing the transaction throughput of Cardano](https://iohk.io/en/blog/posts/2022/03/21/increasing-the-transaction-throughput-of-cardano/)
- [How we're scaling Cardano in 2022](https://iohk.io/en/blog/posts/2022/01/14/how-we-re-scaling-cardano-in-2022/)
- [Cardano’s approaching Vasil upgrade: what to expect](https://iohk.io/en/blog/posts/2022/07/04/cardano-s-approaching-vasil-upgrade-what-to-expect/)

**Community content**

- [Guild operator guide](https://cardano-community.github.io/guild-operators)
- [Big pey's stake pool video tutorials](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyThQPJpttTJ4r9wUdlWi1DMty4nAT85d)
- [Creating a private testnet using Docker](https://github.com/ItFlyingStart/shelley-private-testnet)
- [Useful setup scripts](https://github.com/gitmachtl/scripts/tree/master/cardano)
- [Video guide: how to create a Cardano stake pool](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyThQPJpttTJ4r9wUdlWi1DMty4nAT85d)
- [Building a Cardano stake pool using CNTools](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN4rSRr7LDk&feature=youtu.be)
- [Vasil hard fork changes explained](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsp9F23dBiM) by dcSpark
- [CoinCashew guide: how to build a Cardano stake pool](https://www.coincashew.com/coins/overview-ada/guide-how-to-build-a-haskell-stakepool-node)
- [StakePoolOperator scripts](https://github.com/gitmachtl/scripts)
- [Plutus Pioneers program notes](https://plutus-pioneer-program.readthedocs.io/en/latest/plutus_pioneer_program.html)
- [Developer resources on Essential Cardano](https://www.essentialcardano.io/developer)


![](https://i.imgur.com/glDt2nc.png)

RESOURCES

## **SUPPORT AND FEEDBACK**

**Support**

To get technical support and help with your issues or questions, you can join a dedicated Telegram channel or go to IOG's [support page](https://iohk.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/900000102203-Shelley-Testnet).

TELEGRAM CHANNEL: CARDANO DEVELOPERS

To reach the developers of Cardano directly on Telegram, join the [@CardanoStakePoolWorkgroup channel.](https://t.me/CardanoStakePoolWorkgroup)

To contact IOG Technical Support, submit a request using the [Submit a request form](https://iohk.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new). You can also click the 'Support' button at the bottom right of your screen. The request form is better if you have a lot to write.

**Feedback**

User feedback is an invaluable and critical aspect of maintaining the Cardano testnet.

We welcome feedback on any issues you have encountered:

- Via [Discord channels](https://discord.com/channels/826816523368005654/826816523964383263) for general questions or discussions.
- Via the [Cardano node issue tracker](https://github.com/input-output-hk/cardano-node/issues) for any bugs or feature requests in the node.
- Via the [Plutus issue tracker](https://github.com/input-output-hk/plutus/issues) for any bugs or feature requests with Plutus.

You can also join ['IO DEV announcements' Telegram channel](https://t.me/IOdevannouncements) to receive key development updates.

SUPPORT AND FEEDBACK

## **TESTNETS FAUCET**

Since Cardano testnets are independent networks, separate from the Cardano mainnet, they require their own tokens.

The faucet is a web-based service that provides test ada to users of the Cardano testnets. While these tokens have no 'real world' value, they enable users to experiment with Cardano testnet features, without having to spend real ada on the mainnet.

**To request tokens using the faucet:**

1 . Select the desired action type:

- Enter the account address where you want to top up funds
- Enter the pool ID in bech32 format (`pool18ttg8k...a1c`) where you want to delegate funds

2 . If you have been issued with an API key, please enter this to access any additional funds you may have been allocated
3 . Click **Receive test ada**
4 . Funds will be in the testnet account you specified within a few minutes.

**Delegation**

If you're an SPO and wish to test stake pool operations on preview or pre-production testnets, you can request some test ada to be delegated to your pool. For this, choose the environment you're working in, and select 'receive pool delegation' from the action menu.


![](blob:https://imgur.com/4f20e13d-6714-4cf1-89cd-25592209a4ec)

add this for lesson text:

**Testnets faucet**

Since Cardano testnets are independent networks, separate from the Cardano mainnet, they require their own tokens.

The faucet is a web-based service that provides test ada to users of the Cardano testnets. While these tokens have no 'real world' value, they enable users to experiment with Cardano testnet features, without having to spend real ada on the mainnet.

To request tokens using the faucet you can go to this link: https://docs.cardano.org/cardano-testnets/tools/faucet

When you have finished using your test tokens, please return them to the faucet so that other members of the community can use them. You can return your test tokens to the relevant address:

TESTNETS FAUCET

## **DAEDALUS WALLET FOR THE CARDANO TESTNESTS**

**Daedalus system requirements**

**Operating systems**

- Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (Only 64-bit Windows is supported)
- macOS 10.13, macOS 10.14, macOS 10.15, macOS 11.1
- Linux OS tested against:
- Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
- Fedora 28
- Aimed at all Linux distributions

**Recommended hardware requirements**

- 64-bit Dual core processors
- 16 GB of RAM
- 25 GB of free drive space
- Broadband Internet connection

![](https://i.imgur.com/c65LCZQ.png)

https://docs.cardano.org/cardano-testnets/tools/daedalus-testnet

DAEDALUS WALLET FOR THE CARDANO TESTNESTS

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