Neo (N3) Neo Legacy
Show / Hide Table of Contents

Main Net and Test Net

The Neo node runs on the main net by default. The Main net is a block chain network that has been officially launched and operates independently.

Neo also provides the Test net where developers can develop, debug, and test their programs. Testing programs on the testnet incurs the network fee of test GAS (not real GAS). Test net NEO and GAS can be applied free of charge on the official website (see detailed instructions below).

All the block data of the test net are independent of the main net. If you want to develop some simple smart contracts or try to register assets, test net is sufficient. After the testing is complete, the development can be moved into the Neo mainnet.

Test net features

  • Asset registration, asset distribution, contract execution, etc. (Does not consume real money)

  • Globalized network that is deployed on Internet.

  • Blocks, transactions, and other information in the test net can be easily viewed in the blockchain browser.

  • Smart contracts deployed in the test net can be invoked by anyone in the world.

  • Test net can not be used as a real environment for commercial applications.

Switching between test net and main net

After downloading Neo client, you can switch the client to connect to test net by modifying the client configuration file. Here we take Neo-GUI for an example:

Neo3 clients can only connect to test net for the moment as the Neo3 main net has not been launched yet.

  1. Copy the contents of the program directory under the protocol.testnet.json into protocol.json as shown.

image

  1. Copy the contents of the program (GUI) directory config.testnet.json into the config.json as shown in Figure

image

Applying for Test GAS and Test NEO

If you are a developer, you can ask for Neo and GAS on the TestNet. You will need a certain amount of test GAS to deploy or invoke a contract in the TestNet.

Obtaining test coin automatically

You can request up to 1000 GAS and 1000 Neo per day via NGD faucet .

Applying for test coin from Neo website

If you need more than that, you'll have to request it from Neo website manually.

Step 1 - Look up your public key

In Neo the address and PUBLIC key are different. The PUBLIC KEY is shown when you view the PRIVATE KEY. (Never share your PRIVATE key.)

image

Step 2 - Fill in the request

Complete the form here: https://neo.org/testcoin/apply specifying your EMAIL and PUBLIC key. After a day or so you will be sent an email containing a "Multi-party signed address" and the PUBLIC key of the sender. See Multi-party signed address .

Step 3 - Create a multi-party signed address

To access the assets, in your Neo-gui you will create a "Multi-party signed address" in your wallet using

  • The "Multi-party signed address" (from the email)

  • The PUBLIC KEY of the sender (from the email)

  • Your PUBLIC KEY (from STEP 1 above)

  • From Neo-GUI, right-click on the account area and select Create Contract Address -> Multi-Signature .

    image

  • In the public key list, enter the public keys used for signing (PUB Key of sender and your PUB key)

  • Specify the minimal number of signatures to be 1 .

  • Click confirm .

The contract address specified in the email is created and displayed in the account page.

image

You will see the quantity of Neo and/or GAS shown beside the Contact address.

Step 4 - Transfer the assets to another account

  1. Select the Contact address by clicking on it.

  2. From Neo-GUI menu, select Transaction -> Transfer

    image

  3. Select the Asset and the amount to send and the account you want to transfer the asset to.

Alternatives to the TestNet

Testing your Smart Contract on the TestNet is a good idea before publishing it on the live network but earlier in your development cycle you should consider using other methods to test your Smart Contacts such as running you own private chain, for more information, refer to Setting up private chain .