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Start a Private Node

For development purposes, it can be useful to run one or more private test nodes stimulating network traffic. Starting these nodes from Genesis will also give you 1 billion coins to test transactions with.

To start a private node from genesis:

Node 1:

java -jar minima.jar -data minidata1 -basefolder minidata1 -test -nop2p -genesis

This will start a node on the default ports of 9001-5.

To create a second node to test transactions between two nodes

Node 2:

java -jar minima.jar -data minidata2 -basefolder minidata2 -test -nop2p -clean -port 10001 -connect 127.0.0.1:9001

If you need to quit Minima and wish to restart it without deleting old data, use:

Node 1:

java -jar minima.jar -data minidata1 -basefolder minidata1 -test -nop2p

Node 2:

java -jar minima.jar -data minidata2 -basefolder minidata2 -test -nop2p -connect 127.0.0.1:9001
Parameters used
  • -data [foldername/path] : the data folder where all the config files for this node are stored. Default is a hidden .minima folder under the user's home directory. If you want to specify a folder not in the user's home directory, you must use the complete path.
  • -basefolder [foldername/path] : specify a default file creation / backup / restore folder. Default is the user's home directory. Can be the same as the data folder provided.
  • -nop2p : Disable the automatic P2P system
  • -test : uses test parameters e.g. faster block times
  • -genesis : start the node from the genesis block (automatically uses -clean)
  • -connect [ip:port] : Disable the automatic P2P system and create your own network by manually connecting to this list of host:port

Optional start up parameters​

Expand to see full list of start up parameters

The following start up parameters can optionally be specified when starting your node.

To add/remove parameters after a node has been started, you must quit the node and restart it, adding/removing the required parameters.

[] square brackets indicate where an input is required, the brackets should not be included.

General​

  • -clean : CAREFUL! Clears existing data, starts a new fresh node. All coins will be lost.
  • -port [port] : specify the initial port for Minima to use. Range used will be the specified port +4. Default is 9001-9005.
  • -host [ipaddress] : specify the host IP
  • -allowallip : Allow all IPs for Maxima / Networking. Local IPs won't be allowed otherwise.
  • -archive : Run an Archive node - store all archive data / the cascade to allow for resyncs from this node
  • -daemon : Run in daemon mode with no stdin input (if running Minima as a background service)
  • -isclient : Tells the P2P System that this node can't accept incoming connections
  • -server : Use Server settings - this node can accept incoming connections
  • -desktop : Use Desktop settings - this node can't accept incoming connections

Folders​

  • -data [foldername/path] : the data folder where all the config files for this node are stored. Default is a hidden .minima folder under the user's home directory. If you want to specify a folder not in the user's home directory, you must use the complete path.
  • -basefolder [foldername/path] : specify a default file creation / backup / restore folder. Default is the user's home directory. Can be the same as the data folder provided.

MiniDapp System (mds)​

  • -mdsenable : enable the MiniDapp System (default port 9003)
  • -mdspassword [yourmdspassword] : specify the mds login password
  • -mdsinit [foldername/path] : specify a folder of miniDAPPs
  • -mdswrite [minidapp] : give an initial miniDAPP WRITE access

RPC​

  • -rpcenable : enable remote procedure call
  • -rpcssl : use Self Signed SSL cert to run RPC
  • -rpcpassword [yourrpcpassword] : set Basic Auth password for RPC calls ( Use with SSL / stunnel ). Only secure if used with SSL.
  • -rpcclrf : use CRLF at the end of the RPC headers (NodeJS)

Test nodes​

  • -genesis : start the node from the genesis block (automatically uses -clean)
  • -test : uses test parameters e.g. faster block times
  • -connect [ip:port,ip:port] : Disable the automatic P2P system and create your own network by manually connecting to this list of host:port
  • -nop2p : Disable the automatic P2P system
  • -noconnect : Stops the P2P system from connecting to other nodes until it has been connected to
  • -nosyncibd : Do not sync IBD (for testing)

Mobile​

  • -mobile : Sets this device to a mobile device - used for metrics only
  • -limitbandwidth : Limit the amount sent for archive sync
  • -noshutdownhook : Do not use the shutdown hook (Android)

Debugging​

  • -p2p-log-level-info : Set the P2P log level to info
  • -p2p-log-level-debug : Set the P2P log level to debug

Help​

  • -showparams : Show relevant startup params on launch
  • -help : print help for the start up parameters