What is Ethereum Network [Complete Guide]

In this Ethereum tutorial, we will study different types of Ethereum Networks. Moreover, we will illustrate the following set of topics.

• What is Ethereum Network
• Types of Ethereum Network
• MainNet in Ethereum
• TestNet in Ethereum
• Private net(s) in Ethereum

What is Ethereum Network

In the previous tutorial, we studied various components of the Etherem Ecosystem. In that, we get to know about Ethereum Network and its importance. So, here, we will discuss Ethereum Network in more detail.

Consider Ethereum as a protocol, and it can have numerous autonomous “networks” that follow it. But, these networks do not communicate with one another. Moreover, the main task for various Ethereum networks is to use them for different purposes. These reasons include development, testing, and production.

But, before deep diving into different types of Ethereum Networks let’s, recall the basics.

An Ethereum network is a collection of multiple nodes connected in a peer-to-peer manner. And these multiple nodes help in the consensus mechanism and maintaining the state of the blockchain.

A running client program is referred to as a “node.” And a client in Ethereum is responsible for verifying transactions in a block and ensuring the network’s security and accuracy.

Read Ethereum Ecosystem

Types of Ethereum Network

Based on the requirements and usage, networks can be classified into three types.

• MainNet: It is used to represent the main Ethereum Network. It is the public production network where real transactions take place.
• TestNet: It is used to represent the Test Ethereum Network. And as the name specifies, it is just like a test network.
• Private Net(s): As the name specified, it is a private network. And it is used to create a private Ethereum network.

Now, let’s discuss each of these types of Ethereum networks in more detail.

MainNet in Ethereum

Ever wondered where these ETH transactions take place in Ethereum. It is the Ethereum MainNet.

The Ethereum MainNet is one of the immense Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) networks. Also, it serves as the industry standard for most Ethereum-based networks.

In July 2015, Ethereum MainNet came into existence as an open-source network with a proof-of-work mechanism. It includes a computing platform and an operating system that makes smart contract protocols easier to use.

Consider Ethereum MainNet as the actual public blockchain network where are all transactions take place. It is a standalone blockchain with its own technology and protocol that runs on its own network.

The phrase “MainNet” refers to the main Ethereurn network or protocol that has been fully created and implemented. It is the place where crypto transactions are broadcasted, verified, and stored on a distributed ledger. And in the case of Ethereum, these crypto transactions take place in ethers (ETH).

Now, there are 2 main ids associated with a network. The first one is the Network ID, and the second one is the Chain ID. These IDs help Ethereum clients to identify the network. For Ethereum MainNet, the value of both Chain ID and Network ID is 1.

Othere examples of MainNet

• Ethereum Ellaism MainNet: It is a proof-of-work network that also allows for web assembly. There are no upfront expenditures or development fees associated with this network. The Chain ID and Network ID for this network is 64.
• Ethereum Mix MainNet: It is another proof-of-work network that uses protocol buffers to encrypt data and IPFS as the underlying storage layer. The Chain ID and Network ID for this network is 76.

Also, read, What is Ethereum Classic

TestNet in Ethereum

The phrase “TestNet” refers to the test Ethereurn network or protocol. It is a test network for developers where they can test smart contracts and DApps before pushing them to the main network in production.

Moreover, one of the biggest advantages of these Ethereum TestNets is that you don’t have to acquire real ETH to pay for gas to perform on-chain transactions. On the TestNet, Ether has no real value and is simply used for network testing.

For Ethereum testing, there is a variety of TestNets accessible. TestNets, such as Kovan and Rinkeby, were created to test Byzantium updates.

Furthermore, because they are test networks, they enable experimentation and study. Ropsten is the main TestNet, and it includes all of the functionality of various smaller and specific TestNets established for specific versions.

Other examples of TestNet

• Ethereum Kovan: It is a test network for proof-of-authority. The network employs a Parity-supported authority round (AuRa) consensus method. The Chain ID and Network ID for this network is 42.
• Ethereum Goerli: It was launched in March 2019 as a proof-of-authority test network. A clique consensus technique is used by Goerli. The Chain ID and Network ID for this network is 6284.

Read Ethereum Nodes and Clients

Private net(s) in Ethereum

As the name implies, this type of network is used to create a small private Ethereum blockchain that is not open to everyone. Now, this private network is usually built by creating a new genesis block.

However, creating a private network is most common, where a private company creates and uses its own permissioned blockchain.

These networks are technically private (i.e., not open to the public), they can nonetheless provide a decentralized structure to members of the network and facilitate an ecosystem on their own.

So, in this tutorial, we have studied different types of Ethereum Networks. Moreover, we have also illustrated the following set of topics.

• What is Ethereum Network
• Types of Ethereum Network
• MainNet in Ethereum
• TestNet in Ethereum
• Private net(s) in Ethereum