Access BetaNet Network using Sandbox

This tutorial describes how to access the BetaNet network using Sandbox. It also covers how to switch between networks and create BetaNet accounts, Also covered is how to dispense funds using the BetaNet dispenser and view the results with a BetaNet explorer.

By default, an Algorand Sandbox installation is configured to run on TestNet. For most users, this is the desired outcome. Developers, however, need access to BetaNet networks sometimes when testing new features which may not be on TestNet yet.

Learn More
Accessing BetaNet with Purestake tutorial or using your own node.
Workspace setup for sandbox documentation.

1. Running BetaNet for the First Time

The quickest method to access BetaNet is to use the Algorand Sandbox. Use this command from the Sandbox

$ ./sandbox up betanet

Enter this command to get a node status

$ ./sandbox goal node status

The genesis ID and hash as BetaNet. Output should look similar to this…

Last committed block: 2906669
Time since last block: 0.0s
Sync Time: 0.0s
Last consensus protocol: https://github.com/algorandfoundation/specs/tree/e5f565421d720c6f75cdd186f7098495caf9101f
Next consensus protocol: https://github.com/algorandfoundation/specs/tree/e5f565421d720c6f75cdd186f7098495caf9101f
Round for next consensus protocol: 2906670
Next consensus protocol supported: true
Genesis ID: betanet-v1.0
Genesis hash: mFgazF+2uRS1tMiL9dsj01hJGySEmPN28B/TjjvpVW0=

2. Updating BetaNet

To update your existing BetaNet, from your sandbox directory run these commands. The BetaNet data directory will be reset.

$ ./sandbox clean 
$ ./sandbox up betanet
$ ./sandbox goal node status

Your output should show the genesis ID and hash for BetaNet.

3. Find Your REST Endpoint’s IP Address

Here are the REST endpoints for Sandbox.

algod:
address: http://localhost:4001
token: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

kmd:
address: http://localhost:4002
token: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

4. Switch Networks

Your data folder should be automatically pointing to the BetaNet Network from Step 1 running this command:

./sandbox up betanet

When switching you will see a y/n prompt when switching from BetaNet to TestNet when using ./sandbox up testnet when in BetaNet mode and vice versa. If you wish to switch from BetaNet to TestNet, reset your Sandbox environment using these commands:

$ ./sandbox clean
$ ./sandbox up testnet

5. Configure Node

If you wish to make custom config settings in your BetaNet configuration, such as isIndexerActive or Archival edit the config.json file in the data folder.

For the BetaNet network, sandbox automatically creates a config.json file located in the node’s data directory.

To view the contents of config.json, from the Sandbox folder type in:

$ cat data/config.json

You should see the Endpoint address and DNSBootstapID values. “DNSBootstrapID”: “<network>.algodev.network” is used for BetaNet.

{
  "EndpointAddress": ":4001",
  "DNSBootstrapID": "<network>.algodev.network"
}

6. Create BetaNet Accounts

Use these commands to create accounts using goal. Accounts created in goal require a wallet. See this link for creating standalone accounts.

$ ./sandbox goal wallet new MyWallet
$ ./sandbox goal wallet -f MyWallet
$ ./sandbox goal account new
$ ./sandbox goal account list 

So for example:

Input

$ ./sandbox goal wallet new MyWalletPlease  

Output

Please choose a password for wallet 'MyWallet':
Please confirm the password: 
Creating wallet...
Created wallet 'MyWallet'
Your new wallet has a backup phrase that can be used for recovery.
Keeping this backup phrase safe is extremely important.
Would you like to see it now? (Y/n): y
Your backup phrase is printed below.
Keep this information safe -- never share it with anyone!

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Input

$ ./sandbox goal wallet -f MyWallet

Output

Set wallet 'MyWallet' to be the default wallet

Input

$ ./sandbox goal account new

Output

Please enter the password for wallet 'MyWallet': 
Created new account with address Q45NLHEP4XSEZB6BF72QMVYR6NPSST5JEY7XMMDYOQBXVO4VIKVJ3GFUCE

Input

$ ./sandbox goal account list 

Output

[offline]       Unnamed-0       Q45NLHEP4XSEZB6BF72QMVYR6NPSST5JEY7XMMDYOQBXVO4VIKVJ3GFUCE    0 microAlgos    *Default

7. Create Accounts Using SDKs

To create accounts using the SDKs see these links using values from Step 3.

Create accounts in JavaScript

Create accounts in Java

Create accounts in Go

Create accounts in Python

8. Dispense Funds

To dispense funds to BetaNet accounts you can use the BetaNet dispenser.

9. Explore BetaNet

To explore BetaNet you can use the BetaNet AlgoExplorer.