CENNZnet blockchain

The key part of CENNZnet is undoubtedly the blockchain. The CENNZnet blockchain, also known as the MainNet, can be seen as the central component with which all the other components interact. The blockchain works a bit like a database. It processes transactions and stores this data in blocks. These blocks inform the blockchain of the current state.

Within the blockchain are the core modules and internal logic.  

Core modules

CENNZnet is unique in having a number of core modules within the blockchain protocol. These modules provide prebuilt core services which most DApps will need. DApp devs can use the modules on a Plug’n’Play basis, choosing the functionalities they need and which they don’t. The core modules include:

• EVM
• Generic Asset
• CENNZX
• Attestation
• Doughnut
• Staking
• Messaging
• NFT

You can find out what each module does in more detail here. 

Internal logic

The blockchain also contains its own internal logic. Specifically, it works on a Proof of Stake consensus mechanism and uses a system of decentralised governance. 

TestNet and Sandboxing

Attached to the main blockchain and working in tandem with it are the testnet components:

• Nikau (TestNet): Nikau is our TestNet. This is CENNZnet’s pre-production environment where DApps and functions can be tested before being deployed onto the main blockchain (Mainnet). The TestNet provides a similar environment to the MainNet and it’s a safe place to fail. On the TestNet developers don’t need to spend actual MainNet currencies, test currencies can be issued using the CENNZnet Faucet (more on this in a bit).

• Rata (Sandbox):  Rata is the local sandbox environment. You can also use a genesis file to start a small sandbox chain for testing locally. It can start a chain of nodes that runs in docker containers, all on your local machine. This allows you to test complex scenarios that aren’t possible to test with a development chain, which consists of 1 node only. To connect to Rata, you will need to use the custom endpoint, wss://kong2.centrality.me/public/rata/ws.

Tools to view and interact with the CENNZnet blockchain

There are three key tools required to interact with the CENNZnet blockchain. These are useful for both DApp developers but also community users who want to see their transactions and results of processes like staking. 

• CENNZnet Account (browser extension or Metamask): The CENNZnet browser extension allows users to manage their CENNZnet accounts and sign transactions with their CENNZnet accounts. You will need to download the CENNZnet browser extension from the Chrome web store in order to interact with the network. 
  If you already have a Metamask account you can choose to link this to CENNZnet and interact with the CENNZnet blockchain using a familiar platform.

• The App Hub: The CENNZnet App Hub is a central hub for end-users to interact with CENNZnet’s key functionalities and tools. You can use the App Hub to swap tokens, take part in liquidity trading or use the Emery Token Bridge. 

• CENNZnet UI (CENNZnet.io): CENNZnet is a browser-based UI tool for interacting with the CENNZnet blockchain: cennznet.io. Using the UI you can find useful tools for crypto investors, such as managing accounts and transferring funds. It also serves as an important development tool for CENNZnet DApp developers. cennznet.io is the fastest way to read data stored on the chain, submit transactions to modify the data and to inspect the recent blocks and events on the chain.

• Uncover: UNcover is an explorer that searches for historical transactions, addresses, prices and other activities on CENNZnet MainNet. This information may not be stored on a single node and is read-only.

Tools to develop on CENNZnet

As well as the above tools for reading and interacting with the blockchain, developers will also need to use the following to successfully test and deploy their DApps. 

• Faucet: The CENNZnet Faucet is a service for issuing currencies to be used in the TestNet(Nikau). This means that devs don’t have to use real currencies to test products before they go onto the MainNet.

• Docker images: Docker images are snapshots of blockchain at certain times. This is useful for getting a fast update on the current state of the chain or for checking historical transactions.  

Blockchain bridges

Also known as a token bridge, blockchain bridges are connections that allow the transfer of tokens and/or arbitrary data from one blockchain to another. CENNZnet current has one bridge:

Emery Bridge

The Emery token bridge connects CENNZnet to Ethereum allowing our community to easily transfer ERC-20 tokens, Native ETH, data and assets (like NFTs) between the two chains.

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You can learn more about how to set up each CENNZnet component and get started with DApp development on the CENNZnet Wiki.