Getting Started with Stratis Blockchain Development: Running Your First Stratis Node

Stratis is a powerful and flexible blockchain development platform designed to enable businesses and developers to build, test, and deploy blockchain applications with ease. If you’re looking to start developing for the Stratis blockchain, the first crucial step is to run a Stratis node. This article will guide you through the process, providing a clear and concise roadmap to get your development journey underway.

Introduction to Stratis Blockchain

Stratis offers a blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) platform, which simplifies the development, deployment, and maintenance of blockchain solutions. Built on a foundation of the C# programming language and the .NET framework, Stratis provides an accessible environment for developers familiar with these technologies. Key features of Stratis include smart contracts, sidechains, and full node capabilities, all designed to streamline blockchain development and integration.

Why Run a Stratis Node?

Running a Stratis node is essential for several reasons:

• Network Participation: Nodes form the backbone of the blockchain network, validating and relaying transactions.
• Development and Testing: A local node provides a controlled environment for testing and debugging blockchain applications.
• Decentralization: By running a node, you contribute to the decentralization and security of the Stratis network.

Prerequisites

Before setting up a Stratis node, ensure you have the following:

• A computer with a modern operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
• .NET Core SDK installed.
• Sufficient disk space (at least 10 GB) for the blockchain data.
• A stable internet connection.

Step-by-Step Guide to Running a Stratis Node

1. Install .NET Core SDK

First, install the .NET Core SDK, which is necessary to run the Stratis Full Node. You can download it from the official .NET Core website. Follow the installation instructions for your specific operating system. I recommend having all DotNetCore SDKs because the source code for most of the Stratis solutions target really an old framework version like.NET Core 2.1 so it’s better to have multiple choices of framework in case you need to re-target for compatibility

.NET Core Versions

• .NET Core 3.1 (LTS)
• .NET Core 3.0
• .NET Core 2.2
• .NET Core 2.1 (LTS)
• .NET Core 2.0
• .NET Core 1.1
• .NET Core 1.0

Installation Links

Download .NET Core SDKs

2. Clone the Stratis Full Node Repository

Next, clone the Stratis Full Node repository from GitHub. Open a terminal or command prompt and run the following command:

git clone https://github.com/stratisproject/StratisFullNode.git

This command will download the latest version of the Stratis Full Node source code to your local machine.

3. Build the Stratis Full Node

Navigate to the directory where you cloned the repository:

cd StratisFullNode

Now, build the Stratis Full Node using the .NET Core SDK:

dotnet build

This command compiles the source code and prepares it for execution.

4. Run the Stratis Full Node

Once the build process is complete, you can start the Stratis Full Node. Use the following command to run the node:

cd Stratis.StraxD
dotnet run -testnet

This will initiate the Stratis node, which will start synchronizing with the Stratis blockchain network.

5. Verify Node Synchronization

After starting the node, you need to ensure it is synchronizing correctly with the network. You can check the node’s status by visiting the Stratis Full Node’s API endpoint in your web browser:

http://localhost:37221/api

here is more information about the possible ports for the API depending on which network you want to use (test or main) and which command did you use to start up the API

Swagger
To run the API in a specific port you can use the following code

StraxTest (dotnet run -testnet -apiport=38221)

http://localhost:38221/Swagger/index.html

StraxTest

http://localhost:27103/Swagger

StraxMain

http://localhost:17103/Swagger

You should see a JSON response indicating the node’s current status, including its synchronization progress.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully set up and run your first Stratis node. This node forms the foundation for your development activities on the Stratis blockchain. With your node up and running, you can now explore the various features and capabilities of the Stratis platform, including deploying smart contracts, interacting with sidechains, and building blockchain applications.

As you continue your journey, remember that the Stratis community and its comprehensive documentation are valuable resources. Engage with other developers, seek guidance, and contribute to the growing ecosystem of Stratis-based solutions. Happy coding!

 

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