Networks

Torsten can connect to any Cardano network. Each network is identified by a unique magic number used during the N2N handshake.

Network Magic Values

Network	Magic	Description
Mainnet	`764824073`	The production Cardano network
Preview	`2`	Fast-moving testnet for early feature testing
Preprod	`1`	Stable testnet that mirrors mainnet behavior

Connecting to Mainnet

Create a config-mainnet.json:

{
  "Network": "Mainnet",
  "NetworkMagic": 764824073
}

Create a topology-mainnet.json:

{
  "bootstrapPeers": [
    { "address": "backbone.cardano.iog.io", "port": 3001 },
    { "address": "backbone.mainnet.cardanofoundation.org", "port": 3001 },
    { "address": "backbone.mainnet.emurgornd.com", "port": 3001 }
  ],
  "localRoots": [{ "accessPoints": [], "advertise": false, "valency": 1 }],
  "publicRoots": [{ "accessPoints": [], "advertise": false }],
  "useLedgerAfterSlot": 177724800
}

Run the node:

torsten-node run \
  --config config-mainnet.json \
  --topology topology-mainnet.json \
  --database-path ./db-mainnet \
  --socket-path ./node-mainnet.sock \
  --host-addr 0.0.0.0 \
  --port 3001

Tip: For a faster initial mainnet sync, consider using Mithril snapshot import first.

Connecting to Preview Testnet

Create a config-preview.json:

{
  "Network": "Testnet",
  "NetworkMagic": 2
}

Create a topology-preview.json:

{
  "bootstrapPeers": [
    { "address": "preview-node.play.dev.cardano.org", "port": 3001 }
  ],
  "localRoots": [{ "accessPoints": [], "advertise": false, "valency": 1 }],
  "publicRoots": [{ "accessPoints": [], "advertise": false }],
  "useLedgerAfterSlot": 102729600
}

Run the node:

torsten-node run \
  --config config-preview.json \
  --topology topology-preview.json \
  --database-path ./db-preview \
  --socket-path ./node-preview.sock \
  --host-addr 0.0.0.0 \
  --port 3001

Connecting to Preprod Testnet

Create a config-preprod.json:

{
  "Network": "Testnet",
  "NetworkMagic": 1
}

Create a topology-preprod.json:

{
  "bootstrapPeers": [
    { "address": "preprod-node.play.dev.cardano.org", "port": 3001 }
  ],
  "localRoots": [{ "accessPoints": [], "advertise": false, "valency": 1 }],
  "publicRoots": [{ "accessPoints": [], "advertise": false }],
  "useLedgerAfterSlot": 76924800
}

Run the node:

torsten-node run \
  --config config-preprod.json \
  --topology topology-preprod.json \
  --database-path ./db-preprod \
  --socket-path ./node-preprod.sock \
  --host-addr 0.0.0.0 \
  --port 3001

Official Configuration Files

Official configuration and topology files for each network are maintained in the Cardano Operations Book:

Preview: book.world.dev.cardano.org/environments/preview/
Preprod: book.world.dev.cardano.org/environments/preprod/
Mainnet: book.world.dev.cardano.org/environments/mainnet/

These include the full genesis files (Byron, Shelley, Alonzo, Conway) required for complete protocol parameter initialization.

Using the CLI with Different Networks

When querying a node connected to a testnet, pass the --testnet-magic flag to the CLI:

# Preview
torsten-cli query tip --socket-path ./node-preview.sock --testnet-magic 2

# Preprod
torsten-cli query tip --socket-path ./node-preprod.sock --testnet-magic 1

# Mainnet (default, --testnet-magic not needed)
torsten-cli query tip --socket-path ./node-mainnet.sock

Multiple Nodes

You can run multiple Torsten instances on the same machine by using different ports, database paths, and socket paths:

# Preview on port 3001
torsten-node run --port 3001 --database-path ./db-preview --socket-path ./preview.sock ...

# Preprod on port 3002
torsten-node run --port 3002 --database-path ./db-preprod --socket-path ./preprod.sock ...

Torsten Documentation