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Network Configuration

This guide explains the Mina Rust Node's network configuration and how you can contribute to improving the network's connectivity.

Default Peers​

The Mina Rust Node includes hardcoded default peers for both mainnet and devnet networks to ensure reliable initial connectivity. These peers are defined in the devnet::default_peers() and mainnet::default_peers() functions in core/src/network.rs.

Mainnet Default Peers​

The mainnet configuration includes a curated list of reliable seed nodes operated by various community members and organizations. These peers help new nodes bootstrap their connection to the Mina Protocol network.

Devnet Default Peers​

The devnet configuration includes seed nodes specifically for development and testing purposes, allowing developers to connect to the test network.

Contributing to Default Peers​

The Mina community welcomes contributions to improve network connectivity by adding reliable seed nodes to the default peer lists.

Requirements for Peer Contribution​

To contribute a seed node to the default peer list, your node should meet these criteria:

  • High Availability: Node should have >99% uptime
  • Stable Network: Reliable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth
  • Proper Configuration: Correctly configured Mina Protocol node
  • Long-term Commitment: Willingness to maintain the node for extended periods
  • Network Security: Secure server setup and regular maintenance

Contribution Process​

1. Via Rust Node Repository​

For Rust node-specific peer additions:

  1. Fork the Rust node repository
  2. Edit the appropriate default peer list in core/src/network.rs:
  3. Add your peer's multiaddr in the format: 
    "/ip4/YOUR_IP/tcp/PORT/p2p/YOUR_PEER_ID",
  4. Submit a pull request with:
    • Description of your node setup
    • Expected uptime and maintenance commitment
    • Contact information for node operator

2. Via Official Seeds Repository​

For broader Mina Protocol peer contributions, consider using the official seeds repository:

  1. Visit the Mina Foundation Seeds Repository
  2. Follow their contribution guidelines:
    • Fork the repository
    • Add your seed to the appropriate network list file
    • Ensure all pre-commit checks pass
    • Submit a pull request with detailed explanation
    • Wait for maintainer review and potential merge

The seeds repository maintains the canonical list of seed nodes accessible at:

Peer Address Format​

Peer addresses use the multiaddr format:

/dns4/hostname/tcp/port/p2p/peer_id
/ip4/ip_address/tcp/port/p2p/peer_id

Where:

  • hostname or ip_address: Your node's network address
  • port: The port your node can be reached out to
  • peer_id: Your node's unique peer identifier

Testing Your Contribution​

Before submitting a peer contribution:

  1. Verify Connectivity: Ensure your node is accessible from the internet
  2. Test Peer Discovery: Confirm other nodes can discover and connect to yours
  3. Check Network Compatibility: Verify your node works with both OCaml and Rust implementations
  4. Monitor Performance: Ensure stable performance under normal network load

Node Operation Best Practices​

When running a seed node:

  • Monitor Uptime: Use monitoring tools to track node availability
  • Regular Updates: Keep your node software up to date
  • Resource Management: Ensure adequate CPU, memory, and bandwidth
  • Security Measures: Implement proper firewall and security configurations
  • Documentation: Maintain documentation of your node's configuration

Community Resources​

Advanced Network Configuration​

Custom Peer Lists​

While the Mina Rust Node uses default peers for initial connectivity, you can configure your node to use custom peer lists using command-line options:

Adding Individual Peers​

Use the --peers (or -P) argument to add individual peers:

mina node \
  --peers /ip4/192.168.1.100/tcp/8302/p2p/12D3KooW... \
  --peers /dns4/seed.example.com/tcp/8302/p2p/12D3KooW...

Loading Peers from File​

Use the --peer-list-file argument to load peers from a local file:

mina node --peer-list-file /path/to/peers.txt

The file should contain one multiaddr per line:

/ip4/192.168.1.100/tcp/8302/p2p/12D3KooWExample1...
/dns4/seed1.example.com/tcp/8302/p2p/12D3KooWExample2...
/ip4/10.0.0.50/tcp/8302/p2p/12D3KooWExample3...

Loading Peers from URL​

Use the --peer-list-url argument to load peers from a remote URL:

mina node --peer-list-url https://example.com/peers.txt

This is useful for loading community-maintained peer lists or using dynamic peer discovery services.

Seed Mode​

Use the --seed flag to run your node as a seed node without connecting to default peers:

mina node --seed

This is useful when running your own network or when you want to rely entirely on custom peer lists.

Network Monitoring​

Monitor your node's network connectivity through:

  • The Mina Rust Node's built-in dashboard
  • Peer connection metrics
  • Network synchronization status

Troubleshooting​

Common Connectivity Issues​

  • Firewall Blocking: Ensure the libp2p port is open
  • NAT Configuration: Configure port forwarding if behind NAT
  • Peer Discovery: Check if your node appears in other nodes' peer lists
  • Network Segmentation: Verify connectivity to multiple network regions

For additional troubleshooting and support, visit our GitHub repository or reach out to the community for assistance.