# Blockchain Networks: Mainnet, Testnet, Stagenet
Blockchain network consists of nodes interacting with each other.
The following blockchain networks are based on the Waves protocol:
- Mainnet is the core Waves network where cryptocurrencies possess real economic value and nodes that generate blocks are rewarded with native coins from the protocol and also the transaction fees paid by the participants.
- Testnet is the network for application testing. Testnet provides the same functionalities as Mainnet. However, on Testnet you can obtain WAVES tokens for free using Faucet, so you can run in your project without the risk of losing real money.
- Stagenet is the experimental network. Waves team tests protocol functionalities on Stagenet before they are deployed on Testnet and Mainnet, so you can try out the new features and give your feedback. If you want to launch a Stagenet node, get WAVES tokens on lease, ask a question or leave a comment, join the stagenet channel in Discord. Please note: experimental functionalities may work unstably and blockchain height rollbacks are possible.
Moreover, you can setup your own custom blockchain network based on WAVES protocol.
⚠️ Note that blockchain data (accounts, transactions, tokens) are different in networks.
# Connecting Node to Blockchain Network
You can lunch your node in any blockchain network. Select the network using the waves.blockchain.type setting in the node configuration file. For more information about the configuration file, see the Node Configuration article.
For installing a node, see the Install Waves Node article. For starting your own blockchain network, see the Custom Blockchain article.
# Chain ID
Chain ID is a symbol that is passed over a network during a handshake and allows nodes not to connect to the nodes of other networks.
The chain ID is used while building account addresses, therefore, an address on one blockchain network cannot be used on another network. The chain ID is also indicated in transactions so it is impossible to move transactions between different blockchain networks.
| Blockchain Network | Chain ID |
|---|---|
| Mainnet | W or 87 (ASCII code of W) |
| Testnet | T or 84 (ASCII code of T) |
| Stagenet | S or 83 (ASCII code of S) |
| Custom | Symbol chosen by the network owner and specified in the address-scheme-character setting |
# Tools
The applications that make up the Waves ecosystem provide the ability to work with different blockchain networks.
# API of Pool of Public Nodes
For the convenience of users and developers who are not yet ready to launch their own node, the Waves team provides the pool of nodes with public API. You can use the API to read blockchain data and send transactions.
The addresses of the pool of public nodes are as follows:
| Mainnet | https://nodes.wavesnodes.com/ |
| Testnet | https://nodes-testnet.wavesnodes.com/ |
| Stagenet | https://nodes-stagenet.wavesnodes.com/ |
# Waves.Exchange
Waves.Exchange is a decentralized exchange developed by Waves.Exchange team.
| Mainnet | https://waves.exchange/ |
| Testnet | https://testnet.waves.exchange/ |
| Stagenet | — |
# API of Waves.Exchange Matcher
The addresses for order sending and market data obtaining are as follows:
| Mainnet | https://matcher.waves.exchange/ |
| Testnet | https://matcher-testnet.waves.exchange |
| Stagenet | — |
# Waves Explorer
Waves Explorer is a service for browsing blockchain data.
| Mainnet | https://wavesexplorer.com/ Click  and switch to  |
| Testnet | https://wavesexplorer.com/ Click and switch to  |
| Stagenet | https://stagenet.wavesexplorer.com/ |
| Custom | Click  and enter the node URL, then switch to  (applicable for HTTPS node only)Or run an instance of Waves Explorer in Docker, see the instruction |
# Faucet: Obtaining Tokens
| Mainnet | — |
| Testnet | Request 10 WAVES |
| Stagenet | Request 10 WAVES |
# Waves IDE
Waves IDE is an online environment for developing and testing Ride smart contracts.
| Mainnet | https://waves-ide.com/ Click  and check Mainnet |
| Testnet | https://waves-ide.com/ Click and check Testnet |
| Stagenet | https://stagenet.waves-ide.com/ |
| Custom | Click , scroll to the Custom nodes section, and specify the node URL and chain ID (applicable for HTTPS node only) |
# Waves Keeper
Waves Keeper is a browser extension for transaction signing and account keys management.
| Mainnet | In Waves Keeper window switch to  |
| Testnet | In Waves Keeper window switch to  |
| Stagenet | In Waves Keeper window switch to  |
| Custom | In Waves Keeper window switch to  . Specify the node URL and matcher URL |