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Bitcoin => Bitcoin Technical Support => Topic started by: RapTarX on November 20, 2019, 08:45:25 AM



Title: How to create Lightning Network Channel- TestNet
Post by: RapTarX on November 20, 2019, 08:45:25 AM
I have received a small amount of testnet BTC for testing Lightning Network. I'm using Eclair to figure out how LN works.
How can I create a channel. I guess for testnet, the node are different. I have tried with a main net node which says "Can't create channel".
My balance is ~0.002 BTC. Would appreciate if someone help me to learn the Lightning Network on testnet. Was suggested by BitCryptex to use the testnet.
By the way, why don't you try out the Lightning Network? You can download Eclair Mobile Testnet from the Play Store if you have an Android device. No risk involved.


Title: Re: How to create Lightning Network Channel- TestNet
Post by: Pmalek on November 20, 2019, 08:51:02 AM
See if this helps > https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2833635.0
It is quite a big post but you should get the info you need from there.


Title: Re: How to create Lightning Network Channel- TestNet
Post by: mocacinno on November 20, 2019, 08:51:43 AM
I've actually posted a video walktrough for the mainnet on one of my sites:
https://unblur.ninja/walktrough_eclair_android.php

It's for an older version of eclair, and you'll need to find a testnet node to connect to, but the main steps should be more or less the same.

If you have specific questions/problems, don't hesitate to ask!


Title: Re: How to create Lightning Network Channel- TestNet
Post by: Rath_ on November 20, 2019, 08:51:46 AM
I guess for testnet, the node are different. I have tried with a main net node which says "Can't create channel".

You're right. You can't connect with a mainnet client to a testnet node and vice-versa. Use the testnet version of 1ml.com (https://1ml.com/testnet) to choose an appropriate node. Once your channel is active, you can try to spend your coins on a coffee (https://starblocks.acinq.co/#/) or an article (https://testnet.yalls.org/).



Title: Re: How to create Lightning Network Channel- TestNet
Post by: LoyceV on November 20, 2019, 09:23:26 AM
How can I create a channel. I guess for testnet, the node are different. I have tried with a main net node which says "Can't create channel".
I think you're overthinking it. I've used it, and this is what I did:
1. Install Eclair Mobile Testnet (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fr.acinq.eclair.wallet&hl=en) on Android.
2. Click Channels.
3. Click the green + on the bottom-right corner.
4. Open a channel to ACINQ NODE (tick "Request liquidity from this node", this has a fee but it's on Testnet anyway)

If you want to test it, feel free to post a (small) payment request. You'll need to select "Enable receive over Lightning" under Settings first.


Title: Re: How to create Lightning Network Channel- TestNet
Post by: RapTarX on November 20, 2019, 01:45:34 PM
4. Open a channel to ACINQ NODE (tick "Request liquidity from this node", this has a fee but it's on Testnet anyway)
It works  :D I have created a channel with ACINQ Node (Had no idea what it is and that's why I didn't try with it.). Successfully created a channel but it says I can receive 0 BTC while I can send the amount I have entered with - Minimum Channel Reserve. I have attached an image below.


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If you want to test it, feel free to post a (small) payment request. You'll need to select "Enable receive over Lightning" under Settings first.
Since I can't receive, I would love if you create a payment request and I would test it for the first time. Please make sure the payment request expiration is maximum (is it 6 hours?).


Title: Re: How to create Lightning Network Channel- TestNet
Post by: Rath_ on November 20, 2019, 01:53:53 PM
Successfully created a channel but it says I can receive 0 BTC while I can send the amount I have entered with - Minimum Channel Reserve. I have attached an image below.

I have already mentioned it in my yesterday's reply to your guide. It's completely normal. You can't receive payments over the LN if you don't spend anything. You can't have more coins in the channel than its initial balance. You have to spend amount matching the channel reserve in order to be able to receive payments. You can read an easier to understand explanation here (https://lightning-wallet.com/using-lightning-wallet#using-lightning-wallet).


Title: Re: How to create Lightning Network Channel- TestNet
Post by: LoyceV on November 20, 2019, 02:09:02 PM
Successfully created a channel but it says I can receive 0 BTC
That's why I said you should "Request liquidity from this node".

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Since I can't receive, I would love if you create a payment request and I would test it for the first time.
Even easier: order a Blockaccino at Starblocks (https://starblocks.acinq.co/)!


Title: Re: How to create Lightning Network Channel- TestNet
Post by: RapTarX on November 20, 2019, 02:21:18 PM
I paid, I did with Lightning Network. It's really an exciting feeling.

https://i.imgur.com/091Y08J.png

That's why I said you should "Request liquidity from this node".
I did tick that option; what if I didn't tick that?

Quote
Even easier: order a Blockaccino at Starblocks (https://starblocks.acinq.co/)!
Fucking awesome. It was instant, within second. I can't imagine that it can be such faster while with maximum fees we had to wait 10 minutes at least.

A payment request-

https://i.imgur.com/QWV4RJ4.jpg

Let me know if it's enough small, otherwise, I will create another.

I've sent 1000 satoshi. For future real use: you shouldn't post your balance :P

You can get 0.01 tBTC here (https://testnet-faucet.mempool.co/), so you can open another channel and get incoming capacity.
I received it successfully, thanks a lot for helping me. Thanks for the suggestion. It was a great experience indeed. Now, I will check it a little more and try with main net with the gambling site you mentioned in other thread.


Title: Re: How to create Lightning Network Channel- TestNet
Post by: LoyceV on November 20, 2019, 02:32:21 PM
Let me know if it's enough small, otherwise, I will create another.
I've sent 1000 satoshi. For future real use: you shouldn't post your balance :P

You can get 0.01 tBTC here (https://testnet-faucet.mempool.co/), so you can open another channel and get incoming capacity.