Bitnodes for node on testnet

I have used the bitnode's own script to install a full node on an Ubuntu 16.04 Digitalocean droplet. I can verify that my node is up and running by checking the IP with port 8333 on Bitnode's check node. However I need a testnet node so I next added the following line to the config file:

testnet=1

It seems the above line produces the desired effect of turning the node into a testnet node and this can be verified through bitcoin-cli commands. But the node will no longer be accessible from Bitnode. Is Bitnode designed to only work with nodes on the main blockchain or am I missing a necessary step?

Majid Fouladpour

Posted 2019-01-18T14:50:11.313

Reputation: 63

Answers

Testnet is a distinct although largely similar protocol. Bitnodes would need to specifically support it for it to work with it. I can't find any evidence that bitnodes has any testnet support or a testnet edition.

G. Maxwell

Posted 2019-01-18T14:50:11.313

Reputation: 6 039

This would explain the situation, thank you. Do you have reference on where the two protocols diverge? – Majid Fouladpour – 2019-02-11T10:50:14.827

There are many small differences, mostly configured via settings in https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/master/src/chainparams.cpp#L182

– G. Maxwell – 2019-02-11T11:22:23.763

testnet is usually running on port 18333. did you check that port?

Rene Pickhardt

Posted 2019-01-18T14:50:11.313

Reputation: 6 565

1I thought it was 18332. – MCCCS – 2019-02-09T17:14:17.080

1Sorry for the late response. Using port 18333 has no effect unfortunately and I still get "178.128.162.252:18333 is unreachable." – Majid Fouladpour – 2019-02-10T15:21:08.800