Using Bitcoin Core in Regtest on a WiFi Network in the Classroom

As an educator, you are looking for a practical way to introduce your students to the world of Bitcoin and Regtest. One exciting option is to set up a WiFi network in your classroom that allows students to use Bitcoin Core in a controlled environment. In this article, we will explore how to use Bitcoin Core in Regtest using a WiFi network.

Background

Regtest is a command line tool developed by Nick Szabo that allows users to test their local Bitcoin blockchain without the need for a full node or mining hardware. With Regtest, students can run simple transactions and observe the process of block creation without having to worry about the complexities of running a full node.

Bitcoin Core, on the other hand, is the software that runs the entire Bitcoin network. It is an implementation of a full node that allows users to join the Bitcoin network and access various features such as transaction verification, wallet management, and more.

Setting Up Your Classroom WiFi

To set up your classroom WiFi using Regtest with Bitcoin Core, you will need:

• Laptop or desktop with an internet connection

  : Students will use these devices to interact with Regtest.

• Bitcoin Core installed on your laptop or desktop: You can download and install Bitcoin Core from [

• Regtest installed on your laptop or desktop: You can download and install Regtest from [

Setting Up Your Classroom Bitcoin Core

To use Bitcoin Core with Regtest, you will need to set up a testnet environment that will allow students to generate coins and send transactions. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Start the Bitcoin Core Daemon: Run bitcoincore-cli start to start the Bitcoin Core Daemon.

• Set up the Test Network: You can use Regtest to set up the test network by running regtest -addr -port , where is the IP address of your node and is the port you want to use (default is 8333).

• For example, if you have a laptop with an IP address 192.168.1.100 and you want to use port 8333, run regtest -addr 192.168.1.100:8333 -port 8333.

• Generate Coins: Run regtest --getnewaddress to generate a new address for the student.

• Send Transactions: Students can now send transactions using Regtest by running regtest . For example, to send 1 bitcoin from node : to another node :, run regtest -txhash :.

• Watch the block creation process: Regtest will display transaction information including the block height and timestamp.

Tips and Variations

• To enable transaction verification on your test network, you can use the -verbose flag with Regtest: regtest --getnewaddress -verbose.

• You can also set up a multi-node network using Regtest by running regtest --addnode , where is the IP address of another node.

• If you want to add additional features to your testnet, such as transaction fees or block rewards, you will need to modify the Regtest code.

Conclusion

Using Bitcoin Core in a classroom WiFi network with Regtest provides an interactive way for students to learn about blockchain and cryptocurrency. By setting up a testnet environment, you can let students generate coins, send transactions, and observe the block creation process without having to worry about the complexities of running a full node or mining hardware. This hands-on approach will help your students develop fundamental cryptography, programming, and problem-solving skills, preparing them for real-world applications in cryptocurrency.

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