The Network page in the DFX Dashboard provides comprehensive network management capabilities through two powerful interfaces: a user-friendly Network Manager and a direct JSON Editor. This dual approach allows you to manage your global networks.json file with both guided forms and direct configuration editing.

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Overview

The Network page is organized into two main tabs designed for comprehensive network management:

Network Manager

Table-based interface for adding, editing, and managing networks

JSON Editor

Direct JSON editor for advanced configuration and bulk editing

The Network page manages your global networks.json file, which defines networks available to all DFX projects on your system. Changes made here affect all projects using these network configurations.

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Network Manager Interface

The Network Manager provides a table-based interface for managing your network configurations with the following features:

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Table Structure

The network table displays the following information:

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Network Management Actions

Add Network

Create new network configurations with guided forms

Edit Network

Modify existing network settings through type-specific forms

Delete Network

Remove networks with confirmation dialog for safety

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Adding Networks

The Add Network feature provides guided forms for different network types:

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Network Types

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Local Network Configuration

Local networks are used for development and testing on your local machine:

Configuration Options:

  • Network Name: Unique identifier for the local network
  • Bind Address: IP address and port (e.g., “127.0.0.1:4943”)
  • Subnet Type: Application, system, or verified application
  • Type: Typically “ephemeral” for local development

Use Cases:

  • Primary development environment
  • Feature-specific testing networks
  • Isolated development sandboxes
  • Team collaboration environments

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Editing Networks

The Edit Network feature allows you to modify existing network configurations:

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Editing Process

1

Select Network

Click the Edit button for the network you want to modify

2

Modify Settings

Update the network configuration using the appropriate form

3

Save Changes

Apply changes to update the networks.json file

4

Verification

Verify the changes are reflected in the network table

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Edit Features

Form Validation

Real-time validation ensures configuration correctness

Type Detection

Automatically detects network type for appropriate form display

Conflict Prevention

Prevents duplicate names and conflicting configurations

Auto-Save

Changes are automatically saved to the networks.json file

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JSON Editor Interface

The JSON Editor provides direct access to the networks.json file with advanced editing capabilities:

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Editor Features

Syntax Highlighting

JSON syntax highlighting for better readability

Real-time Validation

Immediate validation of JSON syntax and structure

Auto-formatting

Automatic code formatting and indentation

Error Detection

Clear error messages for invalid configurations

Theme Support

Light and dark theme support matching dashboard theme

File Path Display

Shows the exact location of the networks.json file

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Editor Controls

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Advanced Editing

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Bulk Configuration Management

The JSON editor excels at bulk operations:

  • Multiple Networks: Add or modify multiple networks simultaneously
  • Copy/Paste: Copy configurations between environments
  • Template Application: Apply configuration templates
  • Batch Updates: Update common settings across networks

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Understanding networks.json

The networks.json file is a crucial configuration file that defines the networks available for your DFX projects:

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Default Configuration

{
  "local": {
    "bind": "127.0.0.1:4943",
    "type": "ephemeral",
    "replica": {
      "subnet_type": "application"
    }
  }
}

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Configuration Components

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Best Practices

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Troubleshooting

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Additional Resources

DFX Network Configuration

Complete guide to understanding DFX network configuration

IC Interface Specification

Advanced network configuration options and specifications

Mainnet Deployment

Best practices for network management in production

Troubleshooting Guide

Comprehensive troubleshooting for network issues

Ready to explore application logs and monitoring? Continue to the Logs page to learn about log management, monitoring, and debugging capabilities.