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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

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:
  • Name: Unique identifier for the network (e.g., “local”, “ic”, “testnet”)
  • Type: Network type specification (“ephemeral” for temporary, “persistent” for permanent)
  • Subnet Type: Type of subnet (“application”, “system”, “verified_application”)
  • Search: Real-time search across network names and properties
  • Sorting: Click column headers to sort by name or type
  • Actions: Edit and delete buttons for each network entry

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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

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

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Network Types

  • Local Networks
  • IC Networks
  • Custom Networks

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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

Edit Network Dialog 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

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

  • Save Button: Manually save changes to the networks.json file
  • Validation: Ensures JSON is valid before saving
  • Feedback: Toast notifications confirm successful saves
  • Error Handling: Clear error messages for save failures
  • Reset Button: Revert to the last saved state
  • Confirmation: Toast notification confirms reset action
  • Safety: Prevents accidental loss of unsaved changes
  • Quick Recovery: Easily undo unwanted modifications

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Advanced Editing

  • Bulk Operations
  • Complex Configurations
  • Import/Export

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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

  • Network Name: Unique identifier for the network
  • Type: Network persistence (“ephemeral” or “persistent”)
  • Purpose: Defines the intended use and behavior
  • Bind Address: IP and port for local networks
  • Providers: URL endpoints for remote networks
  • Timeout: Connection timeout configurations
  • Subnet Type: Type of subnet for the network
  • Replica Settings: Advanced replica parameters
  • Performance Tuning: Optimization settings

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Best Practices

Organize networks effectively:
  • Descriptive Names: Use clear, purpose-driven network names
  • Consistent Patterns: Establish naming conventions across environments
  • Environment Alignment: Match network names to deployment stages
  • Documentation: Document the purpose of each network configuration
Manage configurations efficiently:
  • Regular Reviews: Periodically review and clean up unused networks
  • Backup Strategy: Maintain backups before major changes
  • Version Control: Consider versioning network configurations
  • Team Coordination: Communicate changes to team members
Ensure secure network configurations:
  • Access Control: Configure binding addresses appropriately
  • Port Management: Use unique ports and avoid conflicts
  • Provider Security: Use trusted provider endpoints
  • Authentication: Implement authentication for shared networks

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Troubleshooting

Common configuration problems:Problem: Changes don’t take effect
  • Use the Save button in the JSON editor
  • Verify JSON syntax is valid
  • Check for error messages in the interface
  • Restart DFX Dashboard if needed
Problem: JSON syntax errors
  • Use the editor’s syntax highlighting
  • Check for missing commas, brackets, or quotes
  • Validate JSON structure in the editor
  • Use the Reset button to revert to last saved state
Network connection problems:Problem: Port conflicts
  • Ensure unique ports for each local network
  • Check for other services using the same ports
  • Use network diagnostic tools to verify port availability
  • Consider using different port ranges for different purposes
Problem: Provider connectivity
  • Test provider URLs for accessibility
  • Check network connectivity to remote providers
  • Verify provider endpoints are correct and active
  • Consider using multiple providers for redundancy
User interface problems:Problem: Table not updating
  • Refresh the Network Manager tab
  • Check if changes were saved properly
  • Verify the networks.json file was updated
  • Restart the application if the issue persists
Problem: Form validation errors
  • Check for duplicate network names
  • Verify all required fields are filled
  • Ensure port numbers are valid and available
  • Review error messages for specific guidance

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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.
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