How nodes find each other

A new node finds the network through bootnodes: discovery-only servers that answer one question — who else is here? — and store no chain data.

Hostnames, not addresses

CreditChain’s bootstrap peers are compiled into the clients by hostname and resolved each time a node starts. An operator’s address can change without notice; a hostname follows it, while a literal address in a config file quietly points at whoever holds that address next.

The same rule applies to your own configuration:

• Do not set an external IP by hand. creditchaind resolves its public address itself.
• If you run several nodes on one host, give each its own ports, and let each advertise the port it is actually published on. A node that announces a port it is not reachable on looks exactly like a network fault.

Behind a home router

Outbound connections are enough to follow the chain. Accepting inbound peers helps the network: forward the peer-to-peer ports (TCP and UDP) to the machine running the node.