I am interested in creating a private Ethereum chain. My objective is to develop different prototypes and techniques based on the Ethereum blockchain without the risk of tampering with real Ether assets. This private chain will be useful for testing and feature development before rolling out to the real Ethereum network. I have a basic understanding of public blockchains, Ethereum, Smart contracts, and coding but I don’t know how can I set up a private Ethereum chain.
I have installed the latest version of Ethereum and its respective software. However, I’m a bit confused about what to do next. I know I need to generate a genesis block and allocate some starting Ether but I need clear guidance on how to proceed. Also, how do I ensure the privacy of the chain, ensuring it’s accessible only by the intended individuals?
Moreover, is it necessary to have more than one computer node to test out the protocols and transactions in the Ethereum chain? Can a single computer be used to serve as multiple nodes and how to deal with consensus issues? Any tips and suggestions on how to do this would be really helpful.
