# Environments

A node can be configured to connect to different Creditcoin networks. Each network has different configurations and use cases.

|               |                                               |                                               |                                   |
| ------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------- |
| Overview      | Local/public development environment          | Public testing environment                    | Live production environment       |
| Users         | Developers                                    | Developers & testers                          | End users                         |
| Function      | To develop new features & improvements        | To test new features & improvements           | To secure credit history on-chain |
| Tokens        | Test tokens with no real world economic value | Test tokens with no real world economic value | Real tokens with economic value   |
| Chain history | Wiped frequently                              | Wiped occasionally                            | Preserved                         |

The network configuration is specified using the `--chain` flag and the `--bootnodes` flag, which specifies the initial nodes to connect to. 

### **ChainSpecs** <a href="#chainspecs" id="chainspecs"></a>

Creditcoin networks are configured using a `ChainSpec`. The `ChainSpec` is a JSON file that defines the initial configuration of the network. To use a `ChainSpec`, use the `--chain` flag when starting the node.

### **Bootnodes** <a href="#bootnodes" id="bootnodes"></a>

Bootnodes are nodes that are always on and can be used to bootstrap new nodes and discover other nodes in the network. To use a bootnode, use the `--bootnodes` flag when starting the node followed by the bootnode's address.

### ChainSpec and Bootnode values to use for Mainnet and Testnet

For a list of available bootnodes, please refer to the Mainnet and Testnet quickstart documents.

* [Mainnet Quickstart](https://docs.creditcoin.org/environments/mainnet)
* [Testnet Quickstart](https://docs.creditcoin.org/environments/testnet)