---
title: "net"
description: "net_ namespace: network ID, peer count, and node listening status."
sidebar_position: 5
---

# net

The `net` namespace provides network-related methods that are part of the standard Ethereum JSON-RPC API. These methods offer information about the node's network connectivity, peer count, and network version. In Erigon, the net namespace is implemented through the `NetAPI` interface and `NetAPIImpl` struct.

The `net` namespace is enabled by default in Erigon's RPC Daemon and provides essential network information that applications use to understand the node's connectivity status and network configuration.

For API usage refer to the below official resources:

* [https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/apis/json-rpc/](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/apis/json-rpc/)

### Implementation Details

* The net namespace is implemented in `NetAPIImpl` which uses the `ethBackend` to access network information.
* `net_listening` determines connectivity by attempting to retrieve peer information from the backend.
* `net_version` and `net_peerCount` require access to the backend and will return errors in `--datadir` mode when the backend is unavailable.

### Backend Dependency

* Methods `net_version` and `net_peerCount` require the `ethBackend` to be available.
* When running in `--datadir` mode or when the backend cannot be accessed, these methods will return a "not available" error.
* The `net_listening` method gracefully handles backend unavailability by returning `false` .

### Network Information Usage

* `net_version` is commonly used by applications to verify they're connected to the correct .Ethereum network.
* `net_peerCount` helps monitor node connectivity and network health.
* `net_listening` provides a basic connectivity check for the node's network interface.

### Availability and Configuration

* The net namespace is enabled by default in Erigon's RPC Daemon.
* These methods are available on both HTTP and WebSocket connections.
* For remote RPC Daemon setups, the `net` namespace must be explicitly enabled for health check functionality.

### Documentation References

* The current implementation shows some limitations noted in the documentation, such as hardcoded return values in certain scenarios.
* `net_peerCount` specifically counts only internal sentries, which may not reflect the total peer count in distributed setups.
