With the launch of the AllianceBlock Data Tunnel MVP (Minimum Viable Version) version, we have released a version that is demonstrating the core concept of the AllianceBlock Data Tunnel on the Ethereum network, leveraging the power of Ocean Protocol.
Because this is the first public release of the Data Tunnel, we'd like the first users to be able to experiment freely with the Data Tunnel without having to put mainnet tokens on the line. That's why the Data Tunnel's features are fully enabled on both the Ethereum Rinkeby and Ropsten networks. Once we have gathered sufficient feedback from users, we will enable all features on mainnet. In the meantime, we will keep adding new features often (often several times per week) while the integration of a second chain is upcoming as well…
As the MVP version will primarily attract those that are looking to test the Data Tunnel, we have chosen to temporarily limit file uploads to 12MB. With the release of the mainnet version, we will allow large file sizes.
In order to consume data from the Data Tunnel, you'll need to use ABQL: The AllianceBlock Query Language. New to ABQL? Please use the ABQL Crash Course Guide to get started.
Note: mobile phones are not supported during the initial phase of the MVP
Getting started
To get started, you'll need to have a couple of things prepared. It helps if you are already familiar with working with MetaMask.
MetaMask
In order to use the Data Tunnel, you'll need to have MetaMask installed. Either switch your network to Ropsten or Rinkeby using the network selector in MetaMask:
Testnet ETH
After you have selected one of the test networks, you'll need some testnet ETH and testnet ALBT to get started.
- To get testnet ETH on Rinkeby, use the following faucet: https://faucet.rinkeby.io/
- To get testnet ETH on Ropsten, use this faucet instead: https://faucet.ropsten.be/
Connecting your wallet
When you have some ETH in your wallet, you are ready to go to the Data Tunnel portal at https://datatunnel.allianceblock.io/
You should see the following:
If you see this pop up instead, you'll have to switch your network in MetaMask to either Ropsten or Rinkeby:
Once the page has loaded properly, you should click on the top right on "Connect wallet or login":
Then first click on the Connect button. MetaMask will pop up, asking you to select the wallet you want to connect to the Data Tunnel.
Select the Wallet that has the testnet ETH and click "Next" followed by "Connect" in MetaMask.
Once connected, the Connect wallet or login button will change to the Wallet button, click the Wallet button on the top right:
In order to truly link your wallet to the Data Tunnel, you'll also need to proof the ownership of the wallet by verifying your wallet through a signed message, proving that you are the owner of the private key, and not just spoofing the public key to the Data Tunnel. You can do this by clicking "Verify wallet".
MetaMask will pop up, click "Sign" in MetaMask (this will not cost you any transaction fees).
Once verified, when you click the Wallet button again, the Verify wallet button should now change to "Unlink":
Use the Unlink button only when you are done with your session for additional security avoiding other potential users of your computer to use your account on the Data Tunnel.
Testnet ALBT
After you have successfully connected your wallet, you are ready to use the built-in testnet ALBT faucet to claim some testnet ALBT directly to your wallet.
Click the ALBT Faucet button on the top right of the menu:
Click Confirm on MetaMask, once the transaction is completed, you will have 1000 additional ALBT in your wallet. This version of the ALBT token has an unlimited supply, so the faucet will never run out!
Uploading a file
Note: the process might take a few minutes to complete from uploading, through conversion to the publication of the dataset in the marketplace. It's possible to pause the process between each step, even to close the portal entirely, and to continue the process later without losing progress.
On the marketplace (main screen), click the Publish Data button:
When the upload is complete, choose a category and provide a description and then click the Next button:
You will be notified that the data is uploaded successfully and can now proceed to pay the ALBT fee to publish the dataset (through Ocean Protocol):
The publication process will execute a couple of transactions in the background, please wait a couple of minutes for the transaction to complete.
Purchasing access to an existing dataset (consuming data)
On the marketplace, click on one of the datasets. On the page of the dataset itself, you will be able to click the Buy Dataset button on the right part of the page:
If you have already purchased this dataset and your monthly subscription is still active, you will simply see a "View dataset" button:
After clicking on the Buy Dataset, click on the "Pay with Crypto" button:
MetaMask will pop up, confirm all transactions. When done, you will be ready to query your first dataset using ABQL!
Query a purchased dataset using ABQL
New to ABQL? Read the ABQL Crash Course Guide first!
On the subscriptions page, you'll have an easy overview of all the datasets you have purchased access to.
Click a dataset, the page for that dataset will load. On the left you will find the general information for the dataset, on the right you will have the option to view the dataset using the View Dataset button:
Click the View Dataset button in order to load the Query Editor for that dataset.
Tip: toggle the Query View option (top right of the view) to hide the data view panel in order to have adequate room to edit complex queries:
On the default view (Split View) you will find the query editor on the left:
- On the top, you will find the name of the dataset
- Right below that you can toggle between different views:
- Query (edit the query)
- Examples (quick reference for ABQL queries)
- About (information about your subscription and the ability to rate the dataset) - Below that is the view as selected from the toggle options above
- And then the Execute Query button to execute the ABQL query you have written in the query editor
On the right side of the screen you'll find the data view:
On the top you will be able between Tree View and JSON Raw View:
- Tree View is meant to have an easy way to collapse "nodes" in the JSON tree for easier viewing of large amounts of data (for example you are able to quickly collapse the Schema property node so that you can immediately see the results of your query without needing to scroll endlessly.
- JSON Raw View is meant for the absolute raw text view of the returned JSON data, including both the dataset's schema and results. This allows for easier copy and pasting.
- In each view, you'll have the possibility to download the entire JSON data (including both the dataset's schema and its results) to a file. The file will be exactly the same, regardless of which view is enabled.
Once you have entered a query in the query editor, click the Execute Query button to retrieve the results of the data. If your query was invalid, you will receive an error, otherwise, you will receive the results of your query with its data scheme.
Note: after clicking the Execute Query button, MetaMask will pop up to ask you to sign a message. This is to ensure you are really the owner of the wallet and avoid spoofing of public keys that have purchased access to datasets. This will never cost you any transaction fees!
Not sure which query to execute and can't wait to see some data? Just enter the following 2 characters as a query:
{}
This is equivalent to TSQL's:
SELECT * FROM <TableName>
Features that will be added soon
After this launch, we will keep working on new features. Features and fixes will be added on a regular basis. Some of the upcoming features are:
- Revenue claiming for dataset publishers
- Data schema editor to allow fine granular definition of each data point
- Extensive search console
- Profile editor
This is besides other features, to be announced, that will be released prior to mainnet including the integration of a second chain.
About AllianceBlock
AllianceBlock is building the first globally compliant decentralized capital market. The AllianceBlock Protocol is a decentralized, blockchain-agnostic layer 2 that automates the process of converting any digital or crypto asset into a bankable product.
Incubated by three of Europe’s most prestigious incubators: Station F, L39, and Kickstart Innovation in Zurich, and led by a heavily experienced team of ex-JP Morgan, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs investment bankers, and quants, AllianceBlock is on the path to disrupt the $100 trillion securities market with its state-of-the-art and globally compliant decentralized capital market.
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