- The Sepolia testnet will bear a post-merge execution layer (EL) improve at block 1735371, anticipated on August 17, 2022
- The improve will trigger EL purchasers on the community to disconnect from friends which haven’t transitioned to proof-of-stake. It doesn’t add extra performance past this.
- Sepolia node operators should improve their execution layer shopper prior to dam 1735371.
- An identical improve is anticipated on Goerli and the Ethereum mainnet as soon as these networks have transitioned to proof-of-stake
Background
In an effort to keep a wholesome peer record, nodes on Ethereum’s execution layer will robotically disconnect friends who shouldn’t have the identical improve sequence as them. On the Ethereum mainnet, this implies checking whether or not a peer upgrded to Frontier Thawing at block 200,000, then Homestead at block 1,150,000, and so forth all the best way to the most recent improve, Gray Glacier, which occurred at block 15,050,000. EIP-2124 specifies how that is dealt with. In typical community upgrades, that are triggered by a block peak, this occurs robotically as nodes use the block peak of upcomming upgrades to filter friends.
For The Merge, this was not attainable as a result of the improve was triggered utilizing a complete problem worth slightly than a block quantity. The rationale for this alternative is defined in EIP-3675:
Utilizing a pre-defined block quantity for the hardfork is unsafe on this context because of the PoS fork alternative taking precedence through the transition.
An attacker might use a minority of hash energy to construct a malicious chain fork that might fulfill the block peak requirement. Then the primary PoS block could also be maliciously proposed on high of the PoW block from this adversarial fork, turning into the pinnacle and subverting the safety of the transition.
To guard the community from this assault state of affairs, problem accrued by the chain (complete problem) is used to set off the improve.
To attenuate modifications to the protocol throughout its most advanced improve since launch, the design for The Merge excluded EIP-2124 compatibility. This implies an extra improve should now be carried out so as to add this. You will need to word that the one change launched as a part of this improve is specifying a block quantity that nodes can use to determine friends who’ve gone by way of The Merge. No different performance is launched or deprecated as a part of this improve.
Improve Info
Timing
This improve will occur on Sepolia at block 1735371, anticipated on August 17, 2022.
Notice {that a} related improve can be introduced for Goerli and mainnet after these networks have transitioned to proof-of-stake.
Ropsten will not be upgraded since it’s now thought-about deprecated, together with Rinkeby and Kiln. See this post for extra particulars on their deprecation schedule.
Shopper Releases
Solely execution layer purchasers must be up to date for this improve. Node operators can maintain operating their present consensus layer shopper launch on Sepolia by way of the transition.
Notice that shopper releases used for the Goerli/Prater merge all help this improve on Sepolia. In different phrases, for those who already downloaded a launch for the Goerli/Prater merge, you should utilize that very same model on Sepolia for this improve.
Execution Layer
Improve Specs
The specification for this modification is tracked as a part of the Paris specs, below the FORK NEXT Improve part.
FAQ
As a node operator, what ought to I do?
It is best to improve your execution layer shopper to one of many variations listed above earlier than August 16, 2022. Your consensus layer shopper doesn’t must be upgraded.
As a staker, what do I must do?
The validator set on Sepolia is permissioned. If you’re half of the present Sepolia validators, you should replace your execution layer shopper to one of many variations listed above on August 16, 2022 on the newest.
If you’re not half of the present Sepolia validator set, you do not want to do something presently.
Goerli/Prater and mainnet validators might want to observe the identical steps when this improve is introduced on these networks.
As an software or tooling developer, what ought to I do?
Nothing, except you’re additionally operating a node. If that’s the case, please improve your execution layer shopper to one of many variations listed above earlier than August 16, 2022.
As an Ethereum person or Ether holder, is there something I must do?
No. The Ethereum mainnet isn’t affected by this improve. Even when this improve can be utilized to mainnet, there will not be any motion wanted.
Thanks to Justin Chrn for the unique cowl picture and Tomo Saito for the modifications.
