Research Summary
The report discusses the Ethereum All Core Developers Execution Call #176, where developers discussed the ongoing testing efforts for the Cancun/Deneb upgrade on Devnet #12. They agreed to coordinate an activation date for the upgrade on the Ethereum Goerli test network in early January. The report also covers the testing status of different Ethereum clients, the builder override flag, and the planning process for the next network upgrade, Prague/Electra.
Key Takeaways
Testing for Cancun/Deneb Upgrade
- Progress on Devnet #12: The Ethereum developers are testing the Cancun/Deneb upgrade on Devnet #12. Bugs have been discovered in two clients, Reth and Lighthouse, which are currently being patched. The DevOps team is focusing more on the MEV workflow by activating MEV-Boost software across more validators on Devnet #12.
- Client Readiness: Representatives from the Nethermind, Erigon, Lodestar, and Teku client teams expressed readiness to move ahead to testing the upgrade on public Ethereum testnets. The Prysm client is expected to join Devnet #12 for testing in the coming weeks.
- Upgrade Activation on Goerli: Based on client readiness, the developers plan to coordinate a hard fork date as soon as they return from the holiday break. The Cancun/Deneb activation on Goerli could tentatively happen by mid-January, assuming no major bugs are discovered.
Builder Override Flag
- Implementation Status: The builder override flag, a new Boolean field in the Cancun upgrade, is being implemented by different client teams. The Geth client team has implemented the flag but will not be merging it in an official release any time soon. The Besu and Nethermind teams have not implemented the optional flag within their clients.
- Usefulness of the Flag: The flag could be a useful tool to dissuade and discourage staking pools or large validator node operators from engaging in certain “timing games”. Validators can earn more MEV, maximal extractable value, from delaying block propagation.
Planning for Prague/Electra Upgrade
- Discussion Thread: A new discussion thread has been created on the Ethereum Magicians site to scope out the next network upgrade, Prague/Electra. Developers are asked to think critically about whether to couple the EL and CL upgrades together as they have for the last two hard forks.
- Review of Candidate Code Changes: Developers are recommended to review all candidate code changes over the holidays and be ready to discuss them in earnest in January. For certain EIPs such as Verkle or data availability sampling, developers are advised to organize dedicated meetings after the holidays to discuss these larger protocol changes in detail.
Actionable Insights
- Monitor the Progress of Cancun/Deneb Upgrade: Keep an eye on the ongoing testing efforts for the Cancun/Deneb upgrade on Devnet #12 and the planned activation date on the Ethereum Goerli test network.
- Understand the Builder Override Flag: Gain a deeper understanding of the builder override flag and its potential implications for Ethereum’s network.
- Stay Updated on Prague/Electra Upgrade: Follow the discussion thread on the Ethereum Magicians site to stay updated on the planning process for the next network upgrade, Prague/Electra.
