Ethereum Developers Discuss Key Updates During Recent Meeting 📈
On September 26, 2024, Ethereum’s protocol developers gathered online for the All Core Developers Execution Call #197, led by Tim Beiko, the Protocol Support Lead at the Ethereum Foundation (EF). This bi-weekly gathering aimed to align efforts on modifications to Ethereum’s execution layer (EL), focusing on critical advancements and upcoming upgrades.
Pectra Upgrade and Developments on Devnet 3 🔍
The development team reached a consensus to narrow the Pectra upgrade’s focus to incorporate the eight Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) that are currently active on Devnet 3. They also discussed the potential addition of four EIPs related to Ethereum’s blob fee market, which could be considered later in the planning stages.
Parithosh Jayanthi, a Developer Operations Engineer at EF, highlighted a resolution for a Teku-Erigon bug affecting Pectra Devnet 3. However, complications such as state root mismatches in the Lighthouse protocol and prolonged block propagation times experienced during validator deposits are still being analyzed.
In a test to evaluate network capacity, developers initiated 100,000 deposits on Devnet 3, which resulted in noticeable delays in block propagation times. Mikhail Kalinin, a Teku developer, is working on adjustments to the consensus layer specifications aimed at remedying these issues. Preparations for Pectra Devnet 4 are in progress, with a target launch set for within the next two weeks.
Fusaka Upgrade and Upcoming Enhancements 📅
Tim Beiko confirmed that the next hard fork, identified as Fusaka, will include PeerDAS and EOF EIPs. Additional EIPs may be introduced once the implementations of these two proposals advance further. Beiko also mentioned a forthcoming EIP for the upgrade following Osaka, informally referred to as Amsterdam, which would include enhancements originally intended for Osaka, such as Verkle.
Reassessing BLS Precompile Costs 💰
During discussions, developers explored the possibility of adjusting the pricing for BLS precompiles outlined in EIP 2537. Geth developer Jared Wasinger proposed implementing a 20% cost increment, a move that received backing from several team members. Beiko recommended that the BLS repricing be incorporated into Devnet 4, and he requested that benchmarking analyses be completed by the time of the next ACDE call.
Enhancing Execution Requests Efficiency 🚀
Mikhail Kalinin presented a versatile approach for handling execution layer-triggered requests, such as validator withdrawals, which received considerable support. This proposal aims to streamline the process, which calls for updates to several EIPs, including 6110, 7251, 7002, and 7685. Developers concurred on prioritizing these updates as part of the preparations for Pectra Devnet 4.
Seeking Audits for Pectra Contracts 🔒
The Ethereum Foundation is currently looking for independent audits of the smart contracts associated with three EIPs that are part of Pectra. Interested parties should submit their bids by October 11, 2024, with selected proposals expected to be confirmed by October 22, 2024.
Discussions on Pectra’s Structure 📊
During the meeting, developers debated the possibility of integrating a blob capacity increase within Pectra. Vitalik Buterin and Dankrad Feist, an EF researcher, supported the increase to enhance scaling capabilities. However, some participants raised concerns about lacking data on how this could affect node performance. Beiko suggested keeping Pectra’s scope limited, deferring decisions on blob-related EIPs for further assessment.
Enrico del Fante, a Teku developer, and other participants voiced worries that home stakers might face block misses after Dencun due to limited bandwidth, leading to an agreement on the need for more data regarding the impact of blobs before making final decisions.
Beiko indicated that the finalization of Fusaka’s scope should be postponed until PeerDAS and EOF are thoroughly integrated into the devnets. He also noted that Verkle is likely to be included in the upgrade following Fusaka, which is informally called Amsterdam.
The development team aims to launch Pectra Devnet 4 ahead of the next ACDE call scheduled in two weeks, maintaining ongoing testing and conversations to clarify the upgrade’s scope.
Hot Take 🔥
The recent discussions from the Ethereum developers’ meeting shed light on the impressive advancements and plans for the protocol. As developments such as the Pectra and Fusaka upgrades take shape, the Ethereum ecosystem continues to evolve, signaling promising enhancements and optimizations for users and developers alike.
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