The Dencun community improve is scheduled to activate on the Goerli testnet at 6:32 UTC on January 17, 2024. The improve consists of a number of adjustments, most notably the introduction of ephemeral knowledge blobs with EIP-4844, also referred to as “protodanksharding”, which is able to assist scale back L2 transaction charges.
Dencun follows final 12 months’s Shapella improve. It should first be deployed to the Goerli testnet. Then, if no main points are discovered, to Sepolia and Holesky. As soon as Dencun is operating easily on all three testnets, mainnet activation can be scheduled.
Dencun can be Goerli’s final improve. After it has been activated on mainnet, shopper and EF testing groups will cease supporting the Goerli testnet. For extra particulars, see this earlier announcement.
Improve Specification
The Dencun improve combines adjustments to each Ethereum’s consensus and execution layers. The total listing of protocol adjustments will be present in EIP-7569. For reference, they’re:
Deneb
Full python specs for adjustments affecting Ethereum’s consensus layer will be discovered within the deneb folder of the ethereum/consensus-specs repository.
Cancun
The EIPs linked above include the complete specs for adjustments affecting Ethereum’s execution layer.
Moreover, a python specification for these is being carried out within the ethereum/execution-specs repository.
Lastly, Deneb requires adjustments to the Engine API, used for communication between the consensus and execution layer nodes. These are specified within the cancun.md file of the ethereum/execution-apis repository.
Shopper Releases
The next shopper releases assist Dencun on Goerli. Additional variations will activate assist on different testnets and mainnet. As soon as these are launched, one other announcement can be made right here.
When selecting which shopper to run, validators needs to be particularly aware of the dangers of operating a majority shopper on both the execution layer (EL) or consensus layer (CL). An explainer of those dangers and their penalties will be discovered right here. An estimate of present EL and CL shopper distribution and guides for switching from one shopper to a different will be discovered right here.
Consensus Layer Goerli Releases
Observe: when operating a validator, each the Consensus Layer Beacon Node and Validator Shopper should be up to date.
Execution Layer Goerli Releases
Observe: whereas Reth helps Dencun, the shopper remains to be pending a full audit and isn’t beneficial for manufacturing use. See the Reth README for extra context.
Dencun Bug Bounty Bonus
All Dencun-related bug bounties for in-scope vulnerabilities will obtain a 2x multiplier between now and two weeks previous to when the mainnet improve is scheduled to happen. Crucial bugs at the moment are value as much as $500,000 USD! See the bug bounty program for extra particulars.
FAQ
As an Ethereum consumer or Ether holder, is there something I must do?
Briefly, no.
Should you use an change, digital pockets or {hardware} pockets you do not want to do something except you’re knowledgeable to take further steps by your change or pockets supplier.
Should you run your individual Ethereum node, see the following query.
As a non-staking Goerli node operator, what do I must do?
To be suitable with the Goerli improve, replace your node to the model of your Ethereum shopper listed within the desk above.
As a Goerli staker, what do I must do?
To be suitable with the Goerli improve, replace your node to the model of your Ethereum shopper listed within the desk above. Be sure each your beacon node and validator shopper are up to date!
As a non-Goerli node operator or staker, what do I must do?
Nothing for now. Additional bulletins can be made for Dencun’s activation on Sepolia, Holesky and mainnet. You may signal as much as obtain an e mail alert for them right here.
Stakers who need to run by way of the improve course of extra occasions earlier than mainnet are inspired to make use of ephemery.dev, which is able to quickly assist Dencun.
What occurs if I’m a Goerli staker or node operator and I don’t take part within the improve?
If you’re utilizing an Ethereum shopper that isn’t up to date to the most recent model (listed above), your shopper will sync to the pre-fork blockchain as soon as the improve happens.
You can be caught on an incompatible chain following the previous guidelines and can be unable to ship Ether or function on the post-Dencun Ethereum community.
As an utility or tooling developer, what ought to I do?
Overview the EIPs included in Dencun to find out if and the way they have an effect on your challenge — there are various new thrilling options being launched throughout each the execution and consensus layers! The one EIPs with backwards compatibility implications are EIP-6780, EIP-7044 and EIP-7514.
The place can I observe the improve taking place?
The Goerli improve can be livestreamed right here.
Why “Dencun”?
Upgrades to the consensus layer use star names, and people to the execution layer observe Devcon metropolis names. “Dencun” is the mix of Deneb, a first-magnitude star within the Cygnus constellation, and Cancun, the situation for Devcon 3.
Authentic cowl picture by Darren Lawrence, with modifications by Tomo Saito.