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, often known as “protodanksharding”, which can 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 working easily on all three testnets, mainnet activation will likely be scheduled.
Dencun will likely 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 complete listing of protocol adjustments may be present in EIP-7569. For reference, they’re:
Deneb
Full python specs for adjustments affecting Ethereum’s consensus layer may be discovered within the deneb folder of the ethereum/consensus-specs repository.
Cancun
The EIPs linked above include the total 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.
Consumer 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 will likely be made right here.
When selecting which shopper to run, validators must be particularly conscious of the dangers of working a majority shopper on both the execution layer (EL) or consensus layer (CL). An explainer of those dangers and their penalties may be discovered right here. An estimate of present EL and CL shopper distribution and guides for switching from one shopper to a different may be discovered right here.
Consensus Layer Goerli Releases
Word: when working a validator, each the Consensus Layer Beacon Node and Validator Consumer should be up to date.
Execution Layer Goerli Releases
Word: whereas Reth helps Dencun, the shopper remains to be pending a full audit and isn’t really helpful 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 are actually price as much as $500,000 USD! See the bug bounty program for extra particulars.
FAQ
As an Ethereum person or Ether holder, is there something I have to do?
In brief, no.
For those who use an alternate, digital pockets or {hardware} pockets you don’t want to do something until you’re knowledgeable to take extra steps by your alternate or pockets supplier.
For those who run your individual Ethereum node, see the following query.
As a non-staking Goerli node operator, what do I have to do?
To be appropriate 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 have to do?
To be appropriate 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 have to do?
Nothing for now. Additional bulletins will likely be made for Dencun’s activation on Sepolia, Holesky and mainnet. You’ll be able to signal as much as obtain an electronic mail alert for them right here.
Stakers who need to run by means of the improve course of extra instances earlier than mainnet are inspired to make use of ephemery.dev, which can 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 may be caught on an incompatible chain following the outdated guidelines and will likely be unable to ship Ether or function on the post-Dencun Ethereum community.
As an software or tooling developer, what ought to I do?
Evaluation the EIPs included in Dencun to find out if and the way they have an effect on your undertaking — there are lots of 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 comply with the improve occurring?
The Goerli improve will likely be livestreamed right here.
Why “Dencun”?
Upgrades to the consensus layer use star names, and people to the execution layer comply with Devcon metropolis names. “Dencun” is the mixture of Deneb, a first-magnitude star within the Cygnus constellation, and Cancun, the placement for Devcon 3.
Authentic cowl picture by Darren Lawrence, with modifications by Tomo Saito.
