The Altair beacon chain improve is able to be activated on the Ethereum mainnet. The improve will go reside at epoch 74240 (Oct 27, 2021, 10:56:23am UTC).
Consumer Variations
To be able to be suitable with the Altair improve, beacon node operators should replace the consumer model that they run. In the event you run a validator, you should improve to proceed to comply with the mainnet beacon chain. Failure to take action will end in downtime penalties.
The variations listed under are assist the mainnet Altair improve.
EDIT: The next desk has been edited to reference the newest Altair consumer releases previous to the mainnet improve. These comprise safety patches and optimizations so we suggest all customers improve to the newest variations.
* Consumer releases referenced with an asterisk have been modified for the reason that authentic announcement.
Improve for Validators
Though this improve has been extensively examined if you’re a validator on Mainnet, we strongly suggest being on-line throughout the time of the improve within the occasion that any unforseen points emerge.
Bug Bounty Bonus
To be able to get extra eyes on the Altair improve, all bounties for vulnerabilities associated to the Altair improve have been doubled between now and 4 weeks after the launch (Nov 27). Vital Altair bugs in each purchasers and specs at the moment are value as much as $100k.
See the bug bounty program for extra particulars.
FAQ
As an Ethereum consumer or Ether holder, is there something I have to do?
This improve is solely for the beacon chain consensus mechanism and does not have an effect on end-user accounts, contracts, and state secured by the proof-of-work chain.
In the event you run your individual beacon node, it is advisable improve your node. See the “As a non-validator beacon node operator, what do I have to do?”” part under.
As a non-validator beacon node operator, what do I have to do?
Obtain the newest model of your beacon node consumer, as listed within the desk above.
As a validator, what do I have to do?
Obtain the newest model of the software program you run, as listed within the desk above. Comply with any directions within the launch and restart your node together with your commonplace restart process.
Observe, node software program that helps impartial validator purchasers would require an improve and restart to this element as nicely. Please learn warnings and directions contained within the official releases.
What occurs if I’m a validator or node operator and I don’t take part within the improve?
If you’re utilizing a beacon node consumer that’s not up to date to the newest model (listed above), your consumer will sync to the pre-fork beacon chain as soon as the improve happens. You may be caught on an incompatible chain following the previous guidelines.
In the event you run a validator, the validator will probably be unable to take part within the upgraded consensus and can proceed to function on the post-upgrade beacon chain community. This can end in penalties with respect to the upgraded Mainnet chain.
What occurs throughout a beacon chain community improve?
After the Ethereum group involves an settlement regarding which modifications must be included within the improve, modifications to the protocol are written into the varied purchasers. The beacon chain protocol modifications are activated at a particular epoch quantity. Any nodes that haven’t been upgraded to the brand new ruleset will probably be deserted on the previous chain the place the earlier guidelines could live on.
Why “Altair”?
After community discussion and emoji voting, consumer groups determined to make use of star names for every improve the place the sequence of improve names are in alphabetical order.
Altair begins with a “A”, is the twelfth brightest star within the evening sky, rotates fairly quickly with an equatorial velocity of 286 km/s, and is the situation of the Forbidden Planet. Fairly cool star when you ask us.
Thanks!
Enormous shoutout to all the researchers, engineers, and group members which have put an unimaginable quantity of labor into this primary beacon chain community improve.
Now, onward to the Merge 🚀
Disclaimer
That is an emergent and evolving extremely technical area. In the event you select to implement the suggestions on this publish and proceed to take part, it is best to ensure you perceive the way it impacts you. You must perceive that there are dangers concerned together with however not restricted to dangers like surprising bugs. By selecting to implement these suggestions, you alone assume the dangers of the implications. This publish and suggestions usually are not a sale of any sort, and don’t create any warranties of any sort together with however not restricted to something associated to the Ethereum community, or the Ethereum purchasers referred to herein.
