Ethereum Developers Discuss Key Updates in Consensus Call #143

On October 3, 2024, Ethereum developers convened over Zoom for the All Core Developers Consensus Call #143, according to Galaxy.com. These biweekly meetings serve as a platform for developers to discuss and coordinate changes to Ethereum's consensus layer, known as the Beacon Chain. The call was chaired by Ethereum Foundation (EF) Researcher Alex Stokes, who led discussions on critical updates and challenges.

Pectra Devnet 3 and 4 Developments

The call highlighted ongoing debugging efforts in Pectra Devnet 3, with participation rates reportedly falling due to a bug in the Besu client, which is under investigation. Attention also turned to the readiness of Pectra Devnet 4, where developers are tackling pending pull requests (PRs) to refine the execution requests structure. A debate emerged over the most efficient method for handling these requests, with no consensus reached, prompting further discussions to continue on Discord.

Among the updates, it was noted that the CL specifications for Devnet 4 would likely be based on the “alpha.7” release. Stokes pointed out that PR 3918 is nearing a merge, while PR 3818 awaits review. The team also discussed validator attestation handling, deciding to focus on PR 3900 for immediate implementation.

PeerDAS Devnet and New Execution API Method

The PeerDAS devnet faced challenges reaching finalization, necessitating potential relaunches with updated client implementations. EF DevOps Engineer Barnabas Busa highlighted ongoing debugging efforts and scheduled a breakout meeting to address these issues.

A new execution API method, “engine_getBlobsV1,” aims to support validators with low bandwidth by facilitating timely block proposals. Stokes emphasized the priority of implementing this method, with client teams from Prysm, Lodestar, and Teku currently engaged in the process.

Blob Throughput and Pectra Testnet Plans

Discussions on scaling blob throughput continued, with a consensus to gather more data before deciding on a blob target increase in Pectra. EF Researcher Toni Wahrstätter shared empirical analyses on block reorg rates, emphasizing the need for further research on node syncing capabilities.

Looking ahead to Devcon, an annual Ethereum developer conference, plans were laid out to launch a dedicated Pectra testnet. This initiative aims to provide attendees with a platform to test integrations and new code changes, although concerns remain about the stability of Devnet 4 in time for the event.

Overall, the call underscored the collaborative efforts and challenges faced by Ethereum developers as they navigate critical updates to the network's infrastructure.