Since Ethereum migrated from Proof of Work consensus to a Proof of Stake mechanism, several improvements and developments have ensued to make the protocol better.
PoW (Proof of Work) and PoS (Proof of Stake) are both consensus mechanisms used in blockchain technology. In PoW, participants solve energy-intensive puzzles to validate transactions.
On the other hand, PoS validates transactions based on the stake held by participants, which enhances efficiency and decentralization.
Among the various projects implemented, one stands out as particularly innovative and useful for Ethereum validators: the Ethereum Validator Watcher.
Emmanuel Nalepa, Ethereum Protocol Specialist at Kiln & Ethereum Fellowship Program, introduced Ethereum Validator Watcher — a real-time monitoring tool for Validators on the Ethereum network during EthCC Paris. The product is a project of Kiln, a Web3 staking company.
In Ethereum 2.0, Validators are participants who lock up Ether as collateral to secure the network. They propose and validate blocks, chosen based on randomization and staked amount. Validators ensure network integrity, with penalties for malicious behavior.
Purpose of the Ethereum Validator Watcher
The Ethereum Fellow said that the purpose of the Ethereum Validator Watcher is to offer valuable information to those managing validator nodes and those utilizing their services.
The tool’s goal is to provide important insights that contribute to the efficient functioning of validator nodes, ensuring their seamless operation within the Ethereum network.
During the presentation, Nalepa highlighted the importance of remaining vigilant about various validator events and how the Ethereum Validator Watcher can aid in achieving that.
The tool focuses on both real-time monitoring from the inside and monitoring from the outside of the validator infrastructure.
Internal monitoring involves parameters like CPU usage, memory usage, volume usage, and network usage. Externally, he stressed the importance of aligning the monitoring tool to avoid interfering with the network.
The tool also monitors other metrics such as missed blocks, missed attestations, sub-optimal attestation inclusion, block proposals, and exit confirmation.
Other features
Furthermore, he mentioned that the Ethereum Validator Watcher is designed to be user-friendly and requires minimal setup.
The tool supports various Ethereum clients, including Lighthouse, Nimbus, and Prism. Nalepa also mentioned that the tool can integrate with Slack, send alerts, and be configured for custom actions based on specific metrics.
The presentation emphasized the tool’s accessibility, showcasing a responsive design that allows users to monitor their validators using mobile devices.
Nalepa revealed that the Ethereum Validator Watcher is open-source and encouraged the community to contribute and further enhance its capabilities.
