In a recent ACDC call #123, Ethereum developers gathered on Zoom to discuss the testing and coordination of the Cancun/Deneb upgrades. Chaired by Danny Ryan, an Ethereum Foundation researcher, these bi-weekly meetings serve as a collaborative forum for developers to address changes to Ethereum’s consensus layer (CL).
Known as the Dencun upgrade, this upcoming transformation seeks to improve both the execution layer (Cancun) and the consensus layer (Deneb) of the Ethereum network.
During the call, Mario Vega, one of the developers, mentioned that since the implementation on Devnet #12 on Wednesday, November 30th, there haven’t been any observed challenges with the CL clients running on the test network.
The Cancun-Deneb is designed to enhance the efficiency and scalability of Ethereum while reducing transaction costs. It introduces the proto-danksharding technique (EIP-4844) to break down the network into blobs.
This upgrade includes the implementation of various Ethereum Improvement Protocols (EIPs) such as EIP-1559, EIP-2929, and EIP-2537. These protocols are expected to improve the scalability, security, and usability of the Ethereum network, providing a stronger foundation for decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts.
To further test the Cancun-Deneb upgrade, the community suggested a Goerli shadow fork at the end of 2023. However, it was recommended to wait for Prysm, the most popular CL client, to join Devnet #12 before planning the Goerli shadow fork.
Tim Beiko, one of the engineers involved, proposed the creation of a “Meta EIP” document to comprehensively track finalized network upgrades on Ethereum. This proposal addresses the current lack of a centralized tracking system.
The proposal has the objective of consolidating information that is currently scattered across various files. This consolidation will enhance accessibility and reduce duplication. Developers expressed their support for this idea, and Beiko agreed to draft the Meta EIP document for review, with a specific focus on the Cancun/Deneb upgrade.
The call ended with some unresolved discussions regarding the effectiveness of the CFI label and the necessity for standardized EIP status across CL and EL specifications.
