The intricate world of Ethereum’s core development continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with the All Core Developer (ACD) calls serving as the crucible for shaping the network’s future. To demystify these often dense discussions, a "Checkpoint" series provides periodic, high-level updates. This installment delves into the ongoing progress and challenges of the upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade, while also illuminating the selection of key features for its successor, Hegotá.
Glamsterdam: Steady Progress Amidst Implementation Complexities
The Ethereum network’s next significant upgrade, codenamed Glamsterdam, is making steady, albeit measured, progress. While the overarching goals remain clear, the path to implementation is proving to be more intricate than initially anticipated, particularly concerning its flagship feature: enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS).
ePBS represents a fundamental architectural shift, aiming to segregate the roles of block proposers and block builders within the consensus layer. Currently, these functions are largely handled outside the protocol. By integrating them directly into the protocol, Ethereum seeks to enhance security, decentralization, and efficiency. However, this transition necessitates that every component of the Ethereum stack can reason about "partial blocks" and the complexities of two-party coordination. This deep integration touches virtually every aspect of the network’s operation, leading to the observed implementation challenges.
Beyond ePBS, other features slated for Glamsterdam are also undergoing rigorous development. These include various gas repricing mechanisms, which are largely being considered and prioritized as a unified bundle. The aim of these repricings is to optimize transaction fee calculations and improve overall network efficiency. Furthermore, community feedback has highlighted the importance of EIP-7954, a proposal to increase the maximum contract size. The constructive engagement from ecosystem developers underscores the potential impact of this EIP, making its inclusion in Glamsterdam highly probable.
On the execution layer front, Block-level Access Lists (BALs), encapsulated within EIP-7928, represent a significant re-evaluation of how gas and state access are managed. This initiative is designed to provide a more granular and efficient approach to resource utilization. The ongoing development of BAL devnets is indicative of the systematic progress being made in tackling these complex issues.
The development timeline for Glamsterdam is meticulously orchestrated. The immediate objective is the launch of the first generalized Glamsterdam devnet, contingent on the stabilization of the current ePBS devnet. Following this crucial milestone, developers will engage in iterative testing across multiple devnets, progressively integrating the remaining non-headliner features. The process culminates in the release of client versions, followed by comprehensive security audits, deployment on testnets, and finally, the official announcement of the mainnet fork date, pending confirmation of stability across all test environments.
Hegotá: FOCIL Selected as Major Feature, Account Abstraction Lurks in the Background
Looking ahead, the upgrade following Glamsterdam, codenamed Hegotá, has officially selected its major feature. FOCIL (EIP-7805) has been chosen as the consensus layer headliner, marking a significant decision for the future direction of the network.
The selection of FOCIL as the primary feature for Hegotá was the culmination of a consensus-driven process within the Ethereum community. While the specifics of FOCIL are still being elaborated, its positioning as a consensus layer headliner suggests a focus on foundational improvements to how Ethereum’s network operates at its core.
The execution layer, meanwhile, experienced a more contentious debate surrounding an Account Abstraction proposal. Account Abstraction is a long-anticipated feature designed to enhance user experience by enabling more flexible and powerful account management, akin to smart contracts controlling traditional accounts. Despite the strong interest, a lack of consensus on specific implementation details led to the proposal, EIP-8141 (Frame transactions), being designated as Considered for Inclusion (CFI) as a non-headliner. This designation signifies a commitment to address Account Abstraction in Hegotá through a proposal that garners broader support among client developers, with active community participation in its refinement.
A growing interest in enhancing Ethereum’s quantum resistance has also emerged. While no standalone proposal solely focused on quantum resistance has been introduced yet, it is being incorporated as a component within broader Account Abstraction proposals, indicating a forward-looking approach to long-term network security.
The process for proposing non-headlining features for Hegotá is now open. Developers can submit their proposals by integrating their EIPs into the "Proposed for Inclusion" section of the fork’s meta EIP (EIP-8081) starting April 9th. A formal closing date for these submissions will be announced with at least two weeks’ notice. The progress and timeline for the Hegotá upgrade will be closely monitored and updated on its dedicated Forkcast page.
The anticipated timeline for Hegotá is intrinsically linked to the pace of Glamsterdam’s development. A smoother and more efficient rollout of Glamsterdam could potentially accelerate the timeline for Hegotá, allowing for a more rapid iteration of network upgrades.
Gas Limit Increases and the Pursuit of Enhanced Scalability
A critical area of ongoing research and development is the increase of Ethereum’s gas limit. This initiative is paramount for enhancing the network’s scalability, allowing for more complex transactions and a higher throughput. Gas limit increases are being rigorously tested on devnets, with a current target for the baseline gas limit set at 60 million.
However, testing is extending to significantly higher limits to comprehensively understand the implications and identify necessary optimizations. This exploration is crucial for ensuring that any increase in the gas limit is implemented safely and sustainably, without compromising network stability. The gas repricing work being integrated into Glamsterdam is a key enabler for these higher gas limits, paving the way for a more performant Ethereum.
Empowering EIP Champions: A New Handbook for Feature Development
To foster a more streamlined and collaborative environment for proposing and championing new features, the Protocol Support team has released a comprehensive EIP Champion’s Handbook. This resource is designed to guide authors and advocates through the entire process of getting their feature proposals considered and adopted into Ethereum upgrades. The handbook provides valuable insights into navigating stakeholder feedback, understanding development pipelines, and effectively communicating the technical and economic merits of proposed changes. For aspiring contributors looking to influence the direction of Ethereum, this handbook represents an invaluable tool.
Broader Implications and the Path Forward
The current development cycle, marked by the ambitious goals of Glamsterdam and the forward-looking selections for Hegotá, underscores a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation within the Ethereum ecosystem. While the initial excitement surrounding rapid upgrade cycles, as seen with Fusaka’s swift follow-up to Pectra, has been tempered by the complexities of Glamsterdam, the dedication of client developers remains unwavering.
The fact that Hegotá has a single headliner feature might allow for a more focused development effort. If the non-headliner selection process proves efficient and consensus can be reached on key proposals, Hegotá could potentially follow Glamsterdam in a shorter timeframe than the interval between Glamsterdam and its predecessor. Furthermore, the possibility of an Account Abstraction proposal being elevated to headliner status, driven by community consensus and its perceived importance, remains a significant factor in shaping the future roadmap.
The recent publication of the "strawmap" has also played a vital role in reigniting enthusiasm for a more cohesive upgrade strategy. While not an official roadmap, this community-driven guideline serves as a beneficial tool for aligning feature choices and prioritizing development efforts, fostering a shared vision for Ethereum’s evolution.
The ongoing discourse and development surrounding these upgrades reflect a mature and collaborative ecosystem dedicated to enhancing the scalability, security, and user experience of the Ethereum network. The journey is complex, but the steady progress and clear communication channels, such as the ACD calls and the "Checkpoint" series, provide a robust framework for navigating the future of decentralized technology.
Relevant ACD Calls:
The following calls represent key discussions and decisions related to the progress of Glamsterdam and Hegotá:
- ACDT: Calls 76, 75, 74, 73, 72, 71, 70, 69, 68, 67 (January 21st – April 9th)
- ACDC: Calls 176, 175, 174, 173
- ACDE: Calls 234, 233, 232, 231, 230, 229
