ACDC #143: Pectra Timeline Analysis

In this episode of the Infinite Jungle, the discussion centers on Core Developers Consensus Call #143, focusing on updates regarding Pectra Dev Nets 3 and 4. Developers are currently debugging Pectra DevNet 3 while preparing specifications for DevNet 4, which has 13 outstanding issues to resolve before its launch. Chair Alex Stokes emphasized the need to finalize discussions by the next call, although the timeline for DevNet 4 remains uncertain.

The episode also highlights that PyrDAS is no longer part of the Pectra upgrade and will be included in the subsequent upgrade, Fusaka. Developers are encountering challenges with the PyrDAS DevNet, particularly in achieving finality, which impacts validator synchronization. Despite these hurdles, progress continues, albeit with limited resources as the focus is primarily on Pectra.

A significant point of discussion was the proposal to increase blob throughput in the Pectra upgrade, currently targeting three blobs per block, with a cautious consideration to increase it to four. Developers are wary of the implications for validators with low bandwidth. A new execution API method, engine getBlobsV1, is being developed to aid these validators in block propagation.

The analysis of blob throughput's effects on solo stakers revealed that while the reorg rate for solo stakers has decreased since the introduction of blobs, locally built blocks are five times more likely to be reorged than those processed through MEV relays. This raises concerns about the hardware and bandwidth capabilities of solo stakers, many of whom may be under-resourced.

The complexity of the peer-to-peer architecture in public Ethereum networks compared to devnets complicates the understanding of these issues. Developers are working to gather empirical data to guide their decisions on blob throughput and ensure that changes do not negatively impact solo stakers.

Challenges in conducting experiments on Ethereum's mainnet and public testnets due to high usage were also discussed. Preliminary analysis indicates that while reorg rates for solo stakers are decreasing, they still face disadvantages. Developers are inclined to include blob throughput increases and other EIPs related to the blob fee market in their plans.

A public Pectra DevNet is being developed for the upcoming DevCon in Bangkok, starting November 12, which will allow testing of new transaction types and features, including EIP 7702 and triggerable withdrawals. The timeline for launching Pectra is closely linked to the success of DevNet 4, which is crucial for determining the mainnet launch date.

Developers aim to launch DevNet 4 soon, but progress may delay this target. If successful, it could lead to a public Pectra DevNet by DevCon, facilitating extensive testing and bug identification. Following this, public testnets like Sepolia and Holsky could see upgrades in January, with the mainnet launch potentially occurring around March or April. The inclusion of the blob throughput increase and other EIPs is vital for advancing the Pectra timeline.