Network Upgrades and Improvements
The Solana network is being continually improved and upgraded to address user needs and technical issues. Recent upgrades, such as QUIC, Stake Weighted QoS, and localized fee markets, were implemented in response to specific points of stress, slowdowns, and outages in periods of high activity and demand.
Release of Versions 1.16 and 1.17 of the Solana Labs Validator Client
Version 1.16 was successfully rolled out in September 2023, and version 1.17 rolled out on January 15, 2024. Both versions include new features, performance updates, and changes to improve resiliency of the network.
New Features
- Improved runtime support for zero-knowledge math:
- Supports 128 elliptic curve operations (equivalents of EIP-196, EIP-197, and EIP-198).
- Support for resizeable program data accounts
- The capability to broadcast shreds and do repair over QUIC, which will help transition protocols to QUIC
Token Extensions
Solana Labs introduced the original Token Program to define a common implementation for Fungible and Non Fungible tokens, making it easier to introduce and work with tokens on the Solana blockchain. Token extensions, a cross-ecosystem effort introduced to the greater public in January 2024, is an evolution or superset of the original Token Program functionality, making it easy to adopt.
By adding different extensions to mints and accounts, token extensions introduce new features not possible or not widely accessible in the original Token program.
Additional Firedancer Progress
Firedancer, a Solana validator client being developed by Jump Crypto, is adding features and getting closer to release to mainnet. At Breakpoint 2023, the Foundation and Jump Crypto announced Firedancer was live on testnet – a big step towards release for all users.
Firedancer offers potential performance advantages, and having another validator client in the Solana ecosystem reduces risk via a diversity of code: if one validator client fails or has a major error, other clients could still be available for use because they have a different code base.
Onchain Carbon Credits Purchases
In April 2023, Solana became the first major smart-contracts blockchain to have its carbon footprint measured in real time; TryCarbonara, an independent startup, launched www.solanaclimate.com to track the network’s impact.
In December 2023, the Solana Foundation announced it had offset 100% of the carbon footprint of the network for 2022 via onchain carbon offset purchases.
Conclusion
The Solana network is continually improving and upgrading to address user needs and technical issues. Recent upgrades and new features have been implemented to improve the network’s resiliency and performance. Additionally, token extensions and Firedancer are introducing new features and reducing risk in the Solana ecosystem. The Solana Foundation is also committed to reducing its carbon footprint and has offset 100% of the network’s carbon footprint for 2022.
FAQs
Q: What are the recent upgrades to the Solana network?
A: Recent upgrades include QUIC, Stake Weighted QoS, and localized fee markets.
Q: What is the purpose of token extensions?
A: Token extensions introduce new features not possible or not widely accessible in the original Token program, making it easy to adopt.
Q: What is Firedancer?
A: Firedancer is a Solana validator client being developed by Jump Crypto, which offers potential performance advantages and reduces risk via a diversity of code.
Q: How is Solana reducing its carbon footprint?
A: Solana has offset 100% of its carbon footprint for 2022 via onchain carbon offset purchases and is continually working to reduce its impact on the environment.
