Solana Labs Announces New Validator Client Update
Feature Updates
The Solana Labs validator client has been updated to version 1.17, which includes several new features that will be activated over time. One of the most significant updates is the ZK Token proof program, which will facilitate confidential transfers. This feature was previously delayed from its intended activation in version 1.16.
Performance Updates
Version 1.17 includes several performance updates that will improve the overall speed and efficiency of the validator client. These updates include:
- Improved gossip push message propagation, which reduces the reliance on pull requests and leads to a reduction in resource usage by consensus validators.
- Asynchronous connection caching, which reduces transaction latency in some cases.
- The addition of a new flag,
--use-snapshot-archives-at-startup, which allows validators to specify whether to use local snapshots or the local state already on disk, reducing startup times.
Resiliency
Version 1.17 also includes several updates that improve the resiliency of the validator client. One of the most significant updates is the ability to broadcast shreds and perform repair over QUIC, which lays the groundwork for transitioning these protocols to QUIC.
Testnet
The Solana testnet has been running version 1.17 since October 3, 2023, and has been stress-tested regularly with high transaction volume. In addition, the core contributors have built a regression and capacity testing framework that is used regularly on the testnet.
Canaries
Solana Labs operates canary nodes on mainnet-beta, including seven nodes that run the beta branch (currently version 1.17). These nodes have been stable for several months and are monitored in real-time through the #canaries-monitoring channel on the Solana Tech Discord.
Fuzzers
Multiple runtime fuzzers have been developed to ensure that the results are consistent and to catch edge cases or race conditions that manifest infrequently. These fuzzers execute partially randomized transactions against multiple versions of the runtime.
Audits
Version 1.17 has been audited by multiple external auditors, and reports will be published to the security-audits repo as they become available.
Volunteer Adoption
A small subset of volunteers updated their mainnet-beta nodes to version 1.17 starting on December 4, 2023, and helped identify and resolve remaining issues.
Conclusion
The Solana Labs validator client update to version 1.17 marks an important step forward in the development of the Solana blockchain. With its new features, performance updates, and resiliency improvements, version 1.17 is an important step towards making Solana a more robust and reliable platform for developers and users.
FAQs
Q: What are the key features of version 1.17?
A: The key features of version 1.17 include the ZK Token proof program, improved gossip push message propagation, asynchronous connection caching, and the ability to broadcast shreds and perform repair over QUIC.
Q: What is the testnet running version 1.17?
A: The Solana testnet has been running version 1.17 since October 3, 2023, and has been stress-tested regularly with high transaction volume.
Q: How do I monitor for updates on the Solana blockchain?
A: You can monitor for updates on the Solana blockchain through the Solana Status Twitter account or the #canaries-monitoring channel on the Solana Tech Discord.
Q: What is the purpose of the canary nodes?
A: The canary nodes are used to monitor and test the stability of the Solana blockchain before rolling out updates to the mainnet-beta.
Q: How do I get involved in the development of the Solana blockchain?
A: You can get involved in the development of the Solana blockchain by joining the Solana Tech Discord, participating in the Solana Bug Bounty program, or contributing to the Solana codebase on GitHub.
