The Ethereum network is set to undergo a planned network upgrade at block 15,050,000, anticipated to take place on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Please note that the specific date may change due to varying block times and time zones. Ensure your node is upgraded by Monday, June 27, 2022 to accommodate potential block time variations.
What is Gray Glacier?
The Gray Glacier network upgrade modifies the parameters of the Ice Age/Difficulty Bomb, postponing it by 700,000 blocks, or approximately 100 days. Similar adjustments have been implemented in the Byzantium, Constantinople, Muir Glacier, London, and Arrow Glacier network upgrades. No additional modifications are introduced in Gray Glacier.
Since Ropsten has transitioned to proof-of-stake, the difficulty bomb only impacts the Ethereum mainnet. Consequently, Gray Glacier will not be applied to any testnet.
Client Versions
Node operators must update their client version to one of the versions listed below for compatibility with the Gray Glacier upgrade:
Upgrade Specification and EIPs
The complete specifications for the upgrade can be accessed in the execution-specs repository under gray-glacier.md.
One EIP is included in the upgrade: EIP-5133: Delaying Difficulty Bomb to Mid September 2022.
As an Ethereum user or ether holder, is there anything I need to do?
If you are using an exchange, web wallet service, mobile wallet service, or a hardware wallet, no action is required on your part unless specifically directed to do so by your exchange or wallet provider.
As a node operator or miner, what do I need to do?
Make sure to download the latest version of your Ethereum client listed in the table above.
What happens if I am a miner or node operator and I do not participate in the upgrade?
Using an outdated Ethereum client version (i.e., one not listed above) will result in your client syncing to the pre-fork blockchain after the upgrade. You will remain on an incompatible chain under the old rules, rendering you unable to send Ether or operate on the upgraded Ethereum network.
What is a network upgrade in Ethereum-land?
A network upgrade constitutes a modification to the foundational Ethereum protocol, establishing new rules to enhance the system. The decentralized nature of blockchain systems complicates network upgrades, demanding collaboration and communication within the community and among developers of various Ethereum clients to ensure a seamless transition.
What happens during a network upgrade?
Following community consensus on the modifications to be incorporated in the upgrade, changes to the protocol are integrated into different Ethereum clients, such as Besu, Erigon, go-ethereum, and Nethermind. The protocol adjustments are activated at a specified block number. Nodes that have not been updated to the new rules will remain on the old chain where the previous rules continue to apply.
Why “Gray Glacier”?
Typically, we use names of cities hosting Ethereum conferences for execution layer network upgrades; however, upgrades focused solely on delaying the difficulty bomb/ice age utilize glacier names instead.
Gray Glacier was selected as it physically merges with another glacier, akin to how Ethereum’s execution layer will eventually merge with the Beacon Chain!
Special thanks to Matt Palmer for the original cover image and Tomo Saito for the edits.
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