Ethereum Client Prysmatic Labs Launches Prysm v4.0.4 with Improved Speed and Security

By Emma 05/16/23 4:06 PM

Prysmatic Labs, a major client of the Ethereum (ETH) blockchain, has released a new version of its software, Prysm v4.0.4, aimed at addressing recent technical issues and improving the overall performance and security of the Ethereum network. This release comes in the wake of a halt in block finalization on May 13, which marked the second technical issue within a 24-hour period.

The temporary suspension of block finalization, or the process of approving newly added blocks and rendering their contents unchangeable, poses significant risks such as double-spending attacks, inconsistent transaction records, and potential network forks.

The exact cause of these technical issues has not yet been determined, but the Ethereum Foundation has highlighted the increased load on the network due to the verification of past states by nodes as a potential contributing factor. The fix released by Prysm in version v4.0.4 addresses this issue, along with other important improvements.

Prysm v4.0.4 focuses on enhancing data handling, early error detection, and system resilience to eliminate potential problems and make the Ethereum network faster, more efficient, and more reliable. Specifically, the management of transaction-tracking data, known as “state” and “cache,” has been improved to facilitate smoother network operations and enhance reliability.

One specific concern addressed in this update is the heavy load on a node’s CPU and memory when multiple regenerations of past states are required to verify proofs. To mitigate this issue, Prysm has introduced improvements such as proof state caching and checkpoint proof filtering.

It is worth noting that a client refers to the software used to access the Ethereum network, and in this case, Prysm is primarily used by validators to validate transactions. The adoption of different types of validator clients, such as Prysm, Lighthouse, and Teku, enhances the security and stability of the entire network. According to data from Diversify Now, Prysm holds a market share of approximately 38%, alongside Lighthouse, followed by Teku with 16.9%.

The diversity of client usage is crucial for maintaining a healthy network. When one client encounters issues, other clients can continue to operate, reducing the impact of any single point of failure. This diversity contributes to the security and stability of the Ethereum network, making it less susceptible to disruptions.

Overall, Prysm v4.0.4 brings important fixes, new features, and overall improvements to the Ethereum network. By addressing recent technical issues and enhancing data handling, error detection, and system resilience, this release aims to make the Ethereum network faster, more efficient, more reliable, and more secure. The diversity of Ethereum clients, including Prysm, remains a key factor in ensuring the network’s long-term health and stability.