The Ethereum blockchain will experience a planned update at block number 9,069,000, which is expected to take place on Saturday, December 7, 2019. The precise date is liable to alterations due to fluctuating block intervals and timezones.
Kindly upgrade your node prior to Sunday, December 1, 2019 to account for the variable block intervals
Ethernodes.org has graciously provided Istanbul node statistics along with a countdown timer available at https://ethernodes.org/istanbul. etherscan.io has also supplied a countdown timer located at https://etherscan.io/block/countdown/9069000. You can track the network upgrade in real-time at http://forkmon.ethdevops.io/.
What is Istanbul?
Istanbul is the designation assigned to this network enhancement. Previous network updates have received different labels such as Constantinople, Spurious Dragon, and Byzantium.
As an Ethereum user or ether holder, is there anything I need to do?
If you utilize an exchange (like Coinbase, Kraken, or Binance), a web wallet (such as Metamask, MyCrypto, or MyEtherWallet), a mobile wallet service (for instance, Coinbase Wallet, Status.im, or Trust Wallet), or a hardware wallet (like Ledger, Trezor, or KeepKey), you need not take any action unless your exchange or wallet service instructs you to follow additional procedures.
As a node operator or miner, what do I need to do?
Obtain the latest iteration of your Ethereum client:
NOTE: Harmony (ethereumJ) is now an obsolete client and will not support Istanbul. Besu is a mainnet-compatible Ethereum client developed in Java.
What occurs if I am a miner or node operator and I do not engage in the upgrade?
If you are using an Ethereum client that has not been updated to the latest version (as noted above), your client will synchronize to the pre-fork blockchain once the upgrade takes place. You will find yourself stuck on an incompatible chain adhering to the previous rules, unable to transmit ether or function within the post-upgrade Ethereum network.
What does a network upgrade mean in Ethereum-land?
A network upgrade signifies a modification to the core Ethereum protocol, establishing new regulations to enhance the system. The decentralized characteristic of blockchain frameworks renders a network upgrade more challenging. Such upgrades necessitate collaboration and communication with the community as well as with the developers of the various Ethereum clients to ensure a smooth transition.
What transpires during a network upgrade?
Once the community reaches a consensus on the changes that should be included in the upgrade, modifications to the protocol are embedded into the various Ethereum clients, such as geth, Parity, and Nethermind. The protocol alterations are triggered at a designated block number. Any nodes that have not transitioned to the new rule set will be left behind on the old chain where the prior regulations persist.
What modifications are being introduced in Istanbul?
The changes implemented in Istanbul are outlined using EIPs. Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) outline standards for the Ethereum platform, encompassing core protocol specifications, client APIs, and contract standards. Please refer to the EIP that enumerates specific changes going into Istanbul at EIP-1679. You may also check this article from the Ethereum Cat Herders which delineates all the changes and elaborates on our comprehensive testing methodology.
Thank You!
A huge acknowledgment to the Ethereum community and to all Ethereum developers across all clients and platforms who joined forces to offer insights, opinions, and contributions.
DISCLAIMER: This is an emergent and evolving highly technical landscape. Should you decide to apply the recommendations in this post and continue engaging, ensure you comprehend how it affects you. You should acknowledge that there are inherent risks, including but not limited to unforeseen bugs. By opting to adopt these recommendations, you alone bear the responsibility of any consequences. This post and its recommendations do not constitute a sale of any kind and do not create any warranties of any nature, including but not limited to those related to the Ethereum network or the Ethereum clients mentioned herein.