Coindesk Logo

Geth Releases Software Update Ahead of Ethereum 'Byzantium' Hard Fork

Geth Releases Software Update Ahead of Ethereum 'Byzantium' Hard Fork

Geth Releases Software Update Ahead of Ethereum 'Byzantium' Hard Fork

A new version of Geth, a command-line interface for running ethereum nodes, includes changes that could see the software running at far higher speeds.

A new version of Geth, a command-line interface for running ethereum nodes, includes changes that could see the software running at far higher speeds.

A new version of Geth, a command-line interface for running ethereum nodes, includes changes that could see the software running at far higher speeds.

AccessTimeIconSep 15, 2017, 5:15 PM
Updated Aug 18, 2021, 6:56 PM

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

A new version of ethereum's Geth node software has been released, which includes support for the upcoming "Byzantium" upgrade as well as a series of performance enhancements.

Named Megara, the freshly-coded Geth release has been reformatted to include all improvements developed for Byzantium, which forms the first of two parts in the wider "Metropolis" update. Ethereum is currently on target to activate the Byzantium hard fork within the next month.

It notably includes a formal block number for the launch of Byzantium on Ropsten, the ethereum testnet. Previously set for September 18, the block number is now officially 1,700,000, which looks likely to be reached in roughly seven days.

On top of featuring compatibility with the Byzantium improvements, new performance enhancements have been introduced to the software. Among those are steps to cut the amount of data storage required by a node from 26.3GB to 14.9GB – making ethereum significantly lighter to run. Updated nodes will also be able to process contracts faster, with filtering times reduced from minutes to under a second.

Some updates are yet to be finalized, but promise to eventually reduce the bandwidth requirement of the underlying peer-to-peer protocol from 33.6GB to 13.5GB. Further, a memory-caching improvement should increase in speed by a "couple orders of magnitude," the release states.

Megera also includes an improved transaction pool. In the earlier version of Geth, high-paying transactions were prioritized indiscriminately – but, in this new version, a Geth user's own transaction will always receive priority, regardless of whether it contains fewer funds.

For enhanced security, new protective measures on the transaction disk enforce that a backup be created for local transactions in case of a node crashing. Further, Geth will now also support the Trezor line of hardware wallets.

Command line image via Shutterstock

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.