v1.4.6

XDC 1.4.6

This is a patch change which does not impact XDC overall functionality and backwards compatible to previous releases.

What's changed

1. Fixed memory leak issue due to peer connection transactions and blocks not being cleaned.
2. Added new config flag to allow nodes to return address with 0x pre-fix
3. Remove some unused travis configuration

v1.4.5

Hot fix for internal/ethapi: EstimateGas and Call handle revert error(173)

• API Call and EstimateGas will output revert error correctly.

Testnet - XDC 2.0.0

This is a Testnet release. It is NOT recommended for Mainnet. This version will undergo internal testing on devnet first before releasing a date for testing on Testnet https://apothem.network/

What's changed

1. Fixed System metrics
2. V2 consensus based on the whitepaper attached.
3. Support new forensics feature for v2 consensus. (QC only)

Short summary of v2 consensus engine

The engine

XinFin DPoS 2.0, the proposed next generation decentralized consensus engine for the XinFin XDC Network. Built upon the most advanced BFT consensus protocol and approved by the XDC Network community, this upgrade will empower the XDC Network with military-grade security and performance while consuming extremely low resources, and will be fully backwards-compatible in terms of APIs. It will also pave the road to the future evolution of the XDC Network.
The 2.0 is built upon three pillars, including:

1. Master node election, which specifies how the delegation and proof-of-stake works.
2. The consensus engine, namely, the HotStuff state machine replication (SMR) protocol, which is the state-of-the-art BFT (Byzantine fault-tolerant) SMR (state-machine replication) protocol. An illustration of its position in XDPoS 2.0 and a brief security analysis will be provided.
3. Reward mechanism, which incentivizes nodes to join and maintain the XDC Network.

The forensics

Also introducing the Forensics detection within this upgrade. The Forensics module consists of three components

1. Forensic Storage, a database at the XinFin nodes that stores forensic information. It maintains a map from the round number to quorum certificates, blocks, and their persistent storage. In addition, it records the blame messages as well. It can be access by other participants of the system, including other nodes (e.g., via RPC requests).
2. Detector, which can be run by any participant of XinFin system. It sends requests periodically to connected nodes and use the returned information for safety and liveness forensic monitoring. If it finds enough information to penalize a master node, it will send the information to the penalty mechanism.
3. Penalty Mechanism, a XinFin governance-driven body that decides the penalty for safety and liveness violation. It implements both hard penalty (e.g. slashing Byzantine nodes’ deposits via a slashing smart contract or excluding them from master node selection) and soft penalty (e.g. raising the deposit requirement).

Upgrade Notes

This release will not enable the v2 consensus as we are undertaking internal testing of the system. All new changes from V2 consensus is behind configuration. Hence after upgrade, user shall not see any changes to the consensus related features of XDC.

Andromeda Upgrades at Block number 38383838.

v1.4.4

HOT fix of eth issue where chain data was read before write which tri…

Andromeda Upgrades at Block number 38383838.

XinFin’s XDC Network update named “Andromeda” on its XDPoS consensus protocol going live on 1st December 2021 at block number 38383838.

XinFin's XDC Network update on its XDPoS consensus protocol going live on 1st December 2021 at block number 38383838 . The upgrade is currently live on Testnet, XinFin's protocol team has done hard tests like node, smart contract, & advanced non-functional tests over the Apothem network. With this upgrade, some important functionalities will be added to XinFin's Mainnet.

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What innovative features will the upgrade activate?

• Solidity Upgrade to v0.8.x: XinFin's XDPoS is upgrading its EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) to support the latest version of solidity. Upon upgrade, XinFin's developers will bypass extensive customization when deploying code from different EVM chains.

  This feature will support Xinfin's ecosystem partners and enhance internal product development.

• Transaction Fee Address: Going forward, transaction fees will transfer to the owner's address instead of the coinbase/ miner's address.

• Fixed and Added Eth_chainId: With the Eth_chainId, the system will be more secure. That's due to improvements in the replaying of protection transactions. This will provide military-grade security, supported by forensic monitoring to identify misbehaving nodes.

• Reward halving issue: The upgrade fixes the issue of fewer rewards to master node owners. With the improved rewards, nodes will be incentivized to join and maintain the XDC Network.

• Multiple Miner address Fixed: The upgrade handles issues relating to multiple miner addresses that could cause a block creation delay on the Mainnet.

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There are 03 way's and steps to upgrade your node are as follows;

Upgrade using Docker Node

• Run the command "git pull"
• To down the current docker node run "docker-compose -f docker-services.yml down"
• Then run "bash upgrade.sh"

Upgrade using One-Click Installer

• Click on "Check for Updates"

Upgrade using Source Code

• Fetch the latest code from the below URL:
  https://github.com/XinFinOrg/XDPoSChain/releases/v1.4.3

Please note that every node holder has to backup current chain data, including Keystore files, before upgrading the node.

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FAQ:

Here are a few responses to questions you may have regarding the upgrade.

Q. 1. As an XDC holder, is there anything one needs to do?
Ans: For XDC holders using wallet services (like Guarda), and an exchange, you won’t be doing anything since the systems can be used as before. However, if your wallet or exchange service requires you to make some changes, you’ll be notified.

Q. 2. As a node operator, what do I need to do?
Ans: Masternodes and full node operators must update their node software as soon as possible.

Q. 3. What happens if a Full Node or Masternode fails to upgrade?
Ans: For continued Masternode participation on the XDC network, Masternode holders must upgrade. Therefore, we request you to upgrade to the latest version using any of the preferred steps mentioned.

Q. 4. How will the upgrade affect existing stakes, ledger states, and XDCs?
Ans: All the existing XDCs, stakes, ledger states, and transactions will remain intact. And, they can be used exactly as before.

Q. 5. Will the upgrade be backward-compatible in terms of API and data?
Ans: The upgrade will be fully backward-compatible — -that’s in terms of APIs and data. After the upgrade, the XDC network will continue extending the current public ledger from the XDPoS1.0 version. As well, APIs to browsers, exchanges, wallets, etc. will be fully backward compatible. Thus, Xinfin customers can rest assured that the upgrade will be transparent.

Q. 6. What will the update provide Ethereum’s EVM-compatible projects?
Ans: This Major update will provide Ethereum’s EVM-compatible projects to move to XinFin Network with several benefits. These include near-zero gas fees, 99% less energy consumption for the block network as compared to PoW Network. And, 2-second block finality system, which is by far better than a few minutes in other PoW based networks.

Q. 7. Why is this Update named Andromeda?
Ans: The Andromeda update is named after the Galaxy, as per the suggestions from the community members.

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If you have any questions or need clarifications, kindly join our community support. As well, node runners and developers are welcome to join our Github channel, Slack channel, and Telegram channel. Other channels you can follow include XinFin’s Twitter, Facebook, Medium and Reddit channels.

v1.0.1

Stable/v1.0.1