Q: How does the Ethereum network upgrade work?

Answer: Ethereum network upgrades require node operators to explicitly choose to participate. Although client developers reach a consensus on the EIPs included in the upgrade, they are not the final decision-makers.

To make the upgrade effective, validators and non-staking nodes must manually update the software to support the new protocol.

If the Ethereum client being used is not updated to the latest version (see above), the connection with the upgraded nodes will be disconnected when forking the block, leading to a network fork. In this case, each subset of nodes will only maintain a connection with nodes that have the same (non) upgraded status.

Although most Ethereum upgrades are uncontroversial and forks are rare, the ability for node operators to independently decide whether to support upgrades is a core feature of Ethereum governance.

Q: As a user of the Ethereum mainnet or an ETH holder, what do I need to do?

Answer: In a word: No need.

If you are using an exchange, digital wallet, or hardware wallet, no action is required unless the service provider specifically notifies you.

Q: What do I need to do as a non-staked node operator?

Answer: To ensure compatibility, please update the execution layer and consensus layer clients to the versions listed in the table above.

Q: As a staker, what do I need to do?

Answer: To ensure compatibility, please update the execution layer and consensus layer clients to the versions listed in the table above. Please also update the beacon node and validator client.

Question: As an application or tool developer, what should I do?

Answer: Review the EIPs included in Pectra and assess their impact on the project—this upgrade introduces many exciting new features at both the execution layer and the consensus layer!

Q: Why is it named "Pectra"?

Answer: The execution layer upgrade continues to use the names of Devcon cities, while the consensus layer upgrade adopts star names. "Pectra" is a combination of the location of Devcon IV, Prague, and the blue-white giant star Electra in Taurus.