- RocksDB database metadata format has changed to be more expressive, the migration of an existing metadata file to the new format is automatic at startup. Before performing a downgrade to a previous version it is mandatory to revert to the original format using the subcommand `besu --data-path=/path/to/besu/datadir storage revert-metadata v2-to-v1`.
- BFT networks won't start with SNAP or CHECKPOINT sync (previously Besu would start with this config but quietly fail to sync, so it's now more obvious that it won't work) [#6625](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6625), [#6667](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6667)
- Receipt compaction will be enabled by default in a future version of Besu. After this change it will not be possible to downgrade to the previous Besu version.
- Transaction call object to accept both `input` and `data` field simultaneously if they are set to equal values [#6702](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6702)
-`eth_call` for blob tx allows for empty `maxFeePerBlobGas` [#6731](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6731)
- Fix to avoid broadcasting full blob txs, instead of only the tx announcement, to a subset of nodes [#6835](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6835)
- Following the OpenMetrics convention, the updated Prometheus client adds the `_total` suffix to every metrics of type counter, with the effect that some existing metrics have been renamed to have this suffix. If you are using the official Besu Grafana dashboard [(available here)](https://grafana.com/grafana/dashboards/16455-besu-full/), just update it to the latest revision, that accepts the old and the new name of the affected metrics. If you have a custom dashboard or use the metrics in other ways, then you need to manually update it to support the new naming.
- The `trace-filter` method in JSON-RPC API now has a default block range limit of 1000, adjustable with `--rpc-max-trace-filter-range` (thanks @alyokaz) [#6446](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6446)
- Requesting the Ethereum Node Record (ENR) to acquire the fork id from bonded peers is now enabled by default, so the following change has been made [#5628](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5628):
- X_SNAP and X_CHECKPOINT are marked for deprecation and will be removed in 24.6.0 in favor of SNAP and CHECKPOINT [#6405](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6405)
-`--Xp2p-peer-lower-bound` is deprecated. [#6501](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6501)
### Upcoming Breaking Changes
-`--Xbonsai-limit-trie-logs-enabled` will be removed. You will need to use `--bonsai-limit-trie-logs-enabled` instead. Additionally, this limit will change to be enabled by default.
- If you do not want the limit enabled (eg you have `--bonsai-historical-block-limit` set <512),youneedtoexplicitlydisableitusing`--bonsai-limit-trie-logs-enabled=false`orincreasethelimit. [#6561](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6561)
- Add `OperationTracer.tracePrepareTransaction`, where the sender account has not yet been altered[#6453](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6453)
- Introduce `--Xbonsai-limit-trie-logs-enabled` experimental feature which by default will only retain the latest 512 trie logs, saving about 3GB per week in database growth [#5390](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/5390)
- Introduce `besu storage x-trie-log prune` experimental offline subcommand which will prune all redundant trie logs except the latest 512 [#6303](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6303)
- Change ExecutionHaltReason for contract creation collision case to return ILLEGAL_STATE_CHANGE [#6518](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6518)
- Add `ethereum_min_gas_price` and `ethereum_min_priority_fee` metrics to track runtime values of `min-gas-price` and `min-priority-fee` [#6587](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6587)
- Option to perform version incompatibility checks when starting Besu. In this first release of the feature, if `--version-compatibility-protection` is set to true it checks that the version of Besu being started is the same or higher than the previous version. [6307](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6307)
- Fix the way an advertised host configured with `--p2p-host` is treated when communicating with the originator of a PING packet [#6225](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6225)
- Fix `poa-block-txs-selection-max-time` option that was inadvertently reset to its default after being configured [#6444](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6444)
- New `EXECUTION_HALTED` error returned if there is an error executing or simulating a transaction, with the reason for execution being halted. Replaces the generic `INTERNAL_ERROR` return code in certain cases which some applications may be checking for [#6343](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6343)
- The Besu Docker images with `openjdk-latest` tags since 23.10.3 were incorrectly using UID 1001 instead of 1000 for the container's `besu` user. The user now uses 1000 again. Containers created from or migrated to images using UID 1001 will need to chown their persistent database files to UID 1000 (thanks @h4l) [#6360](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6360)
- The deprecated `--privacy-onchain-groups-enabled` option has now been removed. Use the `--privacy-flexible-groups-enabled` option instead. [#6411](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6411)
- The time that can be spent selecting transactions during block creation is not capped at 5 seconds for PoS and PoW networks, and for PoA networks, at 75% of the block period specified in the genesis. This is to prevent possible DoS attacks in case a single transaction is taking too long to execute, and to have a stable block production rate. This could be a breaking change if an existing network needs to accept transactions that take more time to execute than the newly introduced limit. If it is mandatory for these networks to keep processing these long processing transaction, then the default value of `block-txs-selection-max-time` or `poa-block-txs-selection-max-time` needs to be tuned accordingly. [#6423](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6423)
- Optimize RocksDB WAL files, allows for faster restart and a more linear disk space utilization [#6328](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6328)
- Disable transaction handling when the node is not in sync, to avoid unnecessary transaction validation work [#6302](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6302)
- Introduce TransactionEvaluationContext to pass data between transaction selectors and plugin, during block creation [#6381](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6381)
- Options to tune the max allowed time that can be spent selecting transactions during block creation are now stable [#6423](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6423)
- INTERNAL_ERROR from `eth_estimateGas` JSON/RPC calls [#6344](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/6344)
- Fix Besu Docker images with `openjdk-latest` tags since 23.10.3 using UID 1001 instead of 1000 for the `besu` user [#6360](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6360)
- Fix to gas limit delta calculations used in block production. Besu should now increment or decrement the block gas limit towards its target correctly (thanks @arbora) #6425
Note, due to a CI race with the release job, the initial published version of 24.1.1 were overwritten by artifacts generated from the same sources, but differ in their embedded timestamps. The initial SHAs are noted here but are deprecated:
- Forest pruning (`pruning-enabled` option) is deprecated and will be removed soon. To save disk space consider switching to Bonsai data storage format [#6230](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6230)
- New `Sequenced` transaction pool. The pool is an evolution of the `legacy` pool and is likely to be more suitable to enterprise or permissioned chains than the `layered` transaction pool. Select to use this pool with `--tx-pool=sequenced`. Supports the same options as the `legacy` pool [#6274](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/6274)
- Optimize RocksDB WAL files, allows for faster restart and a more linear disk space utilization [#6328](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6328)
- Transactions that takes too long to evaluate, during block creation, are dropped from the txpool [#6163](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6163)
- Add `rpc-gas-cap` to allow users to set gas limit to the RPC methods used to simulate transactions[#6156](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6156)
- Fix the unavailability of `address` field when returning an `Account` entity on GraphQL in case of unreachable world state [#6198](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6198)
- Add `rocksdb usage` to the `storage` subcommand to allow users and dev to check columns families usage [#6185](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6185)
- TX pool eviction in the legacy TX pool now favours keeping oldest transactions (more likely to evict higher nonces, less likely to introduce nonce gaps) [#6106](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6106) and [#6146](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6146)
- Add APIs to set and get the min gas price a transaction must pay for being selected during block creation [#6097](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6097)
- New option `--min-priority-fee` that sets the minimum priority fee a transaction must meet to be selected for a block. [#6080](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6080) [#6083](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6083)
- Implement new `miner_setMinPriorityFee` and `miner_getMinPriorityFee` RPC methods [#6080](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6080)
- Force tx replacement price bump to zero when zero base fee market is configured or `--min-gas-price` is set to 0. This allows for easier tx replacement in networks where there is not gas price. [#6079](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6079)
- Introduce the possibility to limit the time spent selecting pending transactions during block creation, using the new experimental option `Xblock-txs-selection-max-time` on PoS and PoW networks (by default set to 5000ms) or `Xpoa-block-txs-selection-max-time` on PoA networks (by default 75% of the min block time) [#6044](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6044)
- Remove LowestInvalidNonceCache from `legacy` transaction pool to make it more private networks friendly [#6148](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6148)
- New option `--tx-pool-priority-senders` to specify a list of senders, that has the effect to prioritize any transactions sent by these senders from any source [#5959](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5959)
- Cache last n blocks by using a new Besu flag `--cache-last-blocks=n` [#6009](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6009)
- Optimize performances of RPC method `eth_feeHistory` [#6011](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6011) [#6035](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6035)
- Logging summary of plugins at Info as part of the config overview [#5964](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5964) [#6049](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6049)
- Layered tx pool memory improvements [#5985](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5985) [#5974](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5974)
- Update Bouncy Castle to 1.76, and force the use of the `jdk18on` variant [#5748](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5748)
- Add GraphQL support for new fields in Cancun [#5923](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5923) [#5975](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5975)
- Add new configuration options to the EVM Fluent APIs [#5930](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5930)
-`--tx-pool-disable-locals` has been deprecated for removal in favor of `--tx-pool-no-local-priority`, no semantic change, only a renaming [#5959](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5959)
### Layered Transaction Pool: the new default transaction pool implementation
With this release the previously experimental Layered txpool is marked stable and enabled by default, so please read the following instructions if you used to tune txpool behaviour,
otherwise you can simply go with the default and enjoy the improved performance of the new txpool.
#### Upgrading to Layered Transaction Pool
If you do not specify any txpool option, then you can skip this section.
If you have tuned the txpool using one of these options: `tx-pool-retention-hours`, `tx-pool-limit-by-account-percentage` or `tx-pool-max-size`,
then you need to update your configuration as described below:
-`tx-pool-retention-hours`: simply remove it, since it is not applicable in the Layered txpool, old transactions will eventually expire when the memory cache is full.
-`tx-pool-limit-by-account-percentage`: replace it with `tx-pool-max-future-by-sender`, which specify the max number of sequential transactions of single sender are kept in the txpool, by default it is 200.
-`tx-pool-max-size`: the Layered txpool is not limited by a max number of transactions, but by the estimated memory size the transactions occupy, so you need to remove this option, and to tune the max amount of memory<sup>*</sup> use the new option `tx-pool-layer-max-capacity` as described below.
You can still opt-out of the Layered txpool, setting `tx-pool=legacy` in config file or via cli argument, but be warned that the Legacy implementation will be deprecated for removal soon, so start testing the new implementation.
#### Configuring the Layered Transaction Pool
By default, the txpool is tuned for mainnet usage, but if you are using private networks or want to otherwise tune it, these are the new options:
-`tx-pool-max-future-by-sender`: specify the max number of sequential transactions of a single sender are kept in the txpool, by default it is 200, increase it to allow a single sender to fit more transactions in a single block. For private networks, this can safely be set in the hundreds or thousands if you want to ensure future transactions (with large nonce gaps) remain in the pool.
-`tx-pool-layer-max-capacity`: set the max amount of memory<sup>*</sup> in bytes, a single memory limited layer can occupy, by default is 12.5MB, keep in mind that there are 2 memory limited layers, so the expected memory consumption is twice the value specified by this option, so 25MB by default. Increase this value if you have spare RAM and the eviction rate is high for your network.
-`tx-pool-max-prioritized`: set the max number of transactions allowed in the first layer, that only contains transactions that are candidate for inclusion in the next block creation task. It makes sense to limit the value to the max number of transactions that fit in a block in your network, by default is 2000.
<sup>*</sup>: the memory used by the txpool is an estimation, we are working to make it always more accurate.
- Layered transaction pool implementation is now stable and enabled by default, so the following changes to experimental options have been done [#5772](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5772):
-`--Xlayered-tx-pool-layer-max-capacity`, `--Xlayered-tx-pool-max-prioritized` and `--Xlayered-tx-pool-max-future-by-sender` just drop the `Xlayered-` and keep the same behavior
- Layered transaction pool implementation is now stable and enabled by default. If you want still to use the legacy implementation, use `--tx-pool=legacy`.
By default, the new transaction pool is capped at using 25MB of memory, this limit can be raised using `--layered-tx-pool-layer-max-capacity` options [#5772](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5772)
- Tune G1GC to reduce Besu memory footprint, and new `besu-untuned` start scripts to run without any specific G1GC flags [#5879](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5879)
- Reduce `engine_forkchoiceUpdatedV?` response time by asynchronously process block added events in the transaction pool [#5909](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5909)
- JSON output is now compact by default. This can be overridden by the new `--json-pretty-print-enabled` CLI option. [#5766](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5766)
- New `eth_getBlockReceipts` JSON-RPC method to retrieve all transaction receipts for a block in a single call [#5771](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5771)
- EvmTool now executes the `execution-spec-tests` via the `t8n` and `b11r`. See the [README](ethereum/evmtool/README.md) in EvmTool for more instructions.
- Improve lifecycle management of the transaction pool [#5634](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5634)
- Add extension points in AbstractCreateOperation for EVM libraries to react to contract creations [#5656](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5656)
- Use the node's configuration to determine if DNS enode URLs are allowed in calls to `admin_addPeer` and `admin_removePeer` [#5584](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5584)
- Align the implementation of Eth/68 `NewPooledTransactionHashes` to other clients, using unsigned int for encoding size. [#5640](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5640)
- Move blockchain related variables in a dedicated storage, to pave the way to future optimizations [#5471](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5471). The migration is performed automatically at startup,
and in case a rollback is needed, before installing a previous version, the migration can be reverted, using the subcommand `storage revert-variables` with the same configuration use to run Besu.
- Remove deprecated Rinkeby named network. [#5540](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5540)
- Use BlobDB for blockchain storage to reduce initial sync time and write amplification (PR #5475). This PR reduces sync time by 14 hours on m6a.xlarge VM (1 day 8 hours 27 minutes instead of 1 day 22 hours 4 minutes).
- Add healing flat db mechanism with early access CLI options `--Xsnapsync-synchronizer-flat-db-healing-enabled=true` [#5319](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5319)
- "Big-EOF" (the EOF version initially slotted for Shanghai) has been moved from Cancun to FutureEIPs [#5429](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5429)
- New optional feature to save the txpool content to file on shutdown and reloading it on startup [#5434](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5434)
- New option to send SNI header in TLS ClientHello message [#5439](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5439)
- Ignore `min-block-occupancy-ratio` option when on PoS networks, since in some cases, it prevents to have full blocks even if enough transactions are present [#5491](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5491)
- Fix eth_feeHistory response for the case in which blockCount is higher than highestBlock requested. [#5397](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5397)
- Fix Besu Docker image failing to start due to NoClassDefFoundError with org.xerial.snappy.Snappy library. [#5462](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5462)
- In `evmtool` (an offline EVM executor tool principally used for reference tests), the `--prestate` and `--genesis` options no longer parse genesis files containing IBFT, QBFT, and Clique network definitions. The same genesis files will work with those json entries removed. [#5192](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5192)
- In `--ethstats`, if the port is not specified in the URI, it will default to 443 and 80 for ssl and non-ssl connections respectively instead of 3000. [#5301](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5301)
- Default configuration for the deprecated ECIP-1049 network has been removed from the CLI network list [#5371](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5371)
- An alternate build target for the EVM using GraalVM AOT compilation was added. [#5192](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5192)
- To generate the binary install and use GraalVM 23.3.r17 or higher and run `./gradlew nativeCompile`. The binary will be located in `ethereum/evmtool/build/native/nativeCompile`
- Upgrade RocksDB version from 7.7.3 to 8.0.0. Besu Team [contributed](https://github.com/facebook/rocksdb/pull/11099) to this release to make disabling checksum verification work.
- Log an error with stacktrace when RPC responds with internal error [#5288](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5288)
-`--ethstats-cacert` to specify root CA of ethstats server (useful for non-production environments). [#5301](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5301)
- Offload LogBloom cache generation to computation executor, to avoid interfere with other scheduled tasks [#4530](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4530)
- Renamed --bonsai-maximum-back-layers-to-load option to --bonsai-historical-block-limit for clarity. Removed --Xbonsai-use-snapshots option as it is no longer functional [#5337](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5337)
- Changed wrong error message "Invalid params" when private tx is reverted to "Execution reverted" with correct revert reason in data. [#5369](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5369)
This update is strongly recommended for anyone running Nimbus with Besu. Due to the way Nimbus send request data, this can lead to a missed block proposal in certain circumstances.
### Bug Fixes
Add withdrawals to payloadId calculation to avoid collisions #5321
This update is required for the Goerli Shanghai/Capella upgrade and recommended for all Mainnet users. If you use Besu on Goerli, update to 23.1.1. If you previously used 23.1.1-RC1, update to test 23.1.1 on Goerli.
### Breaking Changes
### Additions and Improvements
- Add support for Shanghai in Sepolia https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5088
- Add implementation for engine_getPayloadBodiesByRangeV1 and engine_getPayloadBodiesByHashV1 https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4980
- If a PoS block creation repetition takes less than a configurable duration, then waits before next repetition https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5048
- Allow other users to read the /opt/besu dir when using docker https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5092
- Invalid params - add some error detail #5066
- Added the option --kzg-trusted-setup to pass a custom setup file for custom networks or to override the default one for named networks [#5084](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5084)
- Gas accounting for EIP-4844 [#4992](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4992)
- Goerli configs for shapella [#5151](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5151)
This release has everything from [23.1.0](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/releases/tag/23.1.0) and in addition the following:
### Additions and Improvements
- Add support for Shanghai in Sepolia https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5088
- Add implementation for engine_getPayloadBodiesByRangeV1 and engine_getPayloadBodiesByHashV1 https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4980
- If a PoS block creation repetition takes less than a configurable duration, then waits before next repetition https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5048
- Allow other users to read the /opt/besu dir when using docker https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5092
Besu 23.1.0 is a recommended update for Mainnet users. Thank you all for your patience as we crafted this quarterly release.
This is a rather large release with some breaking changes, so please be sure to read these notes carefully before you upgrade any Besu instances. We are including a move to Java 17 LTS. To build and run Besu, please make sure you have Java 17 on the host machine. Additionally, there are a host of spec compliance changes that change existing formats, so please check the specific RPC updates. Lastly, this release formalizes a deprecation notice for GoQuorum privacy modes and IBFT1.0 in Besu. These will be removed in the 23.4 series, unless otherwise stated.
From the improvements and fixes side, we have a host of execution performance improvements and fixes for defects with bonsai storage. We have also included an error detection and auto-heal capability for nodes that encounter state issues. This should keep nodes online and validating that may have previously required a resync.
One final note. 23.1.0 is not a Shanghai ready release. If you intend to test Besu on the long-lived testnets like Zhejiang, please [follow the instructions here](https://notes.ethereum.org/@launchpad/zhejiang). We will have more to share on our official Shanghai releases soon.
- Default configurations for the deprecated Ropsten, Kiln, Shandong, and Astor networks have been removed from the CLI network list. These networks can currently be accessed but will require a user-provided genesis configuration. [#4869](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4869)
- GoQuorum-compatible privacy is deprecated and will be removed in 23.4
- IBFT 1.0 is deprecated and will be removed in 23.4
- Optimize SSTORE Operation execution time (memoize current and original value) [#4836](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4836)
- Improve SLOAD and SSTORE performance by caching empty slots [#4874](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4874)
- RPC methods that lookup block by hash will now return an error response if no block found [#4582](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4582)
- Added support for `safe` and `finalized` strings for the RPC methods using defaultBlock parameter [#4902](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4902)
- Added post-execution state logging option to EVM Tool [#4709](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4709)
- Add access list to Transaction Call Object [#4802](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/4801)
- Add timestamp fork support, including shanghaiTime and cancunTime forks [#4743](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4743)
- Optimization: Memoize transaction size and hash at the same time [#4812](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4812)
- Add chain data pruning feature with three experimental CLI options: `--Xchain-pruning-enabled`, `--Xchain-pruning-blocks-retained` and `--Xchain-pruning-frequency` [#4686](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4686)
- Note that chain pruning is hidden and disabled by default. Once you choose to enable chain pruning, a new column family will be added to the db and you cannot roll back to a previous versi
- Mitigation fix for stale bonsai code storage leading to log rolling issues on contract recreates [#4906](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4906)
- Ensure latest cached layered worldstate is subscribed to storage, fix problem with RPC calls using 'latest' [#5076](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/5076)
- Default configurations for the deprecated Ropsten, Kiln, Shandong, and Astor networks have been removed from the CLI network list. These networks can currently be accessed but will require a user-provided genesis configuration. [#4869](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4869)
- Added support for `safe` and `finalized` strings for the RPC methods using defaultBlock parameter [#4902](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4902)
- Add chain data pruning feature with three experimental CLI options: `--Xchain-pruning-enabled`, `--Xchain-pruning-blocks-retained` and `--Xchain-pruning-frequency` [#4686](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4686)
- Note that chain pruning is hidden and disabled by default. Once you choose to enable chain pruning, a new column family will be added to the db and you cannot roll back to a previous version of Besu.
- Added `--rpc-max-logs-range` CLI option to allow limiting the number of blocks queried by `eth_getLogs` RPC API. Default value: 1000 [#4597](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4597)
- The `graalvm` docker variant no longer meets the performance requirements for Ethereum Mainnet. The `openjdk-11` and `openjdk-latest` variants are recommended in its place.
- Added experimental CLI options `--Xeth-capability-max` and `--Xeth-capability-min` to specify a range of capabilities to be supported by the Eth protocol. [#4752](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4752)
- Explain and improve price validation for London and local transactions during block proposal selection [#4602](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4602)
- Remove some log statements that are keeping some objects live in heap for a long time, to reduce the amount of memory required during initial sync [#4705](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4705)
- Improve the way transaction fee cap validation is done on London fee market to not depend on transient network conditions [#4598](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4598)
- Flexible Privacy Groups (early access) support to Tessera's EC encryptor (contracts modified) [#4282](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4282)
* Before this change, the `bytes32` type was used for the enclave public keys, just supporting encryptors with public keys of that length (like the default NaCl)
* For the EC encryptor, the encoded public key length is 91
-`--tx-pool-hashes-max-size` option removed (deprecated in 22.1.3)
- Breaking API changes in the `OperationTracer` interface to enable performance work.
* The `traceExecution` method has been replaced with `tracePreExecution` and `tracePostExecution` methods, called just before and just after operation execution.
* See `DebugOperationTracer` and `StandardJsonTracer` for migration examples.
- Update snapsync feature to avoid restarting the download of the world state from scratch when restarting Besu [#4381](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4381)
- Added worldstate snapshot isolation to improve the stability of bonsai (`--Xbonsai-use-snapshots=true`) [#4351](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4531)
- Reduce the number of runtime exceptions (SecurityModuleException) and unnecessary executions during ECIES handshake, by trying to decrypt EIP-8 formatted messages first [#4508](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4508).
- Improved RLP processing of zero-length string as 0x80 [#4283](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4283) [#4388](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/4388)
- Increased level of detail in JSON-RPC parameter error log messages [#4510](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4510)
- New unstable configuration options to set the maximum time, in milliseconds, a PoS block creation jobs is allowed to run [#4519](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4519)
- Tune EthScheduler thread pools to avoid recreating too many threads [#4529](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4529)
- RocksDB snapshot based worldstate and plugin-api addition of Snapshot interfaces [#4409](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4409)
- Continuously try to build better block proposals until timeout or GetPayload is called [#4516](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4516)
- Upgrade RocksDB database version from 6.29.5 to 7.6.0 [#4517](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4517)
- Avoid connecting to self when using static-nodes [#4521](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4521)
- EVM performance has increased 20%-100% depending on the particulars of the contract. [#4540](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4540)
- Improve calculateRootHash method performance during Block processing [#4568](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4568)
- Bring GraphQL into compliance with execution-api specs [#4112](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4112)
- Fixed default fromBlock value and improved parameter interpretation in eth_getLogs RPC handler [#4513](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4513)
- Fix for NoSuchElementException for missing invalid reason when rejecting a local sent transaction [#4569](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4569)
- Flexible Privacy Groups (early access) support to Tessera's EC encryptor (contracts modified) [#4282](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4282)
* Before this change, the `bytes32` type was used for the enclave public keys, just supporting encryptors with public keys of that length (like the default NaCl)
* For the EC encryptor, the encoded public key length is 91
- Breaking API changes in the `OperationTracer` interface to enable performance work.
* The `traceExecution` method has been replaced with `tracePreExecution` and `tracePostExecution` methods, called just before and just after operation execution.
* See `DebugOperationTracer` and `StandardJsonTracer` for migration examples.
- Reduce the number of runtime exceptions (SecurityModuleException) and unnecessary executions during ECIES handshake, by trying to decrypt EIP-8 formatted messages first [#4508](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4508).
- New experimental configuration options to set the maximum time, in milliseconds, a PoS block creation jobs is allowed to run [#4519](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4519)
- Tune EthScheduler thread pools to avoid recreating too many threads [#4529](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/4529)
- Reduce the number of runtime exceptions (SecurityModuleException) and unnecessary executions during ECIES handshake, by trying to decrypt EIP-8 formatted messages first [#4508](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4508).
- The block variable was keeping too much memory while waiting for future to finish [#4489](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/4489)
### Bug Fixes
- Corrects treating a block as bad on internal error [#4512](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/4512)
- update appache-commons-text to 1.10.0 to address CVE-2022-42889 [#4542](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4542)
- In GraphQL update scalar parsing to be variable friendly [#4522](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4522)
Hotfix release of the 22.7.x series to address [#4495](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/4495) which could result in failed block proposals on merge networks.
### Additions and Improvements
- Bring GraphQL into compliance with execution-api specs [#4112](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4112)
### Bug Fixes
- Corrects emission of blockadded events when rewinding during a re-org. [#4497](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/4497)
- Avoid sending added block events to transaction pool, and processing incoming transactions during initial sync [#4457](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4457)
- Remove records that track transactions by sender when they are empty to same memory in the transaction pool [#4415](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4415)
- Resets engine QoS timer with every call to the engine API instead of only when ExchangeTransitionConfiguration is called [#4411](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/4411)
- ExchangeTransitionConfiguration mismatch will only submit a debug log not a warning anymore [#4411](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/4411)
- Transaction pool improvements to avoid filling the pool with not executable transactions, that could result in empty or semi-empty block proposals [#4425](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4425)
- Retry block creation if there is a transient error and we still have time, to mitigate empty block issue [#4407](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4407)
- Fix StacklessClosedChannelException in Besu and resulted timeout errors in CL clients ([#4398](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/4398), [#4400](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/4400))
- Return JSON-RPC error code instead of INVALID in engine api when certain storage exceptions are encountered ([#4349](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/4349))
### Besu 22.7.2 is a recommended release for the Merge and Mainnet users. 22.7.1 remains Merge-ready. This release provides additional robustness before the Merge with some fixes and improvements in sync, peering, and logging.
- Pandas! Pandas now appear in 3 phases: The black bear and polar bear that are preparing? Those will appear when
your client has TTD configured (which is setup by default for mainnet), is in sync, and processing Proof of Work blocks. In the second phase you will see them powering up when the Terminal Total Difficulty block is added to the blockchain.
The final form of the Ethereum Panda will appear when the first finalized block is received from the Consensus Layer.
- Fixes previous known issue [#3890](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3890)from RC3 requiring a restart post-merge to continue correct transaction handling.
- Remove block header checks during backward sync, since they will be always performed during block import phase [#4098](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4098)
- Changed max message size in the p2p layer to 16.7MB from 10MB to improve peering performance [#4120](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4120)
- Fixes for parent stateroot mismatch when using Bonsai storage mode (please report if you encounter this bug on this version) [#4094](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4094)
- Above Bonsai related fixes have addressed situations where the event log was not indexed properly [#3921](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3921)
- Fixes related to backward sync and reorgs [#4097](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4097)
- Checkpoint sync with more merge friendly checkpoint blocks [#4085](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4085)
- Fixes around RocksDB performance and memory usage [#4128](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4128)
- Fix for RPC performance parallelization to improve RPC performance under heavy load [#3959](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3959)
- Fix for post-Merge peering after PoW is removed in our logic for weighting peers [#4116](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4116)
- Various logging changes to improve UX- Return the correct latest valid hash in case of bad block when calling engine methods [#4056](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/4056)
- In the Besu EVM Library all references to SHA3 have been renamed to the more accurate name Keccak256, including class names and comment. [#3749](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3749)
- Column family added for backward sync [#3638](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3638)
- Note that this added column family makes this a one-way upgrade. That is, once you upgrade your db to this version, you cannot roll back to a previous version of Besu.
- In the Besu EVM Library all references to SHA3 have been renamed to the more accurate name Kecack256, including class names and comment. [#3749](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3749)
- Log the enodeURL that was previously only throwing an IllegalStateException during the isPermitted check [#3697](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3697),
- Fail startup if node permissioning smart contract version does not match [#3765](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3765)
- Adapt Fast sync, and Snap sync, to use finalized block, from consensus layer, as pivot after the Merge [#3506](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3506)
- Column family added for backward sync [#3638](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3638)
- Note that this added column family makes this a one-way upgrade. That is, once you upgrade your db to this version, you cannot roll back to a previous version of Besu.
- Remove the experimental flag for bonsai tries CLI options `--data-storage-format` and `--bonsai-maximum-back-layers-to-load` [#3578](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3578)
- Column family added for backward sync [#3532](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3532)
- Note that this added column family makes this a one-way upgrade. That is, once you upgrade your db to this version, you cannot roll back to a previous version of Besu.
- Allow mining beneficiary to transition at specific blocks for ibft2 and qbft consensus mechanisms. [#3115](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3115)
- Extend validateAndProcessBlock to return an error message in case of failure, so it can be returned to the caller of ExecutePayload API [#3411](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3411)
- Plugin API: BlockHeader.getBaseFee() method now returns an optional Wei instead of an optional Long [#3065](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3065)
- Removed deprecated hash variable `protected volatile Hash hash;` which was used for private transactions [#3110](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3110)
- Add support for additional JWT authentication algorithms [#3017](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3017)
- Represent baseFee as Wei instead of long accordingly to the spec [#2785](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/2785)
- Implements [EIP-4399](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-4399) to repurpose DIFFICULTY opcode after the merge as a source of entropy from the Beacon chain. [#3081](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3081)
- Re-order external services (e.g JsonRpcHttpService) to start before blocks start processing [#3118](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3118)
- Stream JSON RPC responses to avoid creating big JSON strings in memory [#3076](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3076)
- Ethereum Classic Mystique Hard Fork [#3256](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3256)
- Genesis file parameter `blockperiodseconds` is validated as a positive integer on startup to prevent unexpected runtime behaviour [#3186](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3186)
- Changing the order in which we traverse the word state tree during fast sync. This should improve fast sync during subsequent pivot changes.[#3202](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3202)
- Updated besu-native to version 0.4.3 [#3331](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3331)
- Refactor synchronizer to asynchronously retrieve blocks from peers, and to change peer when retrying to get a block. [#3326](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3326)
- Change the base docker image from Debian Buster to Ubuntu 20.04 [#3171](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3171) fixes [#3045](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3045)
- Make 'to' field optional in eth_call method according to the spec [#3177](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3177)
- Update to log4j 2.17.1. Resolves potential vulnerability only exploitable when using custom log4j configurations that are writable by untrusted users.
- Fix a sync issue, when the chain downloader incorrectly shutdown when a task in the pipeline is cancelled. [#3319](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3319)
- Change the base docker image from Debian Buster to Ubuntu 20.04 [#3171](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3171) fixes [#3045](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3045)
### Download links
This release is not recommended for production use.
- Represent baseFee as Wei instead of long accordingly to the spec [#2785](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/2785)
- Adding support of the NO_COLOR environment variable as described in the [NO_COLOR](https://no-color.org/) standard [#3085](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3085)
- Add `privx_findFlexiblePrivacyGroup` RPC Method, `privx_findOnchainPrivacyGroup` will be removed in a future release [#3075](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3075)
- The invalid value is now shown when `--bootnodes` cannot parse an item to make it easier to identify which option is invalid.
- Adding two new options to be able to specify desired TLS protocol version and Java cipher suites [#3105](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/3105)
- Implements [EIP-4399](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-4399) to repurpose DIFFICULTY opcode after the merge as a source of entropy from the Beacon chain. [#3081](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3081)
### Bug Fixes
- Change the base docker image from Debian Buster to Ubuntu 20.04 [#3171](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3171) fixes [#3045](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3045)
- Do not change the sender balance, but set gas fee to zero, when simulating a transaction without enforcing balance checks. [#2454](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2454)
- Fixes the exit condition for loading a BonsaiPersistedWorldState for a sibling block of the last one persisted [#2967](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2967)
- The EVM has been factored out into a standalone module, suitable for inclusion as a library. [#2790](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2790)
- Low level performance improvements changes to cut worst-case EVM performance in half. [#2796](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2796)
- Migrate `ExceptionalHaltReason` from an enum to an interface to allow downstream users of the EVM to add new exceptional halt reasons. [#2810](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2810)
- reduces need for JUMPDEST analysis via caching [#2607](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2821)
- Add support for custom private key file for public-key export and public-key export-address commands [#2801](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2801)
- Allow BESU_CONFIG_FILE environment to specify TOML file [#2455](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/2455)
- Fix bug with private contracts not able to call public contracts that call public contracts [#2816](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2816)
- Fixes the exit condition for loading a BonsaiPersistedWorldState for a sibling block of the last one persisted [#2967](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2967)
- Fixes the exit condition for loading a BonsaiPersistedWorldState for a sibling block of the last one persisted [#2967](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2967)
- The EVM has been factored out into a standalone module, suitable for inclusion as a library. [#2790](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2790)
- Low level performance improvements changes to cut worst-case EVM performance in half. [#2796](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2796)
- Migrate `ExceptionalHaltReason` from an enum to an interface to allow downstream users of the EVM to add new exceptional halt reasons. [#2810](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2810)
- Add support for custom private key file for public-key export and public-key export-address commands [#2801](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2801)
- Set an idle timeout for metrics connections, to clean up ports when no longer used [\#2748](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2748)
- Onchain privacy groups can be unlocked after being locked without having to add a participant [\#2693](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2693)
- Update Gas Schedule for Ethereum Classic [#2746](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2746)
- A native library was added for the alternative signature algorithm secp256r1, which will be used by default [#2630](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2630)
- The command line option --Xsecp-native-enabled was added as an alias for --Xsecp256k1-native-enabled [#2630](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2630)
- \[EXPERIMENTAL\] Added support for using DNS host name in place of IP address in onchain node permissioning rules [#2667](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2667)
- GetTransactionCount should return the latest transaction count if it is greater than the transaction pool [\#2633](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2633)
- Fixed disabling of native libraries for secp256k1 and altBn128. [\#2163](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2163)
- eth_feeHistory API for wallet providers [\#2466](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2466)
### Bug Fixes
- Ibft2 could create invalid RoundChange messages in some circumstances containing duplicate prepares [\#2449](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2449)
- Updated `eth_sendRawTransaction` to return an error when maxPriorityFeePerGas exceeds maxFeePerGas [\#2424](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2424)
- Fixed NoSuchElementException with EIP1559 transaction receipts when using eth_getTransactionReceipt [\#2477](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2477)
- QBFT is a Byzantine Fault Tolerant consensus algorithm, building on the capabilities of IBFT and IBFT 2.0. It aims to provide performance improvements in cases of excess round change, and provides interoperability with other EEA compliant clients, such as GoQuorum.
- Note: QBFT currently only supports new networks. Existing networks using IBFT2.0 cannot migrate to QBFT. This will become available in a future release.
- Note: QBFT is an early access feature pending community feedback. Please make use of QBFT in new development networks and reach out in case of issues or concerns
- GoQuorum-compatible privacy. This mode uses Tessera and is interoperable with GoQuorum.
- Note: GoQuorum-compatible privacy is an early access feature pending community feedback.
- Ibft2 could create invalid RoundChange messages in some circumstances containing duplicate prepares [\#2449](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2449)
- Updated `eth_sendRawTransaction` to return an error when maxPriorityFeePerGas exceeds maxFeePerGas [\#2424](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2424)
* Added support for the upcoming CALAVERAS ephemeral testnet and removed the configuration for the deprecated BAIKAL ephemeral testnet. [\#2343](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2343)
- Fixed issue in discv5 where nonce was incorrectly reused. [\#2075](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2075)
- Fixed issues in debug_standardTraceBadBlockToFile and debug_standardTraceBlockToFile. [\#2120](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2120)
- Fixed invalid error code in several JSON RPC methods when the requested block is not in the range. [\#2138](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2138)
* Added support for the upcoming BAIKAL ephemeral testnet and removed the configuration for the deprecated YOLOv3 ephemeral testnet. [\#2237](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2237)
* Implemented [EIP-3541](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-3541): Reject new contracts starting with the 0xEF byte [\#2243](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2243)
- Fixed invalid error code in several JSON RPC methods when the requested block is not in the range. [\#2138](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2138)
- Fixed `NullPointerException` when crossing network upgrade blocks when peer discovery is disabled. [\#2140](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2140)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
* Ethereum Node Records are now dynamically recalculated when we pass network upgrade blocks. This allows for better peering through transitions without needing to restart the node. [\#1998](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1998)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
### Important note: the 21.1.1 release contains an outdated version of the Berlin network upgrade. If you are using Besu on public Ethereum networks, you must upgrade to 21.1.2.
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
### Important note: this release contains an outdated version of the Berlin network upgrade. If you are using Besu on public Ethereum networks, you must upgrade to 21.1.2.
* Added `besu_transaction_pool_transactions` to the reported metrics, counting the mempool size [\#1869](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1869)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
### Important note: this release contains an outdated version of the Berlin network upgrade, which was changed on March 5, 2021 ([link](https://github.com/ethereum/pm/issues/263#issuecomment-791473406)). If you are using Besu on public Ethereum networks, you must upgrade to 21.1.2.
* Besu Launcher: Besu now has support for the [Quorum Mainnet Launcher](https://github.com/ConsenSys/quorum-mainnet-launcher) which makes it easy for users to configure and launch Besu on the Ethereum mainnet.
* Bonsai Tries: A new database format which reduces storage requirements and improves performance for access to recent state. _Note: only full sync is currently supported._
* Miner Data JSON-RPC: The `eth_getMinerDataByBlockHash` and `eth_getMinerDataByBlockNumber` endpoints return miner rewards and coinbase address for a given block.
* EIP-1898 support: [The EIP](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-1898) adds `blockHash` to JSON-RPC methods which accept a default block parameter.
### Early Access Features
* Bonsai Tries: A new database format which reduces storage requirements and improves performance for access to recent state. _Note: only full sync is currently supported._
* QBFT: A new consensus algorithm to support interoperability with other Enterprise Ethereum Alliance compatible clients.
### 21.1.0 Breaking Changes
*`--skip-pow-validation-enabled` is now an error with `block import --format JSON`. This is because the JSON format doesn't include the nonce so the proof of work must be calculated.
*`eth_call` will not return a JSON-RPC result if the call fails, but will return an error instead. If it was for a revert the revert reason will be included.
*`eth_call` will not fail for account balance issues by default. An parameter `"strict": true` can be added to the call parameters (with `to` and `from`) to enforce balance checks.
### Additions and Improvements
* Added `besu_transaction_pool_transactions` to the reported metrics, counting the mempool size [\#1869](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1869)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
* Support for the Berlin Network Upgrade, although the block number must be set manually with `--override-genesis-config=berlinBlock=<blocknumber>`. This is because the block numbers haven't been determined yet. The next release will include the number in the genesis file so it will support Berlin with no intervention. [\#1898](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1898)
*`--skip-pow-validation-enabled` is now an error with `block import --format JSON`. This is because the JSON format doesn't include the nonce so the proof of work must be calculated.
*`eth_call` will not return a JSON-RPC result if the call fails, but will return an error instead. If it was for a revert the revert reason will be included.
*`eth_call` will not fail for account balance issues by default. An parameter `"strict": true` can be added to the call parameters (with `to` and `from`) to enforce balance checks.
*`--skip-pow-validation-enabled` is now an error with `block import --format JSON`. This is because the JSON format doesn't include the nonce so the proof of work must be calculated. [\#1815](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1815)
* Return the revert reason from `eth_call` JSON-RPC api calls when the contract causes a revert. [\#1829](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1829)
* Added `chainId`, `publicKey`, and `raw` to JSON-RPC api calls returning detailed transaction results. [\#1835](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1835)
* Ethereum classic heights will no longer be reported in mainnet metrics. Issue [\#1751](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1751) Fix [\#1820](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1820)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
Link removed because this release contains an outdated version of the Berlin network upgrade, which was changed on March 5, 2021 ([link](https://github.com/ethereum/pm/issues/263#issuecomment-791473406)). If you are using Besu on public Ethereum networks, you must upgrade to 21.1.1. sha256 hash left for reference.
* Implemented [EIP-1898](https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-1898): Add `blockHash` to JSON-RPC methods which accept a default block parameter [\#1757](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1757)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
* Added `memory` as an option to `--key-value-storage`. This ephemeral storage is intended for sync testing and debugging. [\#1617](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1617)
* Block Validation Errors should be at least INFO level not DEBUG or TRACE. Bug [\#1568](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1568) PR [\#1706](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1706)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
* Added protocols section to `admin_peers` to provide info about peer health. [\#1582](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1582)
* Added CLI option `--goquorum-compatibility-enabled` to enable GoQuorum compatibility mode. [#1598](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1598). Note that this mode is incompatible with Mainnet.
* Ibft2 will discard any received messages targeting a chain height <= current head - this resolves some corner cases in system correctness directly following block import. [#1575](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1575)
* EvmTool now throws `UnsupportedForkException` when there is an unknown fork and is YOLOv2 compatible [\#1584](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1584)
*`eth_newFilter` now supports `blockHash` parameter as per the spec [\#1548](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/1540). (`blockhash` is also still supported.)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
*`--random-peer-priority-enabled` flag added. Allows for incoming connections to be prioritized randomly. This will prevent (typically small, stable) networks from forming impenetrable peer cliques. [#1440](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1440)
* Prioritize high gas prices during mining. Previously we ordered only by the order in which the transactions were received. This will increase expected profit when mining. [\#1449](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1449)
* Added support for the updated smart contract-based [node permissioning EEA interface](https://entethalliance.github.io/client-spec/spec.html#dfn-connectionallowed). [\#1435](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1435) and [\#1496](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1496)
* Added EvmTool binary to the distribution. EvmTool is a CLI that can execute EVM bytecode and execute ethereum state tests. [\#1465](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1465)
* Updated the libraries for secp256k1 and AltBN series precompiles. These updates provide significant performance improvements to those areas. [\#1499](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1499)
* Provide MegaGas/second measurements in the log when doing a full block import, such as the catch up phase of a fast sync. [\#1512](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1512)
* Added new endpoints to get miner data, `eth_getMinerDataByBlockHash` and `eth_getMinerDataByBlockNumber`. [\#1538](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1538)
* Added support for `qip714block` config parameter in genesis file, paving the way towards permissioning interoperability between Besu and GoQuorum. [\#1545](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1545)
* Fix a bug on `eth_estimateGas` which returned `Internal error` instead of `Execution reverted` in case of reverted transaction. [\#1478](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1478)
* Fixed a bug where Local Account Permissioning was being incorrectly enforced on block import/validation. [\#1510](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1510)
* Add a more rational value to eth_gasPrice, based on a configurable percentile of prior block's transactions (default: median of last 100 blocks). [\#1563](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1563)
- CLI option `--privacy-precompiled-address` option removed. This address is now derived, based on `--privacy-onchain-groups-enabled`. [\#1222](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1222)
The [Besu Sample Networks repository](https://github.com/ConsenSys/besu-sample-networks) has been replaced by the [Quorum Developer Quickstart](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Tutorials/Developer-Quickstart).
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
Hyperledger Besu is moving its versioning scheme to [CalVer](https://calver.org/) starting with the 20.10.0 (formerly 1.6.0) release. More information about the specific version of CalVer Besu is using can be found on the [wiki](https://wiki.hyperledger.org/display/BESU/Using+CalVer+for+Besu+Releases).
Prior versions of Besu would set the HTTP Status 400 Bad Request for JSON-RPC requests that completed in an error, regardless of the kind of error. These responses could include a complete JSON-RPC response with an error field.
In Besu version 20.10, properly formatted requests that have valid parameters (count and content) will return a HTTP Status 200 OK, with an error field if an error occurred. For example, requesting an account that does not exist in the chain, or a block by hash that Besu does not have, will now return HTTP 200 OK responses. Unparsable requests, improperly formatted requests, or requests with invalid parameters will continue to return HTTP 400 Bad Request.
Users of Web3J should note that many calls will now return a result with the error field containing the message whereas before a call would throw an exception with the error message as the exception message.
* Added EvmTool binary to the distribution. EvmTool is a CLI that can execute EVM bytecode and execute ethereum state tests. Documentation for it is available [here](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/stable/HowTo/Troubleshoot/Use-EVM-Tool/). [\#1465](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1465)
* Added support for the upcoming YOLOv2 ephemeral testnet and removed the flag for the deprecated YOLOv1 ephemeral testnet. [#1386](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1386)
* Added `debug_standardTraceBlockToFile` JSON-RPC API. This API accepts a block hash and will replay the block. It returns a list of files containing the result of the trace (one file per transaction). [\#1392](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1392)
* Added `debug_standardTraceBadBlockToFile` JSON-RPC API. This API is similar to `debug_standardTraceBlockToFile`, but can be used to obtain info about a block which has been rejected as invalid. [\#1403](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1403)
* Added support for multi-tenancy when using the early access feature of [onchain privacy group management](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/stable/Concepts/Privacy/Onchain-PrivacyGroups/)
* \[Reverted\] Fixed memory leak in eth/65 subprotocol behavior. It is now enabled by default. [\#1420](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1420), [#1348](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1348), [#1321](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1321)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
* The new version of the [web3js-eea library (v0.10)](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/web3js-eea) supports the onchain privacy group management changes made in Besu v1.5.3.
* Added `debug_getBadBlocks` JSON-RPC API to analyze and detect consensus flaws. Even if a block is rejected it will be returned by this method [\#1378](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1378)
* Fix logs queries missing results against chain head [\#1351](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1351) and [\#1381](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1381)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
- [Changes not saved to database correctly causing inconsistent private states](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#Changes-not-saved-to-database-correctly-causing-inconsistent-private-states)
* Added `priv_debugGetStateRoot` JSON-RPC API to retrieve the state root of a specified privacy group. [\#1326](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1326)
* Added reorg logging and `--reorg-logging-threshold` to configure the same. Besu now logs any reorgs where the old or new chain head is more than the threshold away from their common ancestors. The default is 6.
* Added `debug_batchSendRawTransaction` JSON-RPC API to submit multiple signed transactions with a single call. [\#1350](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1350)
* The metrics HTTP server no longer rejects requests containing `Accept` header that doesn't precisely match the prometheus text format [\#1345](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1345)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
- [Changes not saved to database correctly causing inconsistent private states](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#Changes-not-saved-to-database-correctly-causing-inconsistent-private-states)
* Early access DNS support added via the `--Xdns-enabled` and `--Xdns-update-enabled` CLI options. [\#1247](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1247)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
This [early access feature](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/stable/Concepts/Privacy/Onchain-PrivacyGroups/) was changed in a way that makes onchain privacy groups created with previous versions no longer usable.
The onchain privacy support in the current version of the web3js-eea library (v0.9) will not be compatible with Besu v1.5.3. We are actively working on an upgrade to webj3-eea that will support these changes.
* Experimental offline backup and restore has been added via the `operator x-backup-state` and `operator x-restore-state` CLI commands. Data formats will be fluid for as long as the `x-` prefix is present in the CLI so it is advised not to rely on these backups for disaster recovery. [\#1235](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1235)
* Experimental ethstats support added via the `Xethstats` and `Xethstats-contact` CLI commands. [\#1239](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1239)
* Peers added via the JSON-RPC `admin_addPeer` and `admin_removePeer` will be shared or no longer shared via discovery respectively. Previously they were not shared. [\#1177](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1177) contributed by [br0tchain](https://github.com/br0tchain).
* New docker images are being generated to use the latest version of OpenJDK (currently 14.0.1) with the tag suffix of `-openjdk-latest`, for example `1.5.2-openjdk-latest`.
The intent is that the major Java VM version or Java VM type shipped with the default docker images (`latest`, `1.5.x`, etc.) may be changed during future quarterly releases but will remain consistent within quarterly releases.
- GraphQL queries of `miner` in IBFT networks will no longer return an error. PR [\#1282](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1282) issue [\#1272](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/1272).
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
- [Permissioning issues on Kubernetes](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#Kubernetes-permissioning-uses-Service-IPs-rather-than-pod-IPs-which-can-fail)
- [Restarts caused by insufficient memory can cause inconsistent private state](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#Restart-caused-by-insufficient-memory-can-cause-inconsistent-private-state)
- [David Mechler](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/commits?author=davemec) has been added as a [new maintainer](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1267).
- [Edward Evans](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/commits?author=EdJoJob) voluntarily moved to [emeritus status](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1270).
* In an IBFT2 network, a fixed block reward value and recipient address can be defined in genesis file [\#1132](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1132)
* JSON-RPC HTTP API Authorization: exit early when checking user permissions. [\#1144](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1144)
* HTTP/2 is enabled for JSON-RPC HTTP API over TLS. [\#1145](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1145)
* In an IBFT2 network; a fixed block reward value and recipient address can be defined in genesis file [\#1132](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1132)
* When the default sync mode was changed to fast sync for named networks, there was one caveat we didn't address. The `dev` network should've been full sync by default. This has now been fixed. [\#1257](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1257)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
- [Permissioning issues on Kubernetes](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#Kubernetes-permissioning-uses-Service-IPs-rather-than-pod-IPs-which-can-fail)
- [Restarts caused by insufficient memory can cause inconsistent private state](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#Restart-caused-by-insufficient-memory-can-cause-inconsistent-private-state)
The [Tracing API](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/API-Methods/#trace-methods) is no longer an Early Access feature and now has full support for `trace_replayBlockTransactions`, `trace_Block` and `trace_transaction`.
`BlockAdded` and `BlockReorg` are now exposed via the [Plugin API](https://javadoc.io/doc/org.hyperledger.besu/plugin-api/latest/org/hyperledger/besu/plugin/services/BesuEvents.html).
* [Filters](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/stable/HowTo/Interact/Filters/Accessing-Logs-Using-JSON-RPC/) and
* Public Networks Default to Fast Sync: The default sync mode for named permissionless networks, such as the Ethereum mainnet and testnets, is now `FAST`.
* Use the [`--sync-mode` command line option](https://besu.hyperledger.org/Reference/CLI/CLI-Syntax/#sync-mode) to change the sync mode. [\#384](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/384)
* Proper Mining Support: Added full support for `eth_hashrate` and `eth_submitHashrate`. It is now possible to have the hashrate when we mine with a GPU mining worker [\#1063](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1063)
* Performance Improvements: The addition of native libraries ([\#775](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/775)) and changes to data structures in the EVM ([\#1089](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1089)) have improved Besu sync and EVM execution times.
* Tracing API Improvements: The [Tracing API](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/API-Methods/#trace-methods) is no longer an Early Access feature and now has full support for `trace_replayBlockTransactions`, `trace_Block` and `trace_transaction`.
* Added experimental CLI option `--Xnat-kube-pod-name` to specify the name of the loadbalancer used by the Kubernetes nat manager [\#1078](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/1078)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
- Added timeout to queries. [\#986](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/986)
- Fixed issue where networks using onchain permissioning could stall when the bootnodes were not validators. [\#969](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/969)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
- [`Intrinsic gas exceeds gas limit` returned when calling `delete mapping[addr]` or `mapping[addr] = 0`](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#intrinsic-gas-exceeds-gas-limit)
- [Eth/65 not backwards compatible](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#eth65-not-backwards-compatible)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Bootnodes must be validators when using onchain permissioning](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#bootnodes-must-be-validators-when-using-onchain-permissioning)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
- Implemented private contract log filters including JSON-RPC methods to interact with private filters. [\#735](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/735)
- Deal with quick service start failures [\#714](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/714) fixes [\#662](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/662)
-`Intrinsic gas exceeds gas limit` returned when calling `delete mapping[addr]` or `mapping[addr] = 0` [\#696](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/696)
Calling delete and set to 0 Solidity mapping in Solidity fail.
- [Eth/65 not backwards compatible](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#eth65-not-backwards-compatible)
- [Error full syncing with pruning](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#error-full-syncing-with-pruning)
- [Fast sync when running Besu on cloud providers](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#fast-sync-when-running-besu-on-cloud-providers)
- [Bootnodes must be validators when using onchain permissioning](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#bootnodes-must-be-validators-when-using-onchain-permissioning)
- [Privacy users with private transactions created using v1.3.4 or earlier](KNOWN_ISSUES.md#privacy-users-with-private-transactions-created-using-v134-or-earlier)
- Added `pulledStates` and `knownStates` to the EthQL `syncing` query and `eth_syncing` JSON-RPC api [\#565](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/565)
* [Onchain privacy groups](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/Privacy/Onchain-PrivacyGroups/) with add and remove members. Known issue resolved (see above).
* [TRACE API](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/API-Methods/#trace-methods) now includes `trace_block`, `trace_replayBlockTransactions`, and `trace_transaction`.
Fixed some issues on the trace replay block transactions API [\#522](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/522).
- Enhanced estimateGas messages [\#436](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/436). When a estimateGas request fails a validation check, an improved error message is returned in the response.
### Early Access Features
Early access features are available features that are not recommended for production networks and may
Hyperledger Besu v1.4 implements a new data structure for private state storage that is not backwards compatible.
A migration will be performed when starting v1.4 for the first time to reprocess existing private transactions
and re-create the private state data in the v1.4 format.
If you have existing private transactions, see [migration details](docs/Private-Txns-Migration.md).
### Additions and Improvements
* [TLS support](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/TLS/) to secure client and server communication.
* [Multi-tenancy](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/Privacy/Multi-Tenancy/) to enable multiple participants to use the same Besu and Orion node.
* [Plugin APIs](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/Plugins/) to enable building of Java plugins to extend Hyperledger Besu.
* Support for additional [NAT methods](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Find-and-Connect/Specifying-NAT/).
* Added [`priv_call`](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/API-Methods/#priv_call) which invokes
a private contract function locally and does not change the private state.
This includes using the library in the Plugins API interfaces. [#295](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/295) and [#215](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/215)
### Early Access Features
Early access features are available features that are not recommended for production networks and may
This can be enabled using the `--rpc-http-api TRACE` CLI flag. There are some philosophical differences between Besu and other implementations that are outlined in [trace_rpc_apis](docs/trace_rpc_apis.md).
- Added [Multi-tenancy](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/Privacy/Multi-Tenancy/) support which allows multiple participants to use the same Besu node for private transactions.
- Besu has moved from an internal Bytes library to the [Apache Tuweni](https://tuweni.apache.org/) Bytes library. This includes using the library in the Plugins API interfaces. [#295](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/295) and [#215](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/215)
- Added priv_call [\#250](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/250). Invokes a private contract function locally and does not change the private state.
- Support for [EIP-2124](https://github.com/ethereum/EIPs/blob/master/EIPS/eip-2124.md), which results in faster peer discovery [\#156](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/156)
-`admin_generateLogBloomCache` JSON-RPC API to generate a cache of the block bloombits that improves performance for log queries [\#262](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/262)
For more details, see [Hyperledger Besu Wiki](https://wiki.hyperledger.org/display/BESU/Mainnet+Consensus+Bug+Identified+and+Resolved+in+Hyperledger+Besu).
- Hard Fork Support: Configures the Agharta activation block for the ETC MainNet configuration [\#251](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/251) (thanks to [soc1c](https://github.com/soc1c))
-`operator generate-log-bloom-cache` command line option to generate a cache of the block bloombits that improves performance for log queries [\#245](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/245)
[Edward Mack](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/commits?author=edwardmack) added as a [new maintainer](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/219).
- Support external mining using Stratum [\#140](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/140) (thanks to [atoulme](https://github.com/atoulme))
- Add more fields to private transaction receipt [\#85](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/85) (thanks to [josh-richardson](https://github.com/josh-richardson))
- Move Apache Tuweni dependency to official release [\#181](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/181) (thanks to [atoulme](https://github.com/atoulme))
- ETC Atlantis fork [\#179](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/179) (thanks to [edwardmack](https://github.com/edwardmack))
- ETC Gotham Fork [\#178](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/178) (thanks to [edwardmack](https://github.com/edwardmack))
- ETC DieHard fork support [\#177](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/177) (thanks to [edwardmack](https://github.com/edwardmack))
- Remove 'parentHash', 'number' and 'gasUsed' fields from the genesis d… [\#175](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/175) (thanks to [SweeXordious](https://github.com/SweeXordious))
- Add `--target-gas-limit` command line option. [\#24](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/24)(thanks to new contributor [cfelde](https://github.com/cfelde))
- Added content about [access between private and public states](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/Privacy/Privacy-Groups/#access-between-states)
- Added restriction that [account permissioning cannot be used with random key signing](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Use-Privacy/Sign-Privacy-Marker-Transactions/).
- Added high availability requirement for [private transaction manager](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/Privacy/Privacy-Overview/#availability) (ie, Orion)
- Renames eea\_getTransactionReceipt to priv\_getTransactionReceipt [\#10](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/10) (thanks to [josh-richardson](https://github.com/josh-richardson))
- Use object parameter instead of list of parameters for priv\_createPrivacyGroup [\#1868](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1868) (thanks to [iikirilov](https://github.com/iikirilov))
- Refactor privacy acceptance tests [\#1864](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1864) (thanks to [iikirilov](https://github.com/iikirilov))
- Updating docker tests to make it easier to follow & ensure it listens on the right interface on docker [\#1851](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1851)
- Disable Istanbul block [\#1849](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1849)
- Added rewind to block functionality [#1814](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1814)
- Added support for NoReward and NoProof seal engines [#1813](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1813)
- Added strict short hex strings for retesteth [#1812](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1812)
- Cleaned up genesis parsing [#1809](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1809)
- Updating Orion to v1.3.2 [#1805](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1805)
- Updaated newHeads subscription to emit events only for canonical blocks [#1798](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1798)
- Repricing for trie-size-dependent opcodes [#1795](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1795)
- Revised Istanbul Versioning assignemnts [#1794](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1794)
- Updated RevertReason to return BytesValue [#1793](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1793)
- Updated way priv_getPrivacyPrecompileAddress source [#1786](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1786) (thanks to [iikirilov](https://github.com/iikirilov))
- Updated Chain ID opcode to return 0 as default [#1785](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1785)
- Added tracking of world state account key preimages [#1780](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1780)
- Modified PrivGetPrivateTransaction to take public tx hash [#1778](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1778) (thanks to [josh-richardson](https://github.com/josh-richardson))
- Updated priv_getPrivacyPrecompileAddress method return [#1766](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1766) (thanks to [iikirilov](https://github.com/iikirilov))
- Added tests for permissioning with static nodes behaviour [#1764](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1764)
- Added integration test for contract creation with privacyGroupId [#1762](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1762) (thanks to [josh-richardson](https://github.com/josh-richardson))
- Added report node local address as the coinbase in Clique and IBFT
- Added CLI flag for setting WorldStateDownloader task cache size [#1749](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1749) (thanks to [matkt](https://github.com/matkt))
- Updated vertx to 2.8.0 [#1748](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1748)
- changed RevertReason to BytesValue [#1746](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1746)
- Added static nodes acceptance test [#1745](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1745)
- Added report 0 hashrate when the mining coordinator doesn't support mining
- Implemented EIP-2200 - Net Gas Metering Revised [#1743](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1743)
- Added chainId validation to PrivateTransactionValidator [#1741](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1741)
- Reduced intrinsic gas cost [#1739](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1739)
- De-duplicated test blocks data files [#1737](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1737)
- Renamed various EEA methods to priv methods [#1736](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1736) (thanks to [josh-richardson](https://github.com/josh-richardson))
- Permissioning Acceptance Test [#1735](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1735)
- Added PrivateTransactionValidator to unify logic [#1713](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1713)
- Added JSON-RPC API to report validator block production information [#1687](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1687) (thanks to [matkt](https://github.com/matkt))
- Added Mark Sweep Pruner [#1638](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1638)
- Added the Blake2b F compression function as a precompile in Besu [#1614](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1614) (thanks to [iikirilov](https://github.com/iikirilov))
- Support changing log level at runtime [\#1656](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1656) (thanks to [matkt](https://github.com/matkt))
- Implement dump command to dump a specific block from storage [\#1641](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1641) (thanks to [matkt](https://github.com/matkt))
- Add eea\_findPrivacyGroup endpoint to Besu [\#1635](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1635) (thanks to [Puneetha17](https://github.com/Puneetha17))
- Updated eea send raw transaction with privacy group ID [\#1611](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1611) (thanks to [iikirilov](https://github.com/iikirilov))
- Added [admin\_changeLogLevel](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/API-Methods/#admin_changeloglevel) JSON RPC API (thanks to [matkt](https://github.com/matkt))
- Updated [permissioning overview](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/stable/) for onchain account permissioning
- Updated [quickstart](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Deploy/Monitoring-Performance/#monitor-node-performance-using-prometheus) to include Prometheus and Grafana
- Updated [onchain permissioning to include account permissioning](hhttps://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/Permissioning/Onchain-Permissioning/) and [Permissioning Management Dapp](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Tutorials/Permissioning/Getting-Started-Onchain-Permissioning/#start-the-development-server-for-the-permissioning-management-dapp)
- Added content on [creating and managing privacy groups](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/web3js-eea-Methods/#createprivacygroup)
- Added content on [accessing private and privacy marker transactions](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Use-Privacy/Access-Private-Transactions/)
- Added content on [system requirements](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Get-Started/System-Requirements/)
- Modifies PrivGetPrivateTransaction to take public tx hash [\#1778](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1778)
- Remove enclave public key from parameter [\#1777](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1777)
- Return the ethereum address of the privacy precompile from priv_getPrivacyPrecompileAddress [\#1766](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1766)
- Report node local address as the coinbase in Clique and IBFT [\#1760](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1760)
- Additional integration test for contract creation with privacyGroupId [\#1762](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1762)
- Report 0 hashrate when the mining coordinator doesn't support mining [\#1757](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1757)
- Update BesuCommand to accept minTransactionGasPriceWei as an integer [\#1668](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1668) (thanks to [matkt](https://github.com/matkt))
- Add Prerequisites and Quick-Start [\#1660](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1660) (thanks to [lazaridiscom](https://github.com/lazaridiscom))
- Make test generated keys deterministic w/in block generator [\#1657](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1657)
- Rename privacyGroupId to createPrivacyGroupId [\#1654](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1654) (thanks to [Puneetha17](https://github.com/Puneetha17))
- Added content on [setting CLI options using environment variables](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/CLI/CLI-Syntax/#specifying-options)
- \[PAN-2811\] Be more lenient with discovery message deserialization. Completes our support for EIP-8 and enables Besu to work on Rinkeby again. [\#1580](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1580)
- Added liveness and readiness probe stub endpoints [\#1553](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1553)
- Added [note about replacing transactions in transaction pool](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/Transactions/Transaction-Pool/#replacing-transactions-with-same-nonce)
- \[PAN-2779\] Allow signing private transaction with any key [\#1561](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1561) (thanks to [iikirilov](https://github.com/iikirilov))
- \[PAN-2672\] Return specific and useful error for enclave issues [\#1455](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1455) (thanks to [Puneetha17](https://github.com/Puneetha17))
- Added [troubleshooting point about illegal reflective access error](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Troubleshoot/Troubleshooting/#illegal-reflective-access-error-on-startup)
- Added [trusted bootnode behaviour for permissioning](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/Permissioning/Onchain-Permissioning/#bootnodes)
- Added [how to obtain a WS authentication token](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Interact/APIs/Authentication/#obtaining-an-authentication-token)
- Updated [example scripts and added package.json file for creating signed transactions](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Send-Transactions/Transactions/)
- PAN-2715 - return block not found reasons in error [\#1485](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1485)
- \[PAN-2652\] Refactor Privacy acceptance test and add Privacy Ibft test [\#1483](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1483) (thanks to [iikirilov](https://github.com/iikirilov))
- \[PAN-2647\] Validate Private Transaction nonce before submitting to Transaction Pool [\#1449](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1449) (thanks to [iikirilov](https://github.com/iikirilov))
- Make restriction field in Private Transaction an enum [\#1462](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1462) (thanks to [iikirilov](https://github.com/iikirilov))
- eea\_getTransactionCount fails if account has not interacted with private state [\#1367](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1367) (thanks to [iikirilov](https://github.com/iikirilov))
- Allow private contract invocations in multiple privacy groups [\#1318](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1318) (thanks to [iikirilov](https://github.com/iikirilov))
- Use default enclave public key to generate eea_getTransactionReceipt [\#1280](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1280) (thanks to [Puneetha17](https://github.com/Puneetha17))
- Use labelled timer to differentiate between rocks db metrics [\#1254](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1254) (thanks to [Puneetha17](https://github.com/Puneetha17))
- Use single instance of Rocksdb for privacy [\#1247](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1247) (thanks to [Puneetha17](https://github.com/Puneetha17))
- Added [Privacy Overview](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/Privacy/Privacy-Overview/) and [Processing Private Transactions](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/Privacy/Private-Transaction-Processing/)
- Renaming of Ethstats Lite Explorer to [Ethereum Lite Explorer](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Deploy/Lite-Block-Explorer/#lite-block-explorer-documentation) (thanks to [tzapu](https://github.com/tzapu))
- Added content on using [Truffle with Besu](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Develop-Dapps/Truffle/)
- Reduce memory usage in import [\#1239](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1239)
- Improve eea_sendRawTransaction error messages [\#1238](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1238) (thanks to [Puneetha17](https://github.com/Puneetha17))
- Single topic filter [\#1235](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1235)
- Enable pipeline chain downloader for fast sync [\#1232](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1232)
- Make contract size limit configurable [\#1227](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1227)
- Refactor PrivacyParameters config to use builder pattern [\#1226](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1226) (thanks to [antonydenyer](https://github.com/antonydenyer))
- Different request limits for different request types [\#1224](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1224)
- Maintain the state of MessageFrame in private Tx [\#1193](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1193) (thanks to [Puneetha17](https://github.com/Puneetha17))
- Persist private world state only if we are mining [\#1191](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1191) (thanks to [Puneetha17](https://github.com/Puneetha17))
- Updated endpoints in [Private Network Quickstart](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Tutorials/Quickstarts/Private-Network-Quickstart/) (thanks to [laubai](https://github.com/laubai))
- Updated [tutorials](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Tutorials/Private-Network/Create-Private-Clique-Network/) for printing of enode on startup
- Added information on [block time and timeout settings](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Configure/Consensus-Protocols/IBFT/#block-time) for IBFT 2.0
- Added permissioning blog to [Resources](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/Resources/)
- Updated [Create Permissioned Network](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Tutorials/Permissioning/Create-Permissioned-Network/) tutorial to use `export-address`
- Updated [Clique](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Configure/Consensus-Protocols/Clique/) and [IBFT 2.0](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Configure/Consensus-Protocols/IBFT/) docs to include complete genesis file
- Updated [Clique tutorial](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Tutorials/Private-Network/Create-Private-Clique-Network/) to use `export-address` subcommand
- Fix private transaction acceptance test [\#1134](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/1134) (thanks to [Puneetha17](https://github.com/Puneetha17))
- RPC tests can use 127.0.0.1 loopback rather than localhost [\#974](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/974) thanks to [glethuillier](https://github.com/glethuillier) for raising)
- Documentation update for the [`public-key export-address`](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/stable/) subcommand.
- Updated [IBFT 2.0 overview](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/stable/) to include use of `rlp encode` command and information on setting IBFT 2.0 properties to achieve your desired block time.
- Do parallel extract signatures in the parallel block importer. [\#844](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/844)
- Fix 'the Input Is Too Long' Error on Windows [\#843](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/843) (thanks to [glethuillier](https://github.com/glethuillier)).
- Homogenize error messages when required parameters are set [\#822](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/822) ([glethuillier](https://github.com/glethuillier)).
- Remove privacy not supported warning [\#806](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/806) (thanks to [vinistevam](https://github.com/vinistevam))
- Wire up Private Transaction Processor [\#805](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/805) (thanks to [Puneetha17](https://github.com/Puneetha17))
- Spilt Ibft MessageValidator into components [\#752](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/752)
- Ensure first checkpoint headers is always in local blockchain for FastSyncCheckpointHeaderManager [\#750](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/750)
- Refactored permissioning components to be Optional. [\#747](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/747)
- Integrate rocksdb-based queue into WorldStateDownloader [\#746](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/746)
The [documentation](https://docs.pantheon.pegasys.tech/en/latest/) has been updated throughout to use the changed command line options and the [command line reference](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/stable/) documents the changed options.
| `--metrics-listen=<HOST:PORT>` | [`--metrics-host=<HOST>`](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/CLI/CLI-Syntax/#metrics-host) and [`--metrics-port=<PORT>`](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/CLI/CLI-Syntax/#metrics-port) | Split into host and port options |
| `--p2p-listen=<HOST:PORT>` | [`--p2p-host=<HOST>`](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/CLI/CLI-Syntax/#p2p-hostt) and [`--p2p-port=<PORT>`](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/CLI/CLI-Syntax/#p2p-port) | Split into host and port options |
| `--rpc-listen=<HOST:PORT>` | [`--rpc-http-host=<HOST>`](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/CLI/CLI-Syntax/#rpc-http-host) and [`--rpc-http-port=<PORT>`](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/CLI/CLI-Syntax/#rpc-http-port) | Split into host and port options |
| `--ws-listen=<HOST:PORT>` | [`--rpc-ws-host=<HOST>`](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/CLI/CLI-Syntax/#rpc-ws-host) and [`--rpc-ws-port=<PORT>`](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/CLI/CLI-Syntax/#rpc-ws-port) | Split into host and port options |
- Added IBFT 2.0 [content](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Configure/Consensus-Protocols/IBFT/) and [JSON RPC API methods](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Reference/API-Methods/#ibft-20-methods).
- Added content on [events and logs](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/Concepts/Events-and-Logs/), and [using filters](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Interact/Filters/Accessing-Logs-Using-JSON-RPC/).
- Added content on integrating with [Prometheus Push Gateway](https://besu.hyperledger.org/en/latest/HowTo/Deploy/Monitoring-Performance/#running-prometheus-with-besu-in-push-mode)
- Added handling for when p2p is disabled [\#655](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/655)
- Enabled command line configuration for privacy precompiled contract address [\#653](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/653) (thanks to [Puneetha17](https://github.com/Puneetha17))
- IBFT transmitted packets are logged by gossiper [\#652](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/652)
Indefinitely delays the roll-out of Constantinople on Ethereum Mainnet due to a [potential security issue](https://blog.ethereum.org/2019/01/15/security-alert-ethereum-constantinople-postponement/) detected.
- Set base directory name to be lowercase in building.md [\#474](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/474) (Thanks to [Matthalp](https://github.com/Matthalp))
From v0.8.3, incoming HTTP requests are only accepted from hostnames specified using the `--host-whitelist` command-line option. If not specified, the default value for `--host-whitelist` is `localhost`.
If using the URL `http://127.0.0.1` to make JSON-RPC calls, use `--host-whitelist` to specify the hostname `127.0.0.1` or update the hostname to `localhost`.
Specify `*` or `all` for `--host-whitelist` to effectively disable host protection and replicate pre-v0.8.3 behavior. This is not recommended for production code.
* Reorganised [Installation documentation](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/wiki/Installation) and added [Chocolatey installation](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/wiki/Install-Binaries#windows-with-chocolatey) for Windows
- Log spam: endless loop in `nioEventLoopGroup` thanks to [@5chdn](https://github.com/5chdn) for reporting) (PR [#261](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/261))
- Rinkeby import can stall with too many fragments thanks to [@steffenkux](https://github.com/steffenkux) and [@5chdn](https://github.com/5chdn) for reporting) (PR [#255](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/255))
- File name too long error while building from source thanks to [@5chdn](https://github.com/5chdn) for reporting) (PR [#221](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/221))
- Loop syntax in `runBesuPrivateNetwork.sh` (PR [#237](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/237) thanks to [@matt9ucci](https://github.com/matt9ucci))
- Added `--ropsten` command line argument to make syncing to Ropsten easier (PR [#197](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/197) with thanks to [@jvirtanen](https://github.com/jvirtanen))
- Supported Constantinople with Clique thanks to [@5chdn](https://github.com/5chdn) for reporting) (PR [#250](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/250), PR [#247](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/247))
- Added `--node-private-key` option to allow nodekey file to be specified separately to data directory thanks to [@peterbroadhurst](https://github.com/peterbroadhurst) for requesting) (PR [#234](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/234))
- Upgraded Ethereum reference tests to 6.0 beta 2. (thanks to [@jvirtanen](https://github.com/jvirtanen) for the initial upgrade to beta 1)
- Set Java compiler default encoding to UTF-8 (PR [#238](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/238) thanks to [@matt9ucci](https://github.com/matt9ucci))
- Improved code for parsing config (PRs [#208](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/208), [#209](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/209))
- Use `java.time.Clock` in favour of a custom Clock interface (PR [#220](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/220))
- Improve modularity of storage systems (PR [#211](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/211), [#207](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/207))
- Treat JavaDoc warnings as errors (PR [#171](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/171))
- Add benchmark for `BlockHashOperation `as a template for benchmarking other EVM operations (PR [#203](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/203))
- Added unit tests for `EthBlockNumber` (PR [#195](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/195) thanks to [@jvirtanen](https://github.com/jvirtanen))
- Added unit tests for `Web3ClientVersion` (PR [#194](https://github.com/PegaSysEng/pantheon/pull/194) with thanks to [@jvirtanen](https://github.com/jvirtanen))
