GRIDNET Core 1.6.4 Release Notes

[Major]

GRIDNET Core 1.6.4 Release Notes

DOWNLOAD: https://gridnet.org/GRIDNETCore.zip

Introduction

GRIDNET Core 1.6.4 represents a critical update addressing several important issues discovered in the 1.6.0 branch while introducing significant improvements to network stability, DMZ configurations, and transaction processing. This release is the product of intensive development and debugging, with every modification implemented and tested live on YouTube, maintaining our commitment to complete development transparency since 2017.

Critical Fixes

Transaction Processing Stability

• Resolved a critical issue affecting data block processing and replication
• Fixed inconsistencies in Merkle Patricia Trie root calculations during block formation
• Implemented sophisticated tracking mechanics for transaction processing validation
• Added advanced debugging and tracing capabilities for transaction verification
• Fixed public key handling in data blocks, ensuring proper serialization and validation

Enhanced GridScript Commands

New net -boot Capabilities

• Added comprehensive DMZ configuration management
• Introduced persistent bootstrap node settings
• Enhanced reporting of active and configured nodes
• Added clear distinction between discovered and user-configured nodes

Example output:
╔════ Bootstrap Nodes ═════╗
║ Discovered:              ║
║   bootstrap1.gridnet.org ║
║ OperatorConfigured:      ║
║   192.168.1.100          ║
║ Currently Effective:     ║
║   192.168.1.100          ║
╚══════════════════════════╝

Improved chain Command

• Added new -both switch for simultaneous chain-proof manipulation
• Implemented external block processing control
• Enhanced block inspection capabilities
• Added detailed perspective tracking
• use chain -help for MAN page and sample invocations

Sample New functionality usage:
chain -cut -both HEIGHT  # Cut both Verified and Heaviest chain proofs
chain -setextproc false  # Disable external block processing
chain -setextcpproc false  # Disable external chain-proof processing
chain -show -block -depth 0 -sec  # Show detailed block security info

Cache System Enhancements

• Optimized public key caching in data blocks
• Enhanced Receipt → Block ID caching mechanisms
• Improved memory utilization during cache population
• Added sophisticated cache coherency checks

Memory Management

• Further improvements to advanced memory tracking
• Added improvement to multi-level cache allocation monitoring
  
  

Security Improvements

Advanced DMZ Management

• Implemented automatic whitelisting for private network addresses (RFC 1918)
• Added persistent whitelist configuration across reboots
• Enhanced firewall integration for DMZ nodes
• Introduced unlimited connection capabilities for whitelisted peers

Connection Security

New DMZ Configuration Example:
net -boot interactive
> Enter DMZ node address: 192.168.1.100
> Additional nodes? [Y/n]: Y
> Enter DMZ node address: 192.168.1.101
> Additional nodes? [Y/n]: n
> Restrict connections to DMZ only? [Y/n]: Y
Configuration saved and applied.

Overall Sample configuration:

Notice that multiiple DMZ entry point nodes are now supported.

Other Changes:

1. Mobile App Integration

• Fixes for how mobile apps interact with nodes through Decentralized Processing Threads
• Improvements to the transactions command used by mobile apps
• Enhanced BER encoded meta-data package handling

2. RESTful API Improvements

• Fixed issues with transaction processing results in RESTful API
• Integration with multi-level caching constructs
• Enhanced meta-data generation for API responses

3. Memory Optimization & Analysis

• Employed professional memory analysis tools (Intel vTune, Deleaker, Memory Validator) to improve memory management
• Implementation of differential memory analysis
• Enhanced memory allocation tracking

4. Bootstrap Node Enhancements

• Improved bootstrap node management
• Enhanced DMZ configuration persistence
• Automated private network address handling

5. Emergency Measures

• New ability to disable external chain-proof processing during maintenance
• Improved support for Tier 0 node maintenance without full disconnection
• Enhanced data read services during node maintenance
  After comparing the development logs with the current release notes, several significant aspects are either missing or could be expanded upon:

6. Attack Response & Network Defense
   We should add a section about:

• Detection and response to the sophisticated block validation attack at block 83387-83388
• How the network successfully defended itself
• Plans to extend Proof-of-Fraud mechanics to cover invalid MPT root attacks

7. Custom Development Tools
   Should include a section about:

• Implementation of custom function call tracing when existing tools (IntelliTrace, Valgrind) proved insufficient
• Integration with AI-assisted log analysis
• RAII-based logging improvements for debugging

8. Block Processing Enhancements
   Need to detail:

• Implementation of new block versioning (v2)
• Addition of initial perspective tracking in blocks
• Enhanced accountability in block processing
• Resolution of public key handling in data blocks affecting MPT root calculations

9. Heaviest Chain Proof Improvements
   Should add details about:

• Enhanced handling of Heaviest vs Verified Chain Proof
• Optimized cold storage usage
• Improved chain proof synchronization during bootstrap
• New ability to manipulate both proofs simultaneously

10. Critical Bug Resolutions
    Add section about:

• Fix for null pointer dereference affecting mobile apps
• Resolution of synchronization issues at block 84168 post-hard fork
• Fix for verification chain proof during leader operations

11. Development Process
    Worth mentioning:

• All development conducted live on YouTube
• Integration of AI tools in development workflow
• Custom tooling development when existing solutions were insufficient

12. Enhanced market Command

• Fixed pagination issues
• Improved total market capitalization reporting
• Enhanced display formatting

13. New net Command Capabilities

• Added net whitelist for viewing whitelisted IPs
• Enhanced net -boot show for detailed bootstrap/DMZ configuration viewing
• Added connection quality metrics and reporting
• Added new block notification tracking and statistics

Example output:
Peer: bootstrap1.gridnet.org
Best Height: 84168
Block Notifications: 152
Avg. Notification Time: 5s

14. Chain Command Security Features

• Added block blacklisting/unblacklisting capabilities
• Added ability to check latest data block for any active key-block leader
• New functionality to disable external chain proof processing (chain -setextcpproc)
• Improved perspective tracking and reporting

15. Transaction Command Improvements

• Enhanced block reward reporting with proper timestamps
• Improved handling of Genesis rewards reporting
• Better integration with mobile app requests

📅 GRIDNET Core 1.6.4 Development Timeline - as recorded on YouTube LIVE and commented LIVE on Discord LIVE-DEVLOPMENT channel.

| Date & Time | Development Focus | Details |
|-------------|------------------|----------|
| Dec 05 2024 08:05 | Initial Bug Investigation | • Investigation of issues in GRIDNET Core 1.6.0
- Analysis of mobile app transaction processing
- Investigation of null pointer dereference in receipt handling
- Fix implementation for mobile app meta-data package handling |
| Dec 05 2024 [Morning] | DMZ Configuration | • Implementation of improved handling of eclipsed connectivity mode
- Enhancement of network security commands
- Introduction of persistent DMZ settings |
| Dec 05 2024 [Afternoon] | Network Whitelisting | • Implementation of automatic whitelisting for private addresses
- Integration with IANA IPv4 Special-Purpose Address Registry
- Implementation of RFC 1918 private address space detection
- Development of persistent whitelist settings |
| Dec 05 2024 [Evening] | RESTful API | • Optimization of RESTful API requests
- Integration with multi-level caching constructs
- Implementation of cache fallback mechanisms
- Enhancement of Domain meta-data generation |
| Dec 05 2024 [Night] | Bootstrap Node Mechanics | • Refinement of bootstrap nodes mechanics
- Implementation of advanced DMZ setup support
- Enhancement of bootstrap node management capabilities
- Implementation of individual bootstrap node querying |
| Dec 06 2024 [Morning] | Performance Analysis | • Investigation of congestion on Tier 0 nodes
- Analysis of critical section in transaction history retrieval
- Implementation of mutex congestion analysis
- Optimization of chain-proof flushing to Cold Storage |
| Dec 06 2024 [Afternoon] | Connection Management | • Implementation of connection limits for bootstrap nodes
- Enhanced DDOS protection measures
- Implementation of 30-minute connection window limits
- Development of connection eclipsing protection |
| Dec 06 2024 [Evening] | Market Command | • Investigation of pagination issues in 'market' utility
- Implementation of market capitalization display fixes
- Enhancement of pagination mechanics
- Improvement of total supply reporting |
| Dec 07 2024 [Morning] | RESTful API Fixes | • Investigation of transaction processing results
- Fix for receipt ID to block ID mapping
- Implementation of cache fallback mechanisms
- Enhancement of transaction detail retrieval |
| Dec 07 2024 [Afternoon] | Memory Analysis | • Implementation of memory utilization tracking
- Integration with RocksDB memory management
- Development of memory consumption analysis
- Implementation of heap allocation tracking |
| Dec 07 2024 [Night] | Block Processing | • Investigation of block 84168 processing issues
- Analysis of consensus mechanics
- Implementation of hard fork compatibility
- Development of block validation improvements |
| Dec 08 2024 [Morning] | Network Attack Response | • Investigation of suspicious block at height 83387
- Analysis of network defense mechanisms
- Verification of consensus protection
- Implementation of enhanced security monitoring |
| Dec 08 2024 [Afternoon] | Block Processing | • Implementation of improved chain cutting mechanics
- Development of block integrity validation
- Enhancement of block processing verification
- Implementation of perspective tracking |
| Dec 09 2024 [Morning] | Chain Command Enhancement | • Implementation of new 'chain -both' functionality
- Development of chain-proof manipulation tools
- Enhancement of block inspection capabilities
- Implementation of external processing controls |
| Dec 09 2024 [Afternoon] | Debugging Tools | • Development of custom function call tracing
- Implementation of RAII-based logging
- Integration of AI-assisted log analysis
- Enhancement of transaction tracking capabilities |
| Dec 10 2024 [Morning] | Block Version Update | • Implementation of block versioning (v2)
- Development of backwards compatibility layer
- Enhancement of block data structures
- Implementation of perspective tracking |
| Dec 10 2024 [Evening] | MPT Improvements | • Enhancement of Merkle Patricia Trie operations
- Implementation of improved root calculations
- Development of state tracking mechanics
- Optimization of trie traversal |
| Dec 11 2024 [Morning] | DMZ Configuration | • Implementation of automated DMZ wizard
- Development of interactive configuration mode
- Enhancement of bootstrap node management
- Implementation of persistent settings storage |
| Dec 11 2024 [Afternoon] | Memory Analysis Tools | • Integration of Intel vTune
- Implementation of Deleaker integration
- Development of Memory Validator support
- Enhancement of allocation tracking |
| Dec 12 2024 [Morning] | Public Key Handling | • Fix for data block public key serialization
- Implementation of parental key-block retrieval
- Enhancement of block processing validation
- Development of MPT root calculation fixes |
| Dec 12 2024 [Afternoon] | Chain Proof Management | • Implementation of chain proof processing controls
- Development of external proof handling
- Enhancement of maintenance mode capabilities
- Implementation of Tier 0 node support features |
| Dec 13 2024 [Morning] | Test Environment | • Setup of testing infrastructure
- Implementation of mining simulation
- Development of transaction processing tests
- Enhancement of replication validation |
| Dec 13 2024 [Evening] | Hard Fork Preparation | • Implementation of block 84168 fixes
- Development of cross-node validation
- Enhancement of integrity checks
- Implementation of hard fork procedures |
| Dec 14 2024 [Morning] | Flow Mechanics | • Implementation of ACID improvements
- Enhancement of transaction rollback capabilities
- Development of state maintenance
- Implementation of consistency checks |
| Dec 14 2024 [Afternoon] | Perspective Tracking | • Implementation of MPT root tracking
- Development of state transition validation
- Enhancement of block processing verification
- Implementation of initial perspective logging |
| Dec 15 2024 [Morning] | Custom Tracing | • Development of in-house tracing solution
- Implementation of function call tracking
- Enhancement of argument logging
- Integration with AI analysis tools |
| Dec 15 2024 [Evening] | Performance Analysis | • Analysis of synchronization speeds
- Implementation of optimization measures
- Enhancement of cache utilization
- Development of mutex congestion fixes |
| Dec 16 2024 [Morning] | Chain Cutting | • Enhancement of chain manipulation tools
- Implementation of dual chain-proof cutting
- Development of state verification
- Implementation of integrity checks |
| Dec 16 2024 [Evening] | Mobile Integration | • Enhancement of mobile app communication
- Implementation of BER protocol optimization
- Development of meta-data handling
- Improvement of transaction command response |
| Dec 17 2024 [Morning] | Block Replication | • Investigation of block replication consistency
- Implementation of test-bed environment
- Development of replication validation tools
- Enhancement of cross-node verification |
| Dec 17 2024 [Evening] | Heaviest Chain Proof | • Optimization of cold storage usage
- Implementation of RAM-only updates
- Enhancement of chain proof management
- Development of synchronization improvements |
| Dec 18 2024 [Morning] | Block Version 2 | • Implementation of initial perspective tracking
- Development of backwards compatibility
- Enhancement of block serialization
- Implementation of version detection |
| Dec 18 2024 [Evening] | Security Measures | • Implementation of block blacklisting
- Development of 15-minute rejection window
- Enhancement of attack detection
- Implementation of chain proof validation |
| Dec 19 2024 [Morning] | Hard Fork Testing | • Setup of internal hard fork environment
- Implementation of transaction collection
- Development of leader election testing
- Enhancement of cross-validation tools |
| Dec 19 2024 [Evening] | Test Net Integration | • Implementation of mining simulation
- Development of transaction processing tests
- Enhancement of block propagation
- Implementation of network stress tests |
| Dec 20 2024 [Morning] | Memory Management | • Implementation of differential analysis
- Integration of memory tracking tools
- Development of allocation monitoring
- Enhancement of RocksDB optimization |
| Dec 20 2024 [Evening] | Internal Hard Fork | • Testing of block processing consistency
- Implementation of transaction validation
- Development of cross-node verification
- Enhancement of state validation |
| Dec 21 2024 [Morning] | Core Services | • Enhancement of data read services
- Implementation of maintenance mode
- Development of service continuity
- Improvement of Tier 0 node operations |
| Dec 21 2024 [Evening] | Function Tracing | • Enhancement of debugging capabilities
- Implementation of RAII logging
- Development of AI-assisted analysis
- Integration of trace visualization |
| Dec 22 2024 [Morning] | Block Formation | • Investigation of data block formation
- Implementation of MPT root validation
- Development of transaction collection
- Enhancement of block verification |
| Dec 22 2024 [Evening] | Chain Proofs | • Enhancement of heaviest path updates
- Implementation of chain proof syncing
- Development of verification mechanics
- Optimization of cold storage updates |
| Dec 23 2024 [Morning] | Trace Analysis | • Implementation of perspective tracking
- Development of MPT root tracing
- Enhancement of verification logging
- Integration of AI log analysis |
| Dec 23 2024 [Evening] | Statistical Data | • Fix for statistical data storage
- Implementation of account tracking
- Development of balance validation
- Enhancement of meta-data generation |
| Dec 24 2024 [Morning] | Flow Processing | • Enhancement of ACID mechanics
- Implementation of state tracking
- Development of rollback capabilities
- Improvement of consistency checks |
| Dec 24 2024 [Evening] | Leader Election | • Enhancement of leader validation
- Implementation of key-block tracking
- Development of data block approval
- Optimization of block processing |
| Dec 25-26 2024 | DMZ Configurations | • Enhancement of boot command
- Implementation of interactive setup
- Development of persistence
- Improvement of whitelist management |
| Dec 27 2024 [Morning] | Block Processing | • Investigation of processing discrepancies
- Implementation of additional logging
- Development of verification mechanics
- Enhancement of block validation |
| Dec 27 2024 [Evening] | Chain Management | • Implementation of chain cutting tools
- Development of proof management
- Enhancement of synchronization
- Improvement of state tracking |
| Dec 28 2024 [Morning] | Memory Analysis | • Integration of professional analysis tools
- Implementation of allocation tracking
- Development of memory profiling
- Enhancement of cache management |
| Dec 28 2024 [Evening] | Block Verification | • Analysis of block 84168 processing
- Implementation of fixes
- Development of validation tools
- Enhancement of cross-node verification |
| Dec 29 2024 [Morning] | Test Environment | • Setup of final test environment
- Implementation of mining simulation
- Development of transaction testing
- Enhancement of replication tests |
| Dec 29 2024 [Evening] | Performance Analysis | • CPU utilization analysis
- Implementation of optimizations
- Development of benchmarking
- Enhancement of synchronization speed |
| Dec 30 2024 [Morning] | Release Preparation | • Final security validations
- Implementation of fixes
- Development of upgrade paths
- Enhancement of documentation |
| Dec 30 2024 [Evening] | Cross Validation | • Testing across all node types
- Implementation of integrity checks
- Development of verification tools
- Final performance benchmarking |
| Dec 31 2024 [Morning] | Production Readiness | • Final testing phase completion
- Implementation of deployment procedures
- Development of rollback plans
- Preparation for network upgrade |