TL;DR
We are proposing the initiative DUCK, Distributed Utilization of Configurations and Knowledge, with the goal to equip Lido node operators and beyond with open-source resources enhancing operations and mitigating risks in running staking infrastructure. Through the development of a Risk Framework, Mitigations & Controls Library, and the Communications Toolkit, node operators will have access to assets that they can customize based on their own unique setup and operations. This initiative seeks to adhere to the GOOSE framework and contribute to one of the proposed objectives in Hasu’s GOOSE Submission, to “attract a large number of high performance validators within the market”.
Purpose & Motivation
The wide usage of the Lido protocol in Ethereum’s staking ecosystem is powered by the ever-expanding set of node operators who use it. Each operator, with its unique operational methodology, contributes to the protocol’s strength and resilience. This diversity of processes, tools, systems, and geographies within the group of operators should be further nurtured and promoted.
With expected growth in the operator set, each with different team structures and sizes, global footprints, and operational complexities, collaborative and cooperative mechanisms should be devised. They should enable operators to effectively grasp crucial insights on risk management and mitigation, control measures, and operational best practices, information must not only be an open-source resource. It must be also presented in an organized, clear, and understandable manner.
The primary objective of this proposal is to bootstrap and facilitate community engagement with respect to information around node operator excellence. The community shall be encouraged to meaningfully contribute to the content and to engage in self-regulation when it comes to the utilization and review of these resources.
By disseminating and providing easy access to this knowledge, the node operator community will be empowered to increase robustness. It will ensure that all operators, irrespective of their technical proficiency, can engage with a wealth of information, experiences, and methodologies to adapt and customize to their own specific service model. Such an initiative not only bolsters the decentralization ethos Lido upholds, but also sets the stage for a more informed, inclusive, and robust staking landscape overall as stated in [Hasu’s GOOSE Submission].
Deliverables
Our proposal outlines the development of open-source resources aimed at supporting node operators with dedicated information covering knowledge and tools on risk management, mitigations, controls measures and best practices in the industry.
Delivery Approach
The proposal focus is on the Alpha Release. That includes the delivery of three components (A, B, C) within four months. We will kickstart with a public call for participation, inviting any node operators who are willing to contribute to the working group building towards the Alpha Release. Together with the volunteer node operators and our teams, we will ensure efficient completion.
The Alpha Release is designed to establish a robust groundwork for engagement with an initial focus group during the following Beta Phase. This initial focus group will include smaller and larger operators who will evaluate the utility and contribute to the content of the Alpha Release. The Beta phase will also include work around the post-handover governance process that encompasses the ongoing maintenance, editing, and updating of the content. Potential ways can be engagements with other protocols and their DAOs to accomplish mutual funding for the maintenance work. An alternative can be the creation of a DAO that can fund itself through operator support or certification services on top of the content.
Following this, the Beta Release will undergo a comprehensive review by a wider audience, encompassing both minor and major operators, to ensure its refinement before the Public Release. This phase will be used for the transition to the previously designed post-handover model.
To accomplish the deliveries, we propose to create five teams with expertise in the required fields. The Creation team is leading the resource creation by coordinating and supporting the other teams. The Risk team is contributing to risk related components of the delivery. The Security team is contributing insights in security procedures and standards, and the InfraOps team & Volunteers team is providing infrastructure and operational insights as well as expertise contributions.
All resources will be released under the Apache 2.0 copyright license, enabling open collaboration, innovation, and free use of the resources by the community.
The detailed Alpha Release work breakdown for the different workstreams is as follows:
Delivery Team
The Delivery Team is responsible for producing the required deliverables and ensuring that all content is presented accurately and timely, driving the project towards its objectives.
The Delivery Team will work closely with Lido DAO NOM workstream contributors and relevant stakeholders in the Alpha Release.
Fees & Payment
The total funding request is $77,600.00, payable in DAI, for the Alpha Release. The proposed payment structure involves an initial 50% ($38,800.00) payment to commence the work, followed by the remaining 50% ($38,800.00) upon final delivery approval.
At the end of the project, the Lido DAO NOM workstream will determine if all listed deliverables have been achieved in quantity and quality and, if that is the case, proceed with the payment.
After completion of the Alpha Release, the delivery team will evaluate necessary efforts for completion of the Beta and Public Release and intents to request appropriate funding in a new proposal.
All payments will be made to this Ethereum address: eth:0x1b28728B06BEEd3a5363DA146B59dB372bbAd047
