The NOM contributor workstream on behalf of the Lido Node Operator Subgovernance Group (LNOSG) would like to provide an update regarding the results of the SSV Simple DVT testnet participant evaluations that took place on May 7th, 2024. This evaluation meeting followed the conclusion of the Lido x SSV testnet, wherein SSV’s DVT implementation surpassed all of the minimum performance requirements outlined in the Simple DVT Module Proposal. Information about the Simple DVT Module is available here.
The next Simple DVT testnet with SSV Network is expected to begin in June. All solo stakers, community stakers, and professional node operators are welcome to join: https://forms.gle/3HeeX4octtAhj2tU9
SSV Testnet Participant Evaluation
A total of 192 participants participated in the Lido x SSV Simple DVT testnet which started in November 2023. These participants were sorted into 32 clusters of 7 participants each, with various types of infrastructure configurations and geographic locations. Generally due to a lack of responsiveness or issues with node configuration during the initial stage of the testnet, a total of 163 participants completed the testnet from start to finish and were subsequently evaluated by the LNOSG. This included 29 community stakers, 40 solo stakers, 69 professional node operators, and 25 members of the Lido on Ethereum curated set. For more information regarding the testnet process and the results, see the Lido blog post.
Evaluation Results
During the evaluation discussion, the LNOSG together with testnet coordinators from the Lido DAO NOM Workstream and SSV Network team suggested 146 individual participants across 21 clusters with a 5/7 threshold configuration be onboarded to mainnet SSV clusters in the Simple DVT Module over two Cohorts. The proposed participants include 53 solo and community stakers in addition to 93 professional node operators including members of the Lido on Ethereum Curated node operator set. Due to the need to fill an additional spot in a cluster, one participant was proposed to participate across two clusters after having been deemed to have shown exceptional performance during the testnet.
All of the candidates proposed by the LNOSG were considered to have shown strong performance, responsiveness, and reliability over the course of the Lido x SSV testnet. These candidates operate nodes in over 30 countries, utilize diverse infrastructure hosting setups including on-premise, bare metal in a datacenter, and public cloud, and support a wide range of both EL & CL clients.
The proposed participants have been asked to confirm their desire to join the Simple DVT Operator Set via an SSV cluster. In case they do not reply affirmatively in a timely manner, or for some other reason cannot participate, the LNOSG will make an adjustment to the proposed list and share an update in this thread.
During the final meeting on May 7th, 2024, the LNOSG suggested to propose the following SSV based clusters for inclusion into the Lido Simple DVT Module Ethereum protocol:
You can find the full PDF with summary statistics and the LNOSG meeting recordings of the introduction, as well as the audio (video unavailable) for the final conclusion and cluster proposal in the public drive below. Due to the privileged/confidential nature of some of the information provided in some of the applications, the portion of the call where applications were discussed in detail was not recorded.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ek9IsfFgg4VfRcs947exgYKSvQIJwSQe
All participants in the testnet have been emailed notifying them of the results and are welcome to reach out via email to [email protected] for further clarification.
Path to Mainnet
The Simple DVT Module Proposal outlines an initial mainnet stage where 12 clusters for both Obol and SSV Network undergo a 30 day monitoring period with 5 validators.
SSV Clusters 1-12 of the proposed list constitute Cohort 1, while Clusters 13-21 constitute Cohort 2. After the initial 30 day monitoring period, a performance report will be presented to the DAO. If the performance is comparable to other mainnet operators, a proposal will be made to begin the process of adding clusters from Cohort 2 to mainnet and to potentially raise key limits for the existing clusters. The addition of Cohort 2 clusters are not all guaranteed to start at the exact same time, as the pacing may require additional monitoring time.
DAO Discussion Period
A 7 day discussion period is now open for the DAO to discuss the proposed participants for the initial SSV clusters within the Simple DVT module.
Should the DAO disagree with any of the proposed applicants, request additional information, or otherwise request additional input for the onboarding, the LNOSG will reconvene to propose a next course of action.
If after 7 days, no major changes are required by the DAO, the Simple DVT coordinators from the Lido DAO NOM Workstream and SSV Network will begin the coordination process with cluster participants.
Next Steps
If no adjustments are required after the week discussion period, the SSV clusters from Cohort 1 will soon after be added to coordination threads and begin the process of verifying addresses and setting up cluster multisigs. The Lido Simple DVT Module Committee will create their entries in the Simple DVT Node Operator Registry via Easy Track, and clusters will submit keys to the Lido Simple DVT Module once they are deemed to be ready for deposits.
An update will be posted to the research forums before validator key limits are raised for any clusters.
Future SSV Network Simple DVT Testnet
Another Simple DVT testnet with SSV Network is expected to begin in June. All participants that were not proposed to participate in Cohort 1 or 2 of the SSV trial are welcome to participate, in addition to any other solo stakers, community stakers, or professional node operators. The testnets will be followed by another LNOSG evaluation, whereafter additional participants can be proposed to move forward to mainnet. Sing up here if interested: https://forms.gle/3HeeX4octtAhj2tU9