30s Summary

The Ethereum Foundation has introduced a temporary test network called ‘Mekong’ for developers to experiment with proposed solutions and adjustments ahead of the ‘Prague-Electra’ or ‘Pectra’ update on Ethereum. The Mekong network features enhancements that will subsequently be added to existing test networks and then to the main Ethereum platform. Changes include improvements in user experience, staking, deposits, and exit methods. Testing on ‘Mekong’ won’t affect the main Ethereum network or its other test networks.

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The Ethereum Foundation has launched a temporary test network, named Mekong, to let techies play around with upcoming features before they are added to the main Ethereum network. On November 7, the foundation revealed the Mekong test network. It’s a space for developers to test out changes and get used to upcoming tweaks for the Prague-Electra, also known as “Pectra”, update on Ethereum. The foundation said: “Mekong is a play-area for app creators to test changes and for stakers to feel comfortable with the coming alterations”.

According to the foundation, although developers might see some minor changes for less significant Ethereum enhancements, the included features will be added to the existing test networks and then to the Ethereum main system. Tim Beiko, the main guy for protocol at the Ethereum Foundation, said that the temporary test network is a “pre-Devcon” treat, a reference to the forthcoming Devcon event in Bangkok, Thailand. The name “Mekong” is a nod to the Mekong River which flows through Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The Mekong test network comes jam-packed with all upgrades for the Pectra update, such as changes to user experience, staking, deposits and exit methods. It also has other tweaks that have been suggested for the approaching Pectra update on Ethereum. The foundation is encouraging developers to test out changes specifically to the user experience and give their feedback. As for stakers, big changes to the staking process are coming with Pectra and they can try them out for the first time on the Mekong test network.

Even though the Mekong test network allows techie types to try out the upcoming changes, it won’t affect the main Ethereum network or other Ethereum test networks. The foundation says: “Mekong is a new environment to test stuff out and won’t mess with other Ethereum networks. But testing on Mekong will help with rolling out the Pectra upgrade on other Ethereum networks”.