Kaspa on Rust: Testnet 11

Redefining proof-of-work consensus speeds at 10 BPS.

Testnet 11

Testnet 11, the experimental network and proving grounds of Kaspa’s 10 BPS (blocks per second) speeds, marks an innovative breakthrough in cryptocurrency and cryptography. A testnet is a “sandbox” environment that allows developers to try out new technologies and approaches in a controlled setting, which is precisely what Testnet 11 offers and, over 24 hours live, continues to do so.

The debut of this testnet aims to stress test the network in terms of block rates and transaction rates under volatile simulations and fluctuating conditions. This includes analyzing the network’s response to varying hash rates and generating transaction loads. Users and developers are encouraged to freely join, mine, experiment, or set up a node or multiple. Testnet 11 hopes to emulate an organic, real-world network demand and mimic an environment for rigorous evaluation.

Historically, the significance of hash rates achieved on Testnet 11 on June 26th, 2023, was considered impossible in a proof-of-work protocol due to the computational power required. However, the Kaspa protocol has managed to defy these expectations and break world records, making history by successfully processing thousands of transactions per second across an extensive network of nodes in a permissionless network, all on affordable and typical hardware.

How to Participate

Software-wise, to experience Testnet 11, all that’s required is the Rusty Kaspa, which connects your system to the network and enables synchronization with other nodes on the testnet. Beyond just participating, CPU mining is also encouraged, allowing users to contribute to the network’s computational power without needing any specialized mining software/hardware. Users are urged to only use the included CPU miner while on Testnet 11. For those who want to simulate transactions, an optional tool called Rothschild can be used. However, using Rothschild and/or CPU mining is optional and unnecessary for fundamental participation.

The basic hardware needed for Testnet 11: 16GB RAM, a CPU with 8 or more cores, and a 50GB SSD drive.

Rusty Kaspa Testnet 11 Instructions

Rusty Kaspa GitHub

Kaspa Discord — Support, Feedback, and Developer Engagement

For troubleshooting and feedback, visit the: #testnet channel.

To explore ecosystem and network development opportunities on Rust, visit the: #rust-rewrite and #development channels.

10 BPS on Mainnet

The current record-breaking performance of the Testnet 11 demonstrates the capability of the Kaspa protocol, providing a glimpse of what to expect in the future. Testing will continue for about six months before 10 BPS speeds are implemented in the mainnet, depending on data from testing and troubleshooting. This timeline reflects the complexity of a hard fork and the importance of ensuring stability in the mainnet.

The timeline for a 10 BPS mainnet involves four critical steps:

Any remaining issues with the 10 BPS client on Testnet 11 must be resolved, and various block sizes must be tested and considered.
The stability of the potential hard fork will be tested over several weeks on Testnet 11.
Upon favorable results, the changes in consensus rules will be applied to Testnet 10 for a few weeks to monitor the ecosphere for adjustment.
Even after the decision to implement the hard fork has been made, it will be scheduled for a future date to ensure its successful and stable integration into the mainnet.

As we watch the development of Kaspa and the success of Testnet 11, we are witnessing history in the making. The impressive achievements of the Rust rewrite and plans for further improvements demonstrate that cryptocurrency is continually evolving, pushing boundaries, and defying what was previously considered possible.

For more detailed instructions on participating in Testnet 11 and the Rust rewrite, you can visit the Rusty Kaspa GitHub page. Please note, however, that the success and timeliness of this experiment depend on participants adhering to the guidelines and the total number of participants. This is an exciting time for cryptocurrency enthusiasts and developers alike as we witness the capabilities of the Kaspa GHOSTDAG protocol unfold in real time on the new Rust codebase.

Tip: Due to network immaturity and demanding strain, it’s important to remember that Testnet 11 is a testing environment. It may likely face instability and occasional downtime due to experimentation processes. Nothing to worry about, and it is anticipated.

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