Run PBS Private Chain With Multi-Builders: A How-To Guide

by Felix Dubois 58 views

Hey guys! Ever wanted to dive into the nitty-gritty of running your own Private Builder Separation (PBS) private chain with multiple builders? You've come to the right place! This guide will walk you through the process, making it super easy to understand and implement. We’ll be focusing on using the ethereum-package and Kurtosis, so buckle up and let's get started!

Understanding the Basics

Before we jump into the how-to, let’s quickly cover the fundamentals. PBS is a game-changer in the Ethereum world, designed to improve transaction ordering and reduce Miner Extractable Value (MEV). Running a private chain with multiple builders lets you simulate real-world scenarios, test different configurations, and understand how PBS works under the hood. It’s like having your own Ethereum playground!

What is PBS?

At its core, PBS separates the roles of transaction ordering and block building. Traditionally, miners handle both tasks, which can lead to MEV extraction where miners reorder transactions for profit. PBS introduces builders who specialize in creating blocks and relayers who facilitate communication between builders and proposers (validators in Proof-of-Stake Ethereum). This separation makes the system more transparent and efficient.

Why Run a Private Chain with Multi-Builders?

Running a private chain gives you the freedom to experiment without risking real funds or disrupting the main network. Adding multiple builders to the mix lets you:

  1. Simulate Real-World Scenarios: See how different builders compete and how the system behaves under varying loads.
  2. Test Configurations: Fine-tune parameters and optimize your setup for performance.
  3. Understand PBS Dynamics: Get hands-on experience with the intricacies of PBS and its impact on transaction ordering and MEV.

Key Components We'll Be Using

We’ll primarily use two tools in this guide:

  • Ethereum-Package: This is a fantastic tool by ethpandaops that simplifies setting up Ethereum test networks. It includes all the necessary components, such as clients, relays, and builders.
  • Kurtosis: A development platform that makes it easy to define, run, and test distributed systems. Kurtosis allows you to manage your private chain environment as code, ensuring consistency and reproducibility.

Setting Up Your Environment

Okay, let’s dive into setting up your environment. First things first, you’ll need to have Kurtosis installed. If you haven’t already, head over to the Kurtosis website and follow their installation guide. It’s pretty straightforward, and you’ll be up and running in no time.

Installing Kurtosis

The installation process typically involves downloading a script and running it in your terminal. Make sure you have the necessary dependencies, like Docker, installed as well. Once Kurtosis is installed, you can verify it by running kurtosis version in your terminal. You should see the version number displayed, confirming that Kurtosis is ready to go.

Configuring Your Ethereum Package

Next up, we need to configure the ethereum-package. This package contains everything we need to run our private chain, including the configurations for relays, builders, and clients. We’ll be using a mev.yaml file to specify our desired setup. This file tells Kurtosis how to deploy and connect the various components of our network.

Here’s a basic example of what your mev.yaml file might look like:

mev_type: flashbots
relay_count: 1
builder_count: 2

In this example, we’re specifying that we want to use Flashbots-style MEV, one relay, and two builders. You can adjust these parameters to fit your needs. For instance, if you want to experiment with different MEV strategies or increase the number of builders, you can modify these values.

Running Your Private Chain

With Kurtosis installed and your mev.yaml file configured, you’re ready to run your private chain. Open your terminal and navigate to the directory containing your mev.yaml file. Then, run the following command:

kurtosis run --enclave my-testnet github.com/ethpandaops/ethereum-package --args file mev.yaml

Let’s break down this command:

  • kurtosis run: This tells Kurtosis to start a new environment.
  • --enclave my-testnet: This specifies the name of your enclave, which is essentially an isolated environment for your private chain.
  • github.com/ethpandaops/ethereum-package: This is the URL of the ethereum-package repository, which Kurtosis will use to set up your network.
  • --args file mev.yaml: This tells Kurtosis to use the mev.yaml file for configuration.

Kurtosis will now pull the necessary Docker images, deploy the components, and connect them according to your mev.yaml file. This process might take a few minutes, so grab a coffee and let Kurtosis do its thing.

Adding Multiple Builders

Now, let’s tackle the main question: How do you add multiple builders to your private chain? As you’ve already seen, the mev.yaml file is your best friend here. By adjusting the builder_count parameter, you can easily specify the number of builders you want in your network. But what if you want to add builders dynamically, after your chain is already running?

Using kurtosis service add

This is where the kurtosis service add command comes in handy. This command allows you to add new services to your running Kurtosis environment. However, adding a builder isn't as simple as just running a single command. You need to ensure that the new builder is properly configured and connected to the rest of the network.

To add a builder with the kurtosis service add command, you’ll need to understand the specific parameters required by the reth-builder service (or whichever builder implementation you’re using). These parameters typically include things like the builder’s endpoint, the relay endpoint, and any necessary authentication tokens.

Configuring reth-builder

Let’s dive into an example using reth-builder. First, you’ll need to know the image name and any specific configurations it requires. You can usually find this information in the ethereum-package repository or the reth-builder documentation.

A typical command might look something like this:

kurtosis service add my-enclave reth-builder \
  --image <reth-builder-image> \
  --args <builder-specific-args>

Replace <reth-builder-image> with the actual Docker image name for reth-builder, and <builder-specific-args> with any arguments required by the builder. These arguments might include the relay endpoint, the builder’s listening address, and any API keys or tokens.

Example Configuration

For instance, if you’re using a reth-builder image and need to specify the relay endpoint, you might add an argument like --relay-endpoint <relay-endpoint>. You’ll also need to ensure that the builder can communicate with the relay, which might involve setting up networking rules or DNS entries within your Kurtosis environment.

Important Note: The exact parameters and configurations will vary depending on the builder implementation you’re using. Always refer to the builder’s documentation for the most accurate information.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Builder

  1. Identify Required Parameters: Check the documentation for your builder implementation (e.g., reth-builder) to understand the necessary parameters.
  2. Determine Endpoints: Make sure you know the endpoints for your relay and any other services the builder needs to connect to.
  3. Construct the Command: Use the kurtosis service add command with the appropriate image and arguments.
  4. Verify Connectivity: After adding the builder, verify that it can communicate with the relay and other services.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, double-check your parameters and ensure that all services are running correctly. Kurtosis provides logs for each service, which can be invaluable for debugging. You can access these logs using the kurtosis logs command.

Advanced Configurations and Tips

Now that you know how to run a basic PBS private chain with multiple builders, let’s explore some advanced configurations and tips to take your setup to the next level.

Customizing Builder Strategies

One of the exciting aspects of running a multi-builder setup is the ability to experiment with different builder strategies. Each builder can implement its own logic for selecting and ordering transactions, which can lead to interesting dynamics in the network. You might have one builder that prioritizes gas efficiency, while another focuses on maximizing MEV.

To customize builder strategies, you’ll need to dive into the code of your chosen builder implementation. This typically involves modifying the builder’s transaction selection and ordering algorithms. For example, you might implement a strategy that prioritizes transactions from certain senders or those that interact with specific smart contracts.

Monitoring and Logging

Effective monitoring and logging are crucial for understanding how your PBS private chain is performing. Kurtosis provides tools for accessing logs from each service, which can help you identify issues and track performance metrics. However, for more advanced monitoring, you might want to integrate additional tools, such as Prometheus and Grafana.

Prometheus is a popular open-source monitoring solution that can collect metrics from your services. Grafana is a data visualization tool that allows you to create dashboards and visualize your metrics in real-time. By integrating these tools with your Kurtosis environment, you can gain valuable insights into your network’s behavior.

Simulating Network Conditions

To truly test your PBS setup, you might want to simulate various network conditions, such as latency and packet loss. Kurtosis allows you to configure network emulation for your services, which can help you understand how your network behaves under different conditions. This is particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks and optimizing your setup for resilience.

Security Considerations

While running a private chain is generally safe, it’s still important to consider security. Make sure to use strong passwords and authentication tokens for your services. Additionally, be mindful of the data you’re storing in your private chain, and take steps to protect sensitive information. Regularly review your configurations and update your software to address any security vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

Alright, guys, that’s a wrap! You’ve now got a solid understanding of how to run a PBS private chain with multiple builders using the ethereum-package and Kurtosis. You’ve learned the basics of PBS, how to set up your environment, how to add builders dynamically, and some advanced configurations to take your setup to the next level.

Remember, the key to mastering PBS is experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try different configurations, tweak parameters, and dive into the code. The more you experiment, the better you’ll understand the intricacies of PBS and how it can improve Ethereum’s transaction ordering and MEV landscape.

So go ahead, fire up your private chain, and start building! And as always, if you have any questions or run into any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to the community. Happy building!

FAQ

Q: How do I verify that my builders are working correctly?

A: You can check the logs for each builder service using the kurtosis logs command. Look for any errors or warnings, and ensure that the builders are receiving and processing transactions.

Q: Can I use different builder implementations in the same private chain?

A: Yes, you can! This is a great way to experiment with different builder strategies and see how they interact. Just make sure to configure each builder correctly and ensure they can communicate with the relay.

Q: What if I encounter connectivity issues between my builders and relay?

A: Connectivity issues can be tricky, but the most common causes are misconfigured endpoints or networking rules. Double-check your configurations and ensure that all services can communicate with each other. Kurtosis’s logging and debugging tools can also help you pinpoint the issue.

Q: How can I persist data in my private chain?

A: By default, Kurtosis environments are ephemeral, meaning data is lost when the environment is stopped. To persist data, you can use volumes. Volumes allow you to mount directories from your host machine into your containers, ensuring that data is preserved across restarts.

Q: Where can I find more information about PBS and MEV?

A: There are tons of resources available online! Check out the Ethereum Foundation’s website, ethresearch.ch, and various blog posts and articles on MEV and PBS. The ethpandaops community is also a great place to ask questions and learn from others.