XRP Ledger update introduced after node outage shakes network stability

Developers respond to XRPL outage with significant release enhancing node functionality and voting protocols.

Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.

XRP Ledger (XRPL) developers have rolled out a new server update to address a recent temporary outage that disrupted node operations.

Network outage

On Nov. 25, XRPL experienced a partial network outage that impacted several node types, including Full History, Current Ledger, Pathfinding, and Submission nodes.

The issue stemmed from a missing ledger that caused Ripple’s cluster and Full History servers to lose access to the current ledger. This interruption rendered the nodes incapable of validating transactions.

XRPL Labs developer WietseWind noted that XRPL’s Full History servers, which store the blockchain’s complete transaction data, experienced significant reliability challenges, impacting the network’s functionality. He stated:

“It seems ledger 92346896-92347095 have been ‘lost’. We’ve seen nodes going down no matter their node type: full history, current ledger, pathfinding, submission.”

However, WietseWind later reported that most nodes resumed normal operations without manual intervention.

XRPL update

To address these issues, Brad Chase, RippleX’s Vice President of Engineering, revealed a new 2.3.0 version update for XRPL node operators and validators to prevent similar issues in the future and enhance network stability.

In a Nov. 26 post on X, Chase stated:

“XRPL node operators and validators – please update your infra to the 2.3.0 rippled release ASAP, and big thanks to all who worked quickly to release a fix. Given the nature of the issue, more details on the root cause to come after the network adopts the fix (to ensure safety).”

The update introduces eight significant amendments, such as Multi-Purpose Tokens (MPTs), Clawback support for Automated Market Makers (AMMs), and features for bundling offers with NFT minting.

It also adds new credentials functionality and server stability improvements. Additionally, the update includes changes to the voting mechanism within the ledger, making it critical for operators to implement it promptly.

Meanwhile, the timing of this update is particularly significant as XRPL has been gaining traction in the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), attracting institutional participants like OpenEden and SG-FORGE, the crypto arm of Societe Generale.

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