Near Protocol has released version 2.13.0, marking a significant update for developers and node operators. The new release includes a protocol upgrade and a database upgrade, both of which enhance the network’s performance and data integrity.
While the protocol and database upgrades are enabled, the release does not introduce any security enhancements. This means that existing security measures remain unchanged, and operators should continue to monitor for any future security patches.
A key change in this version is the deprecation of the old centralized state sync method. The `state_sync.sync` setting in `config.json` can no longer use the `ExternalStorage` option. If a node’s configuration still references `ExternalStorage`, the node will fail to sync. Developers must update the configuration to use a supported state sync method.
For those maintaining nodes, the transition involves editing the `config.json` file to replace the `ExternalStorage` block with a valid state sync configuration. This ensures that the node can synchronize state from the network without relying on a centralized storage provider.
Overall, version 2.13.0 focuses on improving core protocol functionality and database handling while encouraging a fully decentralized state sync approach. Operators should review the release notes and update their configurations accordingly to maintain network connectivity.