- The Solana blockchain network experienced a major outage on February 6, 2024 that halted transactions for over 5 hours due to a software issue related to the network’s upgrade mechanism.
- After collaborative debugging by Solana’s engineers and validators, the network was restarted and resumed operations following a software upgrade to version 1.17.20.
- The Solana team is conducting a root cause analysis and remains committed to enhancing network reliability and dependability for users and developers going forward.
On February 6, 2024, the Solana blockchain network experienced a major outage that disrupted services and halted transactions across the network. This was Solana’s first outage in over 350 days of operation.
The Outage
At approximately 9:53 AM UTC, the Solana network came to a complete stop in block production due to a software issue related to the network’s upgrade mechanism. This effectively froze all transactions on Solana for over 5 hours. The root cause was identified as a complication with the Berkeley Packet Filter, a component used for deploying upgrades and executing programs on Solana.
Resolution
After collaborative efforts between Solana’s engineers and validator operators, the network was successfully restarted at 1:57 PM UTC following an upgrade to software version 1.17.20. This allowed the cluster to resume block production and restore full services. The team promptly addressed the software flaw that caused the outage.
Impact
Despite the temporary disruption, the value of Solana’s SOL token showed resilience, with signs of recovery shortly after operations resumed. This major incident highlights the complexities in running a large-scale blockchain network. It also demonstrates the Solana community’s ability to effectively address issues and enhance reliability.
Looking Ahead
In response to the outage, the Solana Foundation has committed to conducting a thorough root cause analysis to prevent future incidents. This highlights their dedication to network dependability and building trust among users and developers. As Solana returns to normal operations, stakeholders remain optimistic about its capacity to navigate blockchain challenges going forward.
