Speed up Ethereum synchronization using storage-optimized Amazon EC2 instances

Synchronizing an Ethereum node can be a time-consuming process that requires a careful balance between speed and security. The compute requirements during the initial synchronization phase are different from those in the steady-state phase when the node only needs to process new blocks. This difference often leads to the challenge of deciding whether to invest in more powerful hardware to reduce sync time, knowing that this power may be underutilized in the post-sync steady phase. This decision-making process can be complex, especially when it takes several days to sync an Ethereum node on low-spec hardware.

To address this challenge, using various types of Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) instances tailored to specific requirements can be beneficial. This approach involves utilizing storage-optimized EC2 instances for the synchronization process and then transitioning to memory-optimized instances during the run phase to minimize costs. By applying this strategy to the Ethereum mainnet using Geth and Lighthouse clients for the execution and consensus layers, respectively, users can enhance their synchronization experience. Moreover, this strategy is adaptable to different clients, protocols, and synchronization configurations, offering flexibility and scalability in node synchronization.

The solution involves a step-by-step process of: initial synchronization on an i8g instance with local SSD storage, transferring blockchain data to an EBS volume with upgraded performance, attaching the volume to an r8g instance for synchronization, and finally downgrading the EBS volume to standard performance. While different synchronization strategies exist with varying priorities regarding security and speed, the proposed trust-minimized approach aims to strike a balance between security and sync efficiency. This strategy can be customized based on individual requirements, offering users the flexibility to adapt based on their needs.

For Geth synchronization, the strategy involves using snap sync, which downloads state directly from the Ethereum network, leveraging the collective security of multiple network participants. This eliminates the need to trust a single third-party snapshot provider. On the other hand, Lighthouse synchronization utilizes Checkpoint Sync, which requires trusting a single recent finalized checkpoint, a crucial security assumption in proof-of-stake Ethereum.

To implement this solution, users need an Amazon Web Services (AWS) account with the appropriate permissions and a basic understanding of Ethereum. The synchronization process on a storage-optimized instance involves creating an i8g.2xlarge instance, configuring a secret for Geth and Lighthouse communication, installing Geth and Lighthouse, and monitoring their status. This hands-on approach provides users with a practical guide to accelerating Ethereum synchronization time using storage-optimized Amazon EC2 instances and optimizing node performance throughout the synchronization process.