Besu 22.7.4 created 2 blocks with 5-8% gas utilization

[nhlroyrocks]

Description

As an validator, I want besu to create blocks at least in the ballpark of 50% full so that block space is not wasted and greater transaction fees may be collected.

Acceptance Criteria

produce blocks with 50-100% gas utilization

Steps to Reproduce (Bug)

1. propose a block running besu execution client a. Nearly empty block b. Another nearly empty block within 12 hours of the first

Expected behavior: [What you expect to happen] fuller blocks like the ones before and after my blocks. before: https://etherscan.io/block/15637227 after: https://etherscan.io/block/15637229 before: https://etherscan.io/block/15640449 after: https://etherscan.io/block/15640451

Actual behavior: [What actually happens]

1. Nearly empty block
2. Another nearly empty block within 12 hours of the first

Frequency: [What percentage of the time does it occur?] 100% 2/2

Versions (Add all that apply)

• Software version: besu/v22.7.4/linux-x86_64/openjdk-java-11

• Java version: openjdk version "11.0.16" 2022-07-19 OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 11.0.16+8-post-Ubuntu-0ubuntu120.04) OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 11.0.16+8-post-Ubuntu-0ubuntu120.04, mixed mode, sharing)

• OS Name & Version: DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu DISTRIB_RELEASE=20.04 DISTRIB_CODENAME=focal DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 20.04.4 LTS" NAME="Ubuntu" VERSION="20.04.4 LTS (Focal Fossa)" ID=ubuntu ID_LIKE=debian PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 20.04.4 LTS" VERSION_ID="20.04" HOME_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/" SUPPORT_URL="https://help.ubuntu.com/" BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/" PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/legal/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy" VERSION_CODENAME=focal UBUNTU_CODENAME=focal

• Kernel Version: Linux ogserver 5.4.0-124-generic #140-Ubuntu SMP Thu Aug 4 02:23:37 UTC 2022 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Additional Information (Add any of the following or anything else that may be relevant)

• Besu setup info - genesis file, config options [Unit] Description=Besu Execution Client (Mainnet) Wants=network-online.target After=network-online.target [Service] User=besu Group=besu Type=simple Restart=always RestartSec=5 Environment="JAVA_OPTS=-Xmx8g" ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/besu/bin/besu
  --network=mainnet
  --sync-mode=X_SNAP
  --data-path=/var/lib/besu
  --data-storage-format=BONSAI
  --engine-jwt-secret=/var/lib/jwtsecret/jwt.hex [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target

• System info - 32 GB RAM Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9700K CPU @ 3.60GHz

[vanjan]

I'm seeing the same issue, albeit with higher gas utilisation (but still unacceptably low)

[fab-10]

Release 22.10.0 has a first improvements that result in bigger blocks, please report your exeperience. We are currently monitoring and working on further improvements.

[ajsutton]

Can confirm that we're consistently seeing full blocks now. Important note that EIP1559 targets an average of 50% full blocks. There can be variation around that so it's not unexpected to have some blocks with block 50% utilisation (the baseFee will then be reduced to allow lower priced transactions in and increase demand for block space), it just averages 50% over the long term.

Since upgrading to 22.10.1 our teku nodes are seeing a range of 49%-95% full blocks which is significantly better than expected. I'd expect to see the average drop to around 50% over a longer period of time though.