Merge branch 'develop' into master

source/docs/eth2-temp.md

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+---
+id: eth2
+title: Connecting to the eth2 chain
+---
+
+Depending on your objective, there are various ways to run Nimbus in [Ethereum 2.0 mode](https://github.com/status-im/nimbus-eth2).
+
+Here is where we push our code: https://github.com/status-im/nimbus-eth2
+
+The reference documentation is [the Nimbus Book](https://nimbus.guide): it explains all the ways in which you can play with Nimbus, and use Nimbus to either monitor the eth2 chain or become a fully-fledged validator.
+
+It's hosted here: https://nimbus.guide
+
+## Build and run the Ethereum 2.0 local beacon chain simulation
+
+The beacon chain simulation runs several beacon nodes on the local machine, attaches several local validators to each, and builds a beacon chain between them. 
+
+**Prerequisites:** At the moment, Nimbus has to be built from source, and has the following external dependencies -- developer tools (C compiler, Make, Bash, Git), [PCRE](https://www.pcre.org/); follow the instructions outlined [here](https://github.com/status-im/nim-beacon-chain#prerequisites-for-everyone) to install them.
+
+Once you've installed the prerequisites, you're ready to enter the Ethereum 2.0 realm of Nimbus:
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/status-im/nim-beacon-chain
+cd nim-beacon-chain
+
+make
+make test
+```
+
+To run the simulation:
+
+```bash
+make eth2_network_simulation
+```
+
+If you'd like to clean the previous run's data:
+
+```bash
+make clean_eth2_network_simulation_all
+```
+
+To change the number of validators and nodes:
+
+```bash
+# Clear data files from your last run and start the simulation with a new genesis block:
+make VALIDATORS=192 NODES=6 USER_NODES=1 eth2_network_simulation
+```
+
+If you’d like to see the nodes running on separated sub-terminals inside one big window, install [Multitail](https://www.vanheusden.com/multitail/index.php) (if you're on a Mac, follow the instructions [here](https://brewinstall.org/Install-multitail-on-Mac-with-Brew/)), then:
+
+
+```
+USE_MULTITAIL="yes" make eth2_network_simulation
+```
+
+You’ll get something like this (click for full size):
+
+[![](https://i.imgur.com/Pc99VDO.png)](https://i.imgur.com/Pc99VDO.png)
+
+
+You can find out more about the beacon node simulation [here](https://our.status.im/nimbus-development-update-03/#beaconsimulation).
+
+## Build and run the Ethereum 2.0 local state transition simulation
+
+This simulation is primarily designed for researchers, but we'll cover it briefly here in case you're curious :)
+
+The [state transition](https://github.com/ethereum/annotated-spec/blob/master/phase0/beacon-chain.md#beacon-chain-state-transition-function) simulation quickly runs the beacon chain state transition function in isolation and outputs JSON snapshots of the state (directly to the `nim-beacon-chain` directory). It runs without networking and blocks are processed without slot time delays.
+
+```bash
+# build the state simulator, then display its help ("-d:release" speeds it
+# up substantially, allowing the simulation of longer runs in reasonable time)
+make NIMFLAGS="-d:release" state_sim
+build/state_sim --help
+```
+
+Use the output of the `help` command to pass desired values to the simulator - experiment with changing the number of slots, validators, , etc. to get different results.
+
+The most important options are:
+
+- `slots` : the number of slots to run the simulation for (default 192)
+- `validators`: the number of validators (default 6400)
+- `attesterRatio`: the expected fraction of attesters that actually do their work for every slot (default 0.73)
+- `json_interval`: how often JSON snapshots of the state are outputted (default every 32 slots -- or once per epoch)
+
+For example, to run the state simulator for 384 slots, with 20,000 validators, and an average of 66% of attesters doing their work every slot, while outputting snapshots of the state twice per epoch, run:
+
+```
+build/state_sim --slots=384 --validators=20000 --attesterRatio=0.66 --json_interval=16
+```
+
+
+## Medalla Ethereum 2.0 Testnet
+
+There is a publicly available [Ethereum 2.0](https://our.status.im/tag/two-point-oh) multi-client testnet currently running. Read all about it [here](https://blog.ethereum.org/2020/08/03/eth2-quick-update-no-14/), and learn how you can join it in [the Nimbus beacon chain book](https://status-im.github.io/nimbus-eth2/medalla.html) 💛
+

source/docs/eth2.md

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ The reference documentation is [the Nimbus Book](https://nimbus.guide): it expla
 
 We encourage you to check it out here: https://nimbus.guide
 
+
 ## Prater testnet
 
 The latest Eth2 testnet, [Prater](https://twitter.com/Butta_eth/status/1374383003011452937), is now open to the public.
@@ -17,3 +18,4 @@ Prater's objective is to ensure that the network remains stable under a higher l
 
 For more, see the [Prater page](https://nimbus.guide/prater.html) of the Nimbus guide.
 
+

themes/navy/layout/index.swig

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
         <div class="intro-buttons">
             <a class="button button--main" href="https://discord.gg/qnjVyhatUa">JOIN OUR DISCORD</a>
             <a class="button button--main" href="https://status-im.github.io/nimbus-eth2/">Play with Nimbus</a>
+                <a class="button button--main" href="http://subscribe.nimbus.team/">Stay updated</a>
         </div>
     </div>
 </div>