harmonic/salsa v4.4.0-rc.1-harmonic on GitHub

This is a Mainnet-beta Upgrade Candidate release recommended for 25% adoption.
It is also recommended for Testnet and Devnet.

What's Changed

Upstream Changes: https://github.com/anza-xyz/agave/releases/tag/v4.4.0-rc.1
Tip-program flags moved to the validator. Move --tip-payment-program-pubkey, --tip-distribution-program-pubkey, --merkle-root-upload-authority, and --commission-bps from harmonic-scheduler to agave-validator.
Hardened identity key management around block engine authentication and tip crank signing.
Improved handling of gossip TPU restoration when external session ends.
Miscellaneous upstream backports

Tip-program flags moved to the validator. Move --tip-payment-program-pubkey, --tip-distribution-program-pubkey, --merkle-root-upload-authority, and --commission-bps from harmonic-scheduler to agave-validator.
Removed all access to private key material
Replaced all sources of panics with error handling and controlled shutdown
Improved fallback block performance and rewards
Build fallback block more readily when block stream errors
Make logging asynchronous and off the hot path
Minor hardening around block stream processing