[Bug] Chiavdf FTBFS: attempts link to "boost_system" which no longer exists

[moonlitbugs]

What happened?

Just went to upgrade to the latest version 2.5.5 of Chia, and chiavdf won't build:

      [100%] Linking CXX shared module build/lib.linux-x86_64-cpython-312/chiavdf.cpython-312-x86_64-linux-gnu.so
      [100%] Built target chiavdf
      running build_hook
      /usr/bin/ld: cannot find -lboost_system: No such file or directory
      collect2: error: ld returned 1 exit status
      make: *** [Makefile.vdf-client:54: compile_asm] Error 1

The problem is that the functionality provided by library boost_system was replaced quite awhile ago by header macros, the library kept around as an empty, vestigial stub. But in the latest version of Boost, 1.89.0, that library has been removed altogether.

If I read the documentation from the Boost team correctly, all you need to do is remove the -lboost_system linker term.

Version

2.5.5

What platform are you using?

Linux

What ui mode are you using?

CLI

Relevant log output

[wjblanke]

Interesting. We will definitely take a look. Thanks for the report!

[wjblanke]

I made a note in the chiavdf release notes for now until we can get a proper release out.

https://github.com/Chia-Network/chiavdf/releases/tag/1.1.12

Thanks again!

[github-actions]

This issue has not been updated in 14 days and is now flagged as stale. If this issue is still affecting you and in need of further review, please comment on it with an update to keep it from auto closing in 7 days.

[BrandtH22]

Hey @moonlitbugs , the chia vdf errors should be resolved in the latest RC but that version is being investigated to confirm whether it is affected by the recent supply chain issues (as of now it appears that rc2 is safe to use but out of an abundance of caution we are still investigating to confirm).

More context about the supply chain issues and specific dependencies can be found here:
https://x.com/SocketSecurity/status/1965072921656971419

[moonlitbugs]

Hey @BrandtH22 -
Just got a chance to give 2.5.6-rc2 a whirl. In my local repo, which has branches main and latest, I did:

$ git switch main
$ git pull
$ git clean -fdx
$ git branch release/2.5.6
$ ./install.sh
$ . activate
$ chia version
2.5.6rc2
$ ./install-timelord.sh
[... snip ...]
      [ 88%] Built target verifier_test
      [100%] Linking CXX shared module build/lib.linux-x86_64-cpython-312/chiavdf.cpython-312-x86_64-linux-gnu.so
      [100%] Built target chiavdf
      running build_hook
      /usr/bin/ld: cannot find -lboost_system: No such file or directory
      collect2: error: ld returned 1 exit status
      make: *** [Makefile.vdf-client:54: compile_asm] Error 1

*sigh* No joy

[wjblanke]

the fix is in main for chiavdf but we haven't made a release for it yet. it will likely have a release that is put into main instead of 2.5.6. We will work on this.

[moonlitbugs]

Hi Bill -
Yes, just tested the bleeding edge, and it's still sourcing chia-vdf-1.1.12, which of course explains the continuing build lossage.
-- Kris

<digress>
This is all moot for me, no doubt, as without an AVX-512 CPU, my container host can't run a timelord that would be of use, as I understand it. Clearly, a Small Farmer problem. 🫡
</digress>

[wjblanke]

#20092

Fix is in chia blockchain main

[moonlitbugs]

Thanks @wjblanke - Fix tested and confirmed here. Will mark as closed.

-- Kris

P.S. Minor nit: install-timelord.sh announces:

ERROR: Could not find venv/lib/python3.12/site-packages/vdf_bench

The actual path I have (Slackware distro) begins with a "."
.venv/lib64/python3.12/site-packages/vdf_bench

FWIW, 168K ips from the bench on a Ryzen 5900XT. *yawn*