dex: replace total difficulty with block number (#73)

In dexon, we don't "mine" and the blockchain won't and shouldn't fork, so
there is no difficulty concept, just replace it with block number.

Note: this commit only replace total difficulty related logic and code
in dex, dex/downloader package.

10 files changed, 143 insertions, 177 deletions

diff --git a/dex/downloader/downloader.go b/dex/downloader/downloader.go
index 07c72262c..809fe7e4a 100644
--- a/dex/downloader/downloader.go
+++ b/dex/downloader/downloader.go
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ package downloader
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"math/big"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
@@ -177,9 +176,6 @@ type LightChain interface {
 
 	GetGovStateByNumber(number uint64) (*types.GovState, error)
 
-	// GetTd returns the total difficulty of a local block.
-	GetTd(common.Hash, uint64) *big.Int
-
 	// InsertDexonHeaderChain inserts a batch of headers into the local chain.
 	InsertDexonHeaderChain([]*types.HeaderWithGovState, *dexCore.TSigVerifierCache) (int, error)
 
@@ -330,8 +326,8 @@ func (d *Downloader) UnregisterPeer(id string) error {
 
 // Synchronise tries to sync up our local block chain with a remote peer, both
 // adding various sanity checks as well as wrapping it with various log entries.
-func (d *Downloader) Synchronise(id string, head common.Hash, td *big.Int, mode SyncMode) error {
-	err := d.synchronise(id, head, td, mode)
+func (d *Downloader) Synchronise(id string, head common.Hash, number uint64, mode SyncMode) error {
+	err := d.synchronise(id, head, number, mode)
 	switch err {
 	case nil:
 	case errBusy:
@@ -354,9 +350,9 @@ func (d *Downloader) Synchronise(id string, head common.Hash, td *big.Int, mode
 }
 
 // synchronise will select the peer and use it for synchronising. If an empty string is given
-// it will use the best peer possible and synchronize if its TD is higher than our own. If any of the
+// it will use the best peer possible and synchronize if its number is higher than our own. If any of the
 // checks fail an error will be returned. This method is synchronous
-func (d *Downloader) synchronise(id string, hash common.Hash, td *big.Int, mode SyncMode) error {
+func (d *Downloader) synchronise(id string, hash common.Hash, number uint64, mode SyncMode) error {
 	// Mock out the synchronisation if testing
 	if d.synchroniseMock != nil {
 		return d.synchroniseMock(id, hash)
@@ -413,12 +409,12 @@ func (d *Downloader) synchronise(id string, hash common.Hash, td *big.Int, mode
 	if p == nil {
 		return errUnknownPeer
 	}
-	return d.syncWithPeer(p, hash, td)
+	return d.syncWithPeer(p, hash, number)
 }
 
 // syncWithPeer starts a block synchronization based on the hash chain from the
 // specified peer and head hash.
-func (d *Downloader) syncWithPeer(p *peerConnection, hash common.Hash, td *big.Int) (err error) {
+func (d *Downloader) syncWithPeer(p *peerConnection, hash common.Hash, number uint64) (err error) {
 	d.mux.Post(StartEvent{})
 	defer func() {
 		// reset on error
@@ -432,7 +428,7 @@ func (d *Downloader) syncWithPeer(p *peerConnection, hash common.Hash, td *big.I
 		return errTooOld
 	}
 
-	log.Debug("Synchronising with the network", "peer", p.id, "eth", p.version, "head", hash, "td", td, "mode", d.mode)
+	log.Debug("Synchronising with the network", "peer", p.id, "eth", p.version, "head", hash, "number", number, "mode", d.mode)
 	defer func(start time.Time) {
 		log.Debug("Synchronisation terminated", "elapsed", time.Since(start))
 	}(time.Now())
@@ -510,7 +506,7 @@ func (d *Downloader) syncWithPeer(p *peerConnection, hash common.Hash, td *big.I
 		func() error { return d.fetchHeaders(p, origin+1, pivot) }, // Headers are always retrieved
 		func() error { return d.fetchBodies(origin + 1) },          // Bodies are retrieved during normal and fast sync
 		func() error { return d.fetchReceipts(origin + 1) },        // Receipts are retrieved during fast sync
-		func() error { return d.processHeaders(origin+1, pivot, td) },
+		func() error { return d.processHeaders(origin+1, pivot, number) },
 	}
 	if d.mode == FastSync {
 		fetchers = append(fetchers, func() error { return d.processFastSyncContent(latest) })
@@ -1305,7 +1301,7 @@ func (d *Downloader) fetchParts(errCancel error, deliveryCh chan dataPack, deliv
 // processHeaders takes batches of retrieved headers from an input channel and
 // keeps processing and scheduling them into the header chain and downloader's
 // queue until the stream ends or a failure occurs.
-func (d *Downloader) processHeaders(origin uint64, pivot uint64, td *big.Int) error {
+func (d *Downloader) processHeaders(origin uint64, pivot uint64, number uint64) error {
 	// Keep a count of uncertain headers to roll back
 	rollback := []*types.Header{}
 	defer func() {
@@ -1351,21 +1347,21 @@ func (d *Downloader) processHeaders(origin uint64, pivot uint64, td *big.Int) er
 					case <-d.cancelCh:
 					}
 				}
-				// If no headers were retrieved at all, the peer violated its TD promise that it had a
+				// If no headers were retrieved at all, the peer violated its number promise that it had a
 				// better chain compared to ours. The only exception is if its promised blocks were
 				// already imported by other means (e.g. fecher):
 				//
 				// R <remote peer>, L <local node>: Both at block 10
 				// R: Mine block 11, and propagate it to L
 				// L: Queue block 11 for import
-				// L: Notice that R's head and TD increased compared to ours, start sync
+				// L: Notice that R's head and number increased compared to ours, start sync
 				// L: Import of block 11 finishes
 				// L: Sync begins, and finds common ancestor at 11
-				// L: Request new headers up from 11 (R's TD was higher, it must have something)
+				// L: Request new headers up from 11 (R's number was higher, it must have something)
 				// R: Nothing to give
 				if d.mode != LightSync {
 					head := d.blockchain.CurrentBlock()
-					if !gotHeaders && td.Cmp(d.blockchain.GetTd(head.Hash(), head.NumberU64())) > 0 {
+					if !gotHeaders && number > head.NumberU64() {
 						return errStallingPeer
 					}
 				}
@@ -1378,7 +1374,7 @@ func (d *Downloader) processHeaders(origin uint64, pivot uint64, td *big.Int) er
 				// peer gave us something useful, we're already happy/progressed (above check).
 				if d.mode == FastSync || d.mode == LightSync {
 					head := d.lightchain.CurrentHeader()
-					if td.Cmp(d.lightchain.GetTd(head.Hash(), head.Number.Uint64())) > 0 {
+					if number > head.Number.Uint64() {
 						return errStallingPeer
 					}
 				}
diff --git a/dex/downloader/downloader_test.go b/dex/downloader/downloader_test.go
index c5e1451f5..0d92ad97f 100644
--- a/dex/downloader/downloader_test.go
+++ b/dex/downloader/downloader_test.go
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ package downloader
 import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"math/big"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"testing"
@@ -56,7 +55,6 @@ type downloadTester struct {
 	ownHeaders  map[common.Hash]*types.Header  // Headers belonging to the tester
 	ownBlocks   map[common.Hash]*types.Block   // Blocks belonging to the tester
 	ownReceipts map[common.Hash]types.Receipts // Receipts belonging to the tester
-	ownChainTd  map[common.Hash]*big.Int       // Total difficulties of the blocks in the local chain
 
 	lock sync.RWMutex
 }
@@ -71,7 +69,6 @@ func newTester() *downloadTester {
 		ownHeaders:  map[common.Hash]*types.Header{testGenesis.Hash(): testGenesis.Header()},
 		ownBlocks:   map[common.Hash]*types.Block{testGenesis.Hash(): testGenesis},
 		ownReceipts: map[common.Hash]types.Receipts{testGenesis.Hash(): nil},
-		ownChainTd:  map[common.Hash]*big.Int{testGenesis.Hash(): testGenesis.Difficulty()},
 	}
 	tester.stateDb = ethdb.NewMemDatabase()
 	tester.stateDb.Put(testGenesis.Root().Bytes(), []byte{0x00})
@@ -86,17 +83,17 @@ func (dl *downloadTester) terminate() {
 }
 
 // sync starts synchronizing with a remote peer, blocking until it completes.
-func (dl *downloadTester) sync(id string, td *big.Int, mode SyncMode) error {
+func (dl *downloadTester) sync(id string, number uint64, mode SyncMode) error {
 	dl.lock.RLock()
 	hash := dl.peers[id].chain.headBlock().Hash()
-	// If no particular TD was requested, load from the peer's blockchain
-	if td == nil {
-		td = dl.peers[id].chain.td(hash)
+	// If no particular number was requested, load from the peer's blockchain
+	if number == 0 {
+		number, _ = dl.peers[id].chain.hashToNumber(hash)
 	}
 	dl.lock.RUnlock()
 
 	// Synchronise with the chosen peer and ensure proper cleanup afterwards
-	err := dl.downloader.synchronise(id, hash, td, mode)
+	err := dl.downloader.synchronise(id, hash, number, mode)
 	select {
 	case <-dl.downloader.cancelCh:
 		// Ok, downloader fully cancelled after sync cycle
@@ -202,14 +199,6 @@ func (dl *downloadTester) FastSyncCommitHead(hash common.Hash) error {
 	return fmt.Errorf("non existent block: %x", hash[:4])
 }
 
-// GetTd retrieves the block's total difficulty from the canonical chain.
-func (dl *downloadTester) GetTd(hash common.Hash, number uint64) *big.Int {
-	dl.lock.RLock()
-	defer dl.lock.RUnlock()
-
-	return dl.ownChainTd[hash]
-}
-
 // InsertDexonHeaderChain injects a new batch of headers into the simulated chain.
 func (dl *downloadTester) InsertDexonHeaderChain(headers []*types.HeaderWithGovState, verifierCache *dexCore.TSigVerifierCache) (i int, err error) {
 	dl.lock.Lock()
@@ -234,7 +223,6 @@ func (dl *downloadTester) InsertDexonHeaderChain(headers []*types.HeaderWithGovS
 		}
 		dl.ownHashes = append(dl.ownHashes, header.Hash())
 		dl.ownHeaders[header.Hash()] = header.Header
-		dl.ownChainTd[header.Hash()] = new(big.Int).Add(dl.ownChainTd[header.ParentHash], header.Difficulty)
 	}
 	return len(headers), nil
 }
@@ -256,7 +244,6 @@ func (dl *downloadTester) InsertDexonChain(blocks types.Blocks) (i int, err erro
 		}
 		dl.ownBlocks[block.Hash()] = block
 		dl.stateDb.Put(block.Root().Bytes(), []byte{0x00})
-		dl.ownChainTd[block.Hash()] = new(big.Int).Add(dl.ownChainTd[block.ParentHash()], block.Difficulty())
 	}
 	return len(blocks), nil
 }
@@ -288,7 +275,6 @@ func (dl *downloadTester) Rollback(hashes []common.Hash) {
 		if dl.ownHashes[len(dl.ownHashes)-1] == hashes[i] {
 			dl.ownHashes = dl.ownHashes[:len(dl.ownHashes)-1]
 		}
-		delete(dl.ownChainTd, hashes[i])
 		delete(dl.ownHeaders, hashes[i])
 		delete(dl.ownReceipts, hashes[i])
 		delete(dl.ownBlocks, hashes[i])
@@ -324,9 +310,10 @@ type downloadTesterPeer struct {
 
 // Head constructs a function to retrieve a peer's current head hash
 // and total difficulty.
-func (dlp *downloadTesterPeer) Head() (common.Hash, *big.Int) {
+func (dlp *downloadTesterPeer) Head() (common.Hash, uint64) {
 	b := dlp.chain.headBlock()
-	return b.Hash(), dlp.chain.td(b.Hash())
+	number, _ := dlp.chain.hashToNumber(b.Hash())
+	return b.Hash(), number
 }
 
 // RequestHeadersByHash constructs a GetBlockHeaders function based on a hashed
@@ -457,7 +444,7 @@ func testCanonicalSynchronisation(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester.newPeer("peer", protocol, chain)
 
 	// Synchronise with the peer and make sure all relevant data was retrieved
-	if err := tester.sync("peer", nil, mode); err != nil {
+	if err := tester.sync("peer", 0, mode); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to synchronise blocks: %v", err)
 	}
 	assertOwnChain(t, tester, chain.len())
@@ -489,7 +476,7 @@ func testThrottling(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	// Start a synchronisation concurrently
 	errc := make(chan error)
 	go func() {
-		errc <- tester.sync("peer", nil, mode)
+		errc <- tester.sync("peer", 0, mode)
 	}()
 	// Iteratively take some blocks, always checking the retrieval count
 	for {
@@ -604,7 +591,7 @@ func testCancel(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 		t.Errorf("download queue not idle")
 	}
 	// Synchronise with the peer, but cancel afterwards
-	if err := tester.sync("peer", nil, mode); err != nil {
+	if err := tester.sync("peer", 0, mode); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to synchronise blocks: %v", err)
 	}
 	tester.downloader.Cancel()
@@ -635,7 +622,7 @@ func testMultiSynchronisation(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 		id := fmt.Sprintf("peer #%d", i)
 		tester.newPeer(id, protocol, chain.shorten(chain.len()/(i+1)))
 	}
-	if err := tester.sync("peer #0", nil, mode); err != nil {
+	if err := tester.sync("peer #0", 0, mode); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to synchronise blocks: %v", err)
 	}
 	assertOwnChain(t, tester, chain.len())
@@ -665,7 +652,7 @@ func testMultiProtoSync(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	tester.newPeer("peer 64", 64, chain)
 
 	// Synchronise with the requested peer and make sure all blocks were retrieved
-	if err := tester.sync(fmt.Sprintf("peer %d", protocol), nil, mode); err != nil {
+	if err := tester.sync(fmt.Sprintf("peer %d", protocol), 0, mode); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to synchronise blocks: %v", err)
 	}
 	assertOwnChain(t, tester, chain.len())
@@ -707,7 +694,7 @@ func testEmptyShortCircuit(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 		atomic.AddInt32(&receiptsHave, int32(len(headers)))
 	}
 	// Synchronise with the peer and make sure all blocks were retrieved
-	if err := tester.sync("peer", nil, mode); err != nil {
+	if err := tester.sync("peer", 0, mode); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to synchronise blocks: %v", err)
 	}
 	assertOwnChain(t, tester, chain.len())
@@ -752,12 +739,12 @@ func testMissingHeaderAttack(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	delete(brokenChain.headerm, brokenChain.chain[brokenChain.len()/2])
 	tester.newPeer("attack", protocol, brokenChain)
 
-	if err := tester.sync("attack", nil, mode); err == nil {
+	if err := tester.sync("attack", 0, mode); err == nil {
 		t.Fatalf("succeeded attacker synchronisation")
 	}
 	// Synchronise with the valid peer and make sure sync succeeds
 	tester.newPeer("valid", protocol, chain)
-	if err := tester.sync("valid", nil, mode); err != nil {
+	if err := tester.sync("valid", 0, mode); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to synchronise blocks: %v", err)
 	}
 	assertOwnChain(t, tester, chain.len())
@@ -786,13 +773,13 @@ func testShiftedHeaderAttack(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	delete(brokenChain.blockm, brokenChain.chain[1])
 	delete(brokenChain.receiptm, brokenChain.chain[1])
 	tester.newPeer("attack", protocol, brokenChain)
-	if err := tester.sync("attack", nil, mode); err == nil {
+	if err := tester.sync("attack", 0, mode); err == nil {
 		t.Fatalf("succeeded attacker synchronisation")
 	}
 
 	// Synchronise with the valid peer and make sure sync succeeds
 	tester.newPeer("valid", protocol, chain)
-	if err := tester.sync("valid", nil, mode); err != nil {
+	if err := tester.sync("valid", 0, mode); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to synchronise blocks: %v", err)
 	}
 	assertOwnChain(t, tester, chain.len())
@@ -822,7 +809,7 @@ func testInvalidHeaderRollback(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	delete(fastAttackChain.headerm, fastAttackChain.chain[missing])
 	tester.newPeer("fast-attack", protocol, fastAttackChain)
 
-	if err := tester.sync("fast-attack", nil, mode); err == nil {
+	if err := tester.sync("fast-attack", 0, mode); err == nil {
 		t.Fatalf("succeeded fast attacker synchronisation")
 	}
 	if head := tester.CurrentHeader().Number.Int64(); int(head) > MaxHeaderFetch {
@@ -838,7 +825,7 @@ func testInvalidHeaderRollback(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	delete(blockAttackChain.headerm, blockAttackChain.chain[missing])
 	tester.newPeer("block-attack", protocol, blockAttackChain)
 
-	if err := tester.sync("block-attack", nil, mode); err == nil {
+	if err := tester.sync("block-attack", 0, mode); err == nil {
 		t.Fatalf("succeeded block attacker synchronisation")
 	}
 	if head := tester.CurrentHeader().Number.Int64(); int(head) > 2*fsHeaderSafetyNet+MaxHeaderFetch {
@@ -861,7 +848,7 @@ func testInvalidHeaderRollback(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 		}
 		tester.downloader.syncInitHook = nil
 	}
-	if err := tester.sync("withhold-attack", nil, mode); err == nil {
+	if err := tester.sync("withhold-attack", 0, mode); err == nil {
 		t.Fatalf("succeeded withholding attacker synchronisation")
 	}
 	if head := tester.CurrentHeader().Number.Int64(); int(head) > 2*fsHeaderSafetyNet+MaxHeaderFetch {
@@ -878,7 +865,7 @@ func testInvalidHeaderRollback(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	// sync. Note, we can't assert anything about the receipts since we won't purge the
 	// database of them, hence we can't use assertOwnChain.
 	tester.newPeer("valid", protocol, chain)
-	if err := tester.sync("valid", nil, mode); err != nil {
+	if err := tester.sync("valid", 0, mode); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to synchronise blocks: %v", err)
 	}
 	if hs := len(tester.ownHeaders); hs != chain.len() {
@@ -891,16 +878,26 @@ func testInvalidHeaderRollback(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	}
 }
 
-// Tests that a peer advertising an high TD doesn't get to stall the downloader
+// Tests that a peer advertising an high number doesn't get to stall the downloader
 // afterwards by not sending any useful hashes.
-func TestHighTDStarvationAttack62(t *testing.T)      { testHighTDStarvationAttack(t, 62, FullSync) }
-func TestHighTDStarvationAttack63Full(t *testing.T)  { testHighTDStarvationAttack(t, 63, FullSync) }
-func TestHighTDStarvationAttack63Fast(t *testing.T)  { testHighTDStarvationAttack(t, 63, FastSync) }
-func TestHighTDStarvationAttack64Full(t *testing.T)  { testHighTDStarvationAttack(t, 64, FullSync) }
-func TestHighTDStarvationAttack64Fast(t *testing.T)  { testHighTDStarvationAttack(t, 64, FastSync) }
-func TestHighTDStarvationAttack64Light(t *testing.T) { testHighTDStarvationAttack(t, 64, LightSync) }
-
-func testHighTDStarvationAttack(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
+func TestHighNumberStarvationAttack62(t *testing.T) { testHighNumberStarvationAttack(t, 62, FullSync) }
+func TestHighNumberStarvationAttack63Full(t *testing.T) {
+	testHighNumberStarvationAttack(t, 63, FullSync)
+}
+func TestHighNumberStarvationAttack63Fast(t *testing.T) {
+	testHighNumberStarvationAttack(t, 63, FastSync)
+}
+func TestHighNumberStarvationAttack64Full(t *testing.T) {
+	testHighNumberStarvationAttack(t, 64, FullSync)
+}
+func TestHighNumberStarvationAttack64Fast(t *testing.T) {
+	testHighNumberStarvationAttack(t, 64, FastSync)
+}
+func TestHighNumberStarvationAttack64Light(t *testing.T) {
+	testHighNumberStarvationAttack(t, 64, LightSync)
+}
+
+func testHighNumberStarvationAttack(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
 	tester := newTester()
@@ -908,7 +905,7 @@ func testHighTDStarvationAttack(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 
 	chain := testChainBase.shorten(1)
 	tester.newPeer("attack", protocol, chain)
-	if err := tester.sync("attack", big.NewInt(1000000), mode); err != errStallingPeer {
+	if err := tester.sync("attack", 1000000, mode); err != errStallingPeer {
 		t.Fatalf("synchronisation error mismatch: have %v, want %v", err, errStallingPeer)
 	}
 }
@@ -964,7 +961,7 @@ func testBlockHeaderAttackerDropping(t *testing.T, protocol int) {
 		// Simulate a synchronisation and check the required result
 		tester.downloader.synchroniseMock = func(string, common.Hash) error { return tt.result }
 
-		tester.downloader.Synchronise(id, tester.genesis.Hash(), big.NewInt(1000), FullSync)
+		tester.downloader.Synchronise(id, tester.genesis.Hash(), 1000, FullSync)
 		if _, ok := tester.peers[id]; !ok != tt.drop {
 			t.Errorf("test %d: peer drop mismatch for %v: have %v, want %v", i, tt.result, !ok, tt.drop)
 		}
@@ -1004,7 +1001,7 @@ func testSyncProgress(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 
 	go func() {
 		defer pending.Done()
-		if err := tester.sync("peer-half", nil, mode); err != nil {
+		if err := tester.sync("peer-half", 0, mode); err != nil {
 			panic(fmt.Sprintf("failed to synchronise blocks: %v", err))
 		}
 	}()
@@ -1020,7 +1017,7 @@ func testSyncProgress(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	pending.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		defer pending.Done()
-		if err := tester.sync("peer-full", nil, mode); err != nil {
+		if err := tester.sync("peer-full", 0, mode); err != nil {
 			panic(fmt.Sprintf("failed to synchronise blocks: %v", err))
 		}
 	}()
@@ -1090,7 +1087,7 @@ func testFailedSyncProgress(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	pending.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		defer pending.Done()
-		if err := tester.sync("faulty", nil, mode); err == nil {
+		if err := tester.sync("faulty", 0, mode); err == nil {
 			panic("succeeded faulty synchronisation")
 		}
 	}()
@@ -1108,7 +1105,7 @@ func testFailedSyncProgress(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	pending.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		defer pending.Done()
-		if err := tester.sync("valid", nil, mode); err != nil {
+		if err := tester.sync("valid", 0, mode); err != nil {
 			panic(fmt.Sprintf("failed to synchronise blocks: %v", err))
 		}
 	}()
@@ -1161,7 +1158,7 @@ func testFakedSyncProgress(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 	pending.Add(1)
 	go func() {
 		defer pending.Done()
-		if err := tester.sync("attack", nil, mode); err == nil {
+		if err := tester.sync("attack", 0, mode); err == nil {
 			panic("succeeded attacker synchronisation")
 		}
 	}()
@@ -1181,7 +1178,7 @@ func testFakedSyncProgress(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 
 	go func() {
 		defer pending.Done()
-		if err := tester.sync("valid", nil, mode); err != nil {
+		if err := tester.sync("valid", 0, mode); err != nil {
 			panic(fmt.Sprintf("failed to synchronise blocks: %v", err))
 		}
 	}()
@@ -1240,7 +1237,7 @@ func testDeliverHeadersHang(t *testing.T, protocol int, mode SyncMode) {
 			peer:   tester.downloader.peers.peers["peer"].peer,
 			tester: tester,
 		}
-		if err := tester.sync("peer", nil, mode); err != nil {
+		if err := tester.sync("peer", 0, mode); err != nil {
 			t.Errorf("test %d: sync failed: %v", i, err)
 		}
 		tester.terminate()
@@ -1252,7 +1249,7 @@ type floodingTestPeer struct {
 	tester *downloadTester
 }
 
-func (ftp *floodingTestPeer) Head() (common.Hash, *big.Int) { return ftp.peer.Head() }
+func (ftp *floodingTestPeer) Head() (common.Hash, uint64) { return ftp.peer.Head() }
 func (ftp *floodingTestPeer) RequestHeadersByHash(hash common.Hash, count int, skip int, reverse, withGov bool) error {
 	return ftp.peer.RequestHeadersByHash(hash, count, skip, reverse, withGov)
 }
diff --git a/dex/downloader/peer.go b/dex/downloader/peer.go
index b6f2936b7..25c355df1 100644
--- a/dex/downloader/peer.go
+++ b/dex/downloader/peer.go
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"math"
-	"math/big"
 	"sort"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
@@ -77,7 +76,7 @@ type peerConnection struct {
 
 // LightPeer encapsulates the methods required to synchronise with a remote light peer.
 type LightPeer interface {
-	Head() (common.Hash, *big.Int)
+	Head() (common.Hash, uint64)
 	RequestHeadersByHash(common.Hash, int, int, bool, bool) error
 	RequestHeadersByNumber(uint64, int, int, bool, bool) error
 	RequestGovStateByHash(common.Hash) error
@@ -96,7 +95,7 @@ type lightPeerWrapper struct {
 	peer LightPeer
 }
 
-func (w *lightPeerWrapper) Head() (common.Hash, *big.Int) { return w.peer.Head() }
+func (w *lightPeerWrapper) Head() (common.Hash, uint64) { return w.peer.Head() }
 func (w *lightPeerWrapper) RequestHeadersByHash(h common.Hash, amount int, skip int, reverse, withGov bool) error {
 	return w.peer.RequestHeadersByHash(h, amount, skip, reverse, withGov)
 }
diff --git a/dex/downloader/testchain_test.go b/dex/downloader/testchain_test.go
index 5dcc1f403..810fb41b3 100644
--- a/dex/downloader/testchain_test.go
+++ b/dex/downloader/testchain_test.go
@@ -96,7 +96,6 @@ type testChain struct {
 	headerm  map[common.Hash]*types.Header
 	blockm   map[common.Hash]*types.Block
 	receiptm map[common.Hash][]*types.Receipt
-	tdm      map[common.Hash]*big.Int
 }
 
 // newTestChain creates a blockchain of the given length.
@@ -105,7 +104,6 @@ func newTestChain(length int, genesis *types.Block) *testChain {
 	tc.genesis = genesis
 	tc.chain = append(tc.chain, genesis.Hash())
 	tc.headerm[tc.genesis.Hash()] = tc.genesis.Header()
-	tc.tdm[tc.genesis.Hash()] = tc.genesis.Difficulty()
 	tc.blockm[tc.genesis.Hash()] = tc.genesis
 	tc.generate(length-1, 0, genesis, false)
 	return tc
@@ -133,12 +131,10 @@ func (tc *testChain) copy(newlen int) *testChain {
 		headerm:  make(map[common.Hash]*types.Header, newlen),
 		blockm:   make(map[common.Hash]*types.Block, newlen),
 		receiptm: make(map[common.Hash][]*types.Receipt, newlen),
-		tdm:      make(map[common.Hash]*big.Int, newlen),
 	}
 	for i := 0; i < len(tc.chain) && i < newlen; i++ {
 		hash := tc.chain[i]
 		cpy.chain = append(cpy.chain, tc.chain[i])
-		cpy.tdm[hash] = tc.tdm[hash]
 		cpy.blockm[hash] = tc.blockm[hash]
 		cpy.headerm[hash] = tc.headerm[hash]
 		cpy.receiptm[hash] = tc.receiptm[hash]
@@ -179,15 +175,12 @@ func (tc *testChain) generate(n int, seed byte, parent *types.Block, heavy bool)
 	})
 
 	// Convert the block-chain into a hash-chain and header/block maps
-	td := new(big.Int).Set(tc.td(parent.Hash()))
 	for i, b := range blocks {
-		td := td.Add(td, b.Difficulty())
 		hash := b.Hash()
 		tc.chain = append(tc.chain, hash)
 		tc.blockm[hash] = b
 		tc.headerm[hash] = b.Header()
 		tc.receiptm[hash] = receipts[i]
-		tc.tdm[hash] = new(big.Int).Set(td)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -201,11 +194,6 @@ func (tc *testChain) headBlock() *types.Block {
 	return tc.blockm[tc.chain[len(tc.chain)-1]]
 }
 
-// td returns the total difficulty of the given block.
-func (tc *testChain) td(hash common.Hash) *big.Int {
-	return tc.tdm[hash]
-}
-
 // headersByHash returns headers in ascending order from the given hash.
 func (tc *testChain) headersByHash(origin common.Hash, amount int, skip int) []*types.HeaderWithGovState {
 	num, _ := tc.hashToNumber(origin)
diff --git a/dex/handler.go b/dex/handler.go
index 997ce2c47..d45afa628 100644
--- a/dex/handler.go
+++ b/dex/handler.go
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"math"
-	"math/big"
 	"net"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
@@ -355,9 +354,8 @@ func (pm *ProtocolManager) handle(p *peer) error {
 		head    = pm.blockchain.CurrentHeader()
 		hash    = head.Hash()
 		number  = head.Number.Uint64()
-		td      = pm.blockchain.GetTd(hash, number)
 	)
-	if err := p.Handshake(pm.networkID, td, hash, genesis.Hash()); err != nil {
+	if err := p.Handshake(pm.networkID, number, hash, genesis.Hash()); err != nil {
 		p.Log().Debug("Ethereum handshake failed", "err", err)
 		return err
 	}
@@ -732,32 +730,32 @@ func (pm *ProtocolManager) handleMsg(p *peer) error {
 			break
 		}
 		// Retrieve and decode the propagated block
-		var request newBlockData
-		if err := msg.Decode(&request); err != nil {
+		var block types.Block
+		if err := msg.Decode(&block); err != nil {
 			return errResp(ErrDecode, "%v: %v", msg, err)
 		}
-		request.Block.ReceivedAt = msg.ReceivedAt
-		request.Block.ReceivedFrom = p
+		block.ReceivedAt = msg.ReceivedAt
+		block.ReceivedFrom = p
 
 		// Mark the peer as owning the block and schedule it for import
-		p.MarkBlock(request.Block.Hash())
-		pm.fetcher.Enqueue(p.id, request.Block)
+		p.MarkBlock(block.Hash())
+		pm.fetcher.Enqueue(p.id, &block)
 
 		// Assuming the block is importable by the peer, but possibly not yet done so,
-		// calculate the head hash and TD that the peer truly must have.
+		// calculate the head hash and number that the peer truly must have.
 		var (
-			trueHead = request.Block.ParentHash()
-			trueTD   = new(big.Int).Sub(request.TD, request.Block.Difficulty())
+			trueHead   = block.ParentHash()
+			trueNumber = block.NumberU64() - 1
 		)
-		// Update the peers total difficulty if better than the previous
-		if _, td := p.Head(); trueTD.Cmp(td) > 0 {
-			p.SetHead(trueHead, trueTD)
+		// Update the peers number if better than the previous
+		if _, number := p.Head(); trueNumber > number {
+			p.SetHead(trueHead, trueNumber)
 
 			// Schedule a sync if above ours. Note, this will not fire a sync for a gap of
-			// a singe block (as the true TD is below the propagated block), however this
+			// a singe block (as the true number is below the propagated block), however this
 			// scenario should easily be covered by the fetcher.
 			currentBlock := pm.blockchain.CurrentBlock()
-			if trueTD.Cmp(pm.blockchain.GetTd(currentBlock.Hash(), currentBlock.NumberU64())) > 0 {
+			if trueNumber > currentBlock.NumberU64() {
 				go pm.synchronise(p)
 			}
 		}
@@ -922,18 +920,14 @@ func (pm *ProtocolManager) BroadcastBlock(block *types.Block, propagate bool) {
 
 	// If propagation is requested, send to a subset of the peer
 	if propagate {
-		// Calculate the TD of the block (it's not imported yet, so block.Td is not valid)
-		var td *big.Int
-		if parent := pm.blockchain.GetBlock(block.ParentHash(), block.NumberU64()-1); parent != nil {
-			td = new(big.Int).Add(block.Difficulty(), pm.blockchain.GetTd(block.ParentHash(), block.NumberU64()-1))
-		} else {
+		if parent := pm.blockchain.GetBlock(block.ParentHash(), block.NumberU64()-1); parent == nil {
 			log.Error("Propagating dangling block", "number", block.Number(), "hash", hash)
 			return
 		}
 		// Send the block to a subset of our peers
 		transfer := peers[:int(math.Sqrt(float64(len(peers))))]
 		for _, peer := range transfer {
-			peer.AsyncSendNewBlock(block, td)
+			peer.AsyncSendNewBlock(block)
 		}
 		log.Trace("Propagated block", "hash", hash, "recipients", len(transfer), "duration", common.PrettyDuration(time.Since(block.ReceivedAt)))
 		return
@@ -1206,21 +1200,21 @@ func (pm *ProtocolManager) peerSetLoop() {
 // NodeInfo represents a short summary of the Ethereum sub-protocol metadata
 // known about the host peer.
 type NodeInfo struct {
-	Network    uint64              `json:"network"`    // DEXON network ID (237=Mainnet, 238=Taiwan, 239=Taipei)
-	Difficulty *big.Int            `json:"difficulty"` // Total difficulty of the host's blockchain
-	Genesis    common.Hash         `json:"genesis"`    // SHA3 hash of the host's genesis block
-	Config     *params.ChainConfig `json:"config"`     // Chain configuration for the fork rules
-	Head       common.Hash         `json:"head"`       // SHA3 hash of the host's best owned block
+	Network uint64              `json:"network"` // DEXON network ID (237=Mainnet, 238=Taiwan, 239=Taipei)
+	Number  uint64              `json:"number"`  // Total difficulty of the host's blockchain
+	Genesis common.Hash         `json:"genesis"` // SHA3 hash of the host's genesis block
+	Config  *params.ChainConfig `json:"config"`  // Chain configuration for the fork rules
+	Head    common.Hash         `json:"head"`    // SHA3 hash of the host's best owned block
 }
 
 // NodeInfo retrieves some protocol metadata about the running host node.
 func (pm *ProtocolManager) NodeInfo() *NodeInfo {
 	currentBlock := pm.blockchain.CurrentBlock()
 	return &NodeInfo{
-		Network:    pm.networkID,
-		Difficulty: pm.blockchain.GetTd(currentBlock.Hash(), currentBlock.NumberU64()),
-		Genesis:    pm.blockchain.Genesis().Hash(),
-		Config:     pm.blockchain.Config(),
-		Head:       currentBlock.Hash(),
+		Network: pm.networkID,
+		Number:  currentBlock.NumberU64(),
+		Genesis: pm.blockchain.Genesis().Hash(),
+		Config:  pm.blockchain.Config(),
+		Head:    currentBlock.Hash(),
 	}
 }
diff --git a/dex/helper_test.go b/dex/helper_test.go
index abe0f6b89..62dd6c5f4 100644
--- a/dex/helper_test.go
+++ b/dex/helper_test.go
@@ -264,20 +264,20 @@ func newTestPeer(name string, version int, pm *ProtocolManager, shake bool) (*te
 		var (
 			genesis = pm.blockchain.Genesis()
 			head    = pm.blockchain.CurrentHeader()
-			td      = pm.blockchain.GetTd(head.Hash(), head.Number.Uint64())
+			number  = head.Number.Uint64()
 		)
-		tp.handshake(nil, td, head.Hash(), genesis.Hash())
+		tp.handshake(nil, number, head.Hash(), genesis.Hash())
 	}
 	return tp, errc
 }
 
 // handshake simulates a trivial handshake that expects the same state from the
 // remote side as we are simulating locally.
-func (p *testPeer) handshake(t *testing.T, td *big.Int, head common.Hash, genesis common.Hash) {
+func (p *testPeer) handshake(t *testing.T, number uint64, head common.Hash, genesis common.Hash) {
 	msg := &statusData{
 		ProtocolVersion: uint32(p.version),
 		NetworkId:       DefaultConfig.NetworkId,
-		TD:              td,
+		Number:          number,
 		CurrentBlock:    head,
 		GenesisBlock:    genesis,
 	}
diff --git a/dex/peer.go b/dex/peer.go
index f60145f0d..49a9b64f8 100644
--- a/dex/peer.go
+++ b/dex/peer.go
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ import (
 	"encoding/hex"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"math/big"
 	"net"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
@@ -110,15 +109,9 @@ const (
 // PeerInfo represents a short summary of the Ethereum sub-protocol metadata known
 // about a connected peer.
 type PeerInfo struct {
-	Version    int      `json:"version"`    // Ethereum protocol version negotiated
-	Difficulty *big.Int `json:"difficulty"` // Total difficulty of the peer's blockchain
-	Head       string   `json:"head"`       // SHA3 hash of the peer's best owned block
-}
-
-// propEvent is a block propagation, waiting for its turn in the broadcast queue.
-type propEvent struct {
-	block *types.Block
-	td    *big.Int
+	Version int    `json:"version"` // Ethereum protocol version negotiated
+	Number  uint64 `json:"number"`  // Number the peer's blockchain
+	Head    string `json:"head"`    // SHA3 hash of the peer's best owned block
 }
 
 type setType uint32
@@ -142,9 +135,9 @@ type peer struct {
 
 	version int // Protocol version negotiated
 
-	head common.Hash
-	td   *big.Int
-	lock sync.RWMutex
+	head   common.Hash
+	number uint64
+	lock   sync.RWMutex
 
 	knownTxs                   mapset.Set // Set of transaction hashes known to be known by this peer
 	knownMetas                 mapset.Set // Set of node metas known to be known by this peer
@@ -157,7 +150,7 @@ type peer struct {
 	knownDKGPartialSignatures  mapset.Set
 	queuedTxs                  chan []*types.Transaction // Queue of transactions to broadcast to the peer
 	queuedMetas                chan []*NodeMeta          // Queue of node metas to broadcast to the peer
-	queuedProps                chan *propEvent           // Queue of blocks to broadcast to the peer
+	queuedProps                chan *types.Block         // Queue of blocks to broadcast to the peer
 	queuedAnns                 chan *types.Block         // Queue of blocks to announce to the peer
 	queuedLatticeBlocks        chan *coreTypes.Block
 	queuedVotes                chan *coreTypes.Vote
@@ -187,7 +180,7 @@ func newPeer(version int, p *p2p.Peer, rw p2p.MsgReadWriter) *peer {
 		knownDKGPartialSignatures:  mapset.NewSet(),
 		queuedTxs:                  make(chan []*types.Transaction, maxQueuedTxs),
 		queuedMetas:                make(chan []*NodeMeta, maxQueuedMetas),
-		queuedProps:                make(chan *propEvent, maxQueuedProps),
+		queuedProps:                make(chan *types.Block, maxQueuedProps),
 		queuedAnns:                 make(chan *types.Block, maxQueuedAnns),
 		queuedLatticeBlocks:        make(chan *coreTypes.Block, maxQueuedLatticeBlocks),
 		queuedVotes:                make(chan *coreTypes.Vote, maxQueuedVotes),
@@ -213,11 +206,11 @@ func (p *peer) broadcast() {
 			}
 			p.Log().Trace("Broadcast node metas", "count", len(metas))
 
-		case prop := <-p.queuedProps:
-			if err := p.SendNewBlock(prop.block, prop.td); err != nil {
+		case block := <-p.queuedProps:
+			if err := p.SendNewBlock(block); err != nil {
 				return
 			}
-			p.Log().Trace("Propagated block", "number", prop.block.Number(), "hash", prop.block.Hash(), "td", prop.td)
+			p.Log().Trace("Propagated block", "number", block.Number(), "hash", block.Hash())
 
 		case block := <-p.queuedAnns:
 			if err := p.SendNewBlockHashes([]common.Hash{block.Hash()}, []uint64{block.NumberU64()}); err != nil {
@@ -286,32 +279,32 @@ func (p *peer) close() {
 
 // Info gathers and returns a collection of metadata known about a peer.
 func (p *peer) Info() *PeerInfo {
-	hash, td := p.Head()
+	hash, number := p.Head()
 
 	return &PeerInfo{
-		Version:    p.version,
-		Difficulty: td,
-		Head:       hash.Hex(),
+		Version: p.version,
+		Number:  number,
+		Head:    hash.Hex(),
 	}
 }
 
-// Head retrieves a copy of the current head hash and total difficulty of the
+// Head retrieves a copy of the current head hash and number of the
 // peer.
-func (p *peer) Head() (hash common.Hash, td *big.Int) {
+func (p *peer) Head() (hash common.Hash, number uint64) {
 	p.lock.RLock()
 	defer p.lock.RUnlock()
 
 	copy(hash[:], p.head[:])
-	return hash, new(big.Int).Set(p.td)
+	return hash, p.number
 }
 
-// SetHead updates the head hash and total difficulty of the peer.
-func (p *peer) SetHead(hash common.Hash, td *big.Int) {
+// SetHead updates the head hash and number of the peer.
+func (p *peer) SetHead(hash common.Hash, number uint64) {
 	p.lock.Lock()
 	defer p.lock.Unlock()
 
 	copy(p.head[:], hash[:])
-	p.td.Set(td)
+	p.number = number
 }
 
 // MarkBlock marks a block as known for the peer, ensuring that the block will
@@ -413,16 +406,16 @@ func (p *peer) AsyncSendNewBlockHash(block *types.Block) {
 }
 
 // SendNewBlock propagates an entire block to a remote peer.
-func (p *peer) SendNewBlock(block *types.Block, td *big.Int) error {
+func (p *peer) SendNewBlock(block *types.Block) error {
 	p.knownBlocks.Add(block.Hash())
-	return p2p.Send(p.rw, NewBlockMsg, []interface{}{block, td})
+	return p2p.Send(p.rw, NewBlockMsg, block)
 }
 
 // AsyncSendNewBlock queues an entire block for propagation to a remote peer. If
 // the peer's broadcast queue is full, the event is silently dropped.
-func (p *peer) AsyncSendNewBlock(block *types.Block, td *big.Int) {
+func (p *peer) AsyncSendNewBlock(block *types.Block) {
 	select {
-	case p.queuedProps <- &propEvent{block: block, td: td}:
+	case p.queuedProps <- block:
 		p.knownBlocks.Add(block.Hash())
 	default:
 		p.Log().Debug("Dropping block propagation", "number", block.NumberU64(), "hash", block.Hash())
@@ -617,7 +610,7 @@ func (p *peer) RequestReceipts(hashes []common.Hash) error {
 
 // Handshake executes the eth protocol handshake, negotiating version number,
 // network IDs, difficulties, head and genesis blocks.
-func (p *peer) Handshake(network uint64, td *big.Int, head common.Hash, genesis common.Hash) error {
+func (p *peer) Handshake(network uint64, number uint64, head common.Hash, genesis common.Hash) error {
 	// Send out own handshake in a new thread
 	errc := make(chan error, 2)
 	var status statusData // safe to read after two values have been received from errc
@@ -626,7 +619,7 @@ func (p *peer) Handshake(network uint64, td *big.Int, head common.Hash, genesis
 		errc <- p2p.Send(p.rw, StatusMsg, &statusData{
 			ProtocolVersion: uint32(p.version),
 			NetworkId:       network,
-			TD:              td,
+			Number:          number,
 			CurrentBlock:    head,
 			GenesisBlock:    genesis,
 		})
@@ -646,7 +639,7 @@ func (p *peer) Handshake(network uint64, td *big.Int, head common.Hash, genesis
 			return p2p.DiscReadTimeout
 		}
 	}
-	p.td, p.head = status.TD, status.CurrentBlock
+	p.number, p.head = status.Number, status.CurrentBlock
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -906,12 +899,12 @@ func (ps *peerSet) BestPeer() *peer {
 	defer ps.lock.RUnlock()
 
 	var (
-		bestPeer *peer
-		bestTd   *big.Int
+		bestPeer   *peer
+		bestNumber uint64
 	)
 	for _, p := range ps.peers {
-		if _, td := p.Head(); bestPeer == nil || td.Cmp(bestTd) > 0 {
-			bestPeer, bestTd = p, td
+		if _, number := p.Head(); bestPeer == nil || number > bestNumber {
+			bestPeer, bestNumber = p, number
 		}
 	}
 	return bestPeer
diff --git a/dex/protocol.go b/dex/protocol.go
index 1fe87070a..aec434b87 100644
--- a/dex/protocol.go
+++ b/dex/protocol.go
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ import (
 	"crypto/ecdsa"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
-	"math/big"
 
 	"github.com/dexon-foundation/dexon/common"
 	"github.com/dexon-foundation/dexon/core"
@@ -172,7 +171,7 @@ type p2pServer interface {
 type statusData struct {
 	ProtocolVersion uint32
 	NetworkId       uint64
-	TD              *big.Int
+	Number          uint64
 	CurrentBlock    common.Hash
 	GenesisBlock    common.Hash
 }
@@ -232,7 +231,6 @@ func (hn *hashOrNumber) DecodeRLP(s *rlp.Stream) error {
 // newBlockData is the network packet for the block propagation message.
 type newBlockData struct {
 	Block *types.Block
-	TD    *big.Int
 }
 
 // blockBody represents the data content of a single block.
diff --git a/dex/protocol_test.go b/dex/protocol_test.go
index 1b380cac7..686ba372f 100644
--- a/dex/protocol_test.go
+++ b/dex/protocol_test.go
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func testStatusMsgErrors(t *testing.T, protocol int) {
 	var (
 		genesis = pm.blockchain.Genesis()
 		head    = pm.blockchain.CurrentHeader()
-		td      = pm.blockchain.GetTd(head.Hash(), head.Number.Uint64())
+		number  = head.Number.Uint64()
 	)
 	defer pm.Stop()
 
@@ -68,15 +68,15 @@ func testStatusMsgErrors(t *testing.T, protocol int) {
 			wantError: errResp(ErrNoStatusMsg, "first msg has code 2 (!= 0)"),
 		},
 		{
-			code: StatusMsg, data: statusData{10, DefaultConfig.NetworkId, td, head.Hash(), genesis.Hash()},
+			code: StatusMsg, data: statusData{10, DefaultConfig.NetworkId, number, head.Hash(), genesis.Hash()},
 			wantError: errResp(ErrProtocolVersionMismatch, "10 (!= %d)", protocol),
 		},
 		{
-			code: StatusMsg, data: statusData{uint32(protocol), 999, td, head.Hash(), genesis.Hash()},
+			code: StatusMsg, data: statusData{uint32(protocol), 999, number, head.Hash(), genesis.Hash()},
 			wantError: errResp(ErrNetworkIdMismatch, "999 (!= 237)"),
 		},
 		{
-			code: StatusMsg, data: statusData{uint32(protocol), DefaultConfig.NetworkId, td, head.Hash(), common.Hash{3}},
+			code: StatusMsg, data: statusData{uint32(protocol), DefaultConfig.NetworkId, number, head.Hash(), common.Hash{3}},
 			wantError: errResp(ErrGenesisBlockMismatch, "0300000000000000 (!= %x)", genesis.Hash().Bytes()[:8]),
 		},
 	}
diff --git a/dex/sync.go b/dex/sync.go
index b6a8035d4..43f1291ff 100644
--- a/dex/sync.go
+++ b/dex/sync.go
@@ -257,12 +257,13 @@ func (pm *ProtocolManager) synchronise(peer *peer) {
 	if peer == nil {
 		return
 	}
-	// Make sure the peer's TD is higher than our own
+	// Make sure the peer's number is higher than our own
 	currentBlock := pm.blockchain.CurrentBlock()
-	td := pm.blockchain.GetTd(currentBlock.Hash(), currentBlock.NumberU64())
+	number := currentBlock.NumberU64()
 
-	pHead, pTd := peer.Head()
-	if pTd.Cmp(td) <= 0 {
+	pHead, pNumber := peer.Head()
+
+	if pNumber <= number {
 		return
 	}
 	// Otherwise try to sync with the downloader
@@ -282,13 +283,13 @@ func (pm *ProtocolManager) synchronise(peer *peer) {
 
 	if mode == downloader.FastSync {
 		// Make sure the peer's total difficulty we are synchronizing is higher.
-		if pm.blockchain.GetTdByHash(pm.blockchain.CurrentFastBlock().Hash()).Cmp(pTd) >= 0 {
+		if pm.blockchain.CurrentFastBlock().NumberU64() >= pNumber {
 			return
 		}
 	}
 
 	// Run the sync cycle, and disable fast sync if we've went past the pivot block
-	if err := pm.downloader.Synchronise(peer.id, pHead, pTd, mode); err != nil {
+	if err := pm.downloader.Synchronise(peer.id, pHead, pNumber, mode); err != nil {
 		return
 	}
 	if atomic.LoadUint32(&pm.fastSync) == 1 {
@@ -302,7 +303,7 @@ func (pm *ProtocolManager) synchronise(peer *peer) {
 		// all its out-of-date peers of the availability of a new block. This failure
 		// scenario will most often crop up in private and hackathon networks with
 		// degenerate connectivity, but it should be healthy for the mainnet too to
-		// more reliably update peers or the local TD state.
+		// more reliably update peers or the local number state.
 		go pm.BroadcastBlock(head, false)
 	}
 }