1606 node clients replaces merge

docs/private-networks/how-to/configure/consensus/clique.md

@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ The `extraData` property consists of:
 
 ### Post-Merge configuration
 
-After [The Merge](../../../../public-networks/concepts/the-merge.md), the following block fields are modified or deprecated. Their fields **must** contain only the constant values from the following chart.
+After [The Merge](https://ethereum.org/en/upgrades/merge/), the following block fields are modified or deprecated. Their fields **must** contain only the constant values from the following chart.
 
 | Field            | Constant value                                                       | Comment                    |
 |------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|

docs/private-networks/how-to/configure/consensus/ibft.md

@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ Optional configuration options in the genesis file are:
 
 ### Post-Merge configuration
 
-After [The Merge](../../../../public-networks/concepts/the-merge.md), the following block fields are modified or deprecated. Their fields **must** contain only the constant values from the following chart.
+After [The Merge](https://ethereum.org/en/upgrades/merge/), the following block fields are modified or deprecated. Their fields **must** contain only the constant values from the following chart.
 
 | Field            | Constant value                                                       | Comment                    |
 |------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|

docs/private-networks/how-to/configure/consensus/qbft.md

@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ Optional configuration options in the genesis file are:
 
 ### Post-Merge configuration
 
-After [The Merge](../../../../public-networks/concepts/the-merge.md), the following block fields are modified or deprecated. Their fields **must** contain only the constant values from the following chart.
+After [The Merge](https://ethereum.org/en/upgrades/merge/), the following block fields are modified or deprecated. Their fields **must** contain only the constant values from the following chart.
 
 | Field            | Constant value                                                       | Comment                    |
 |------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|

docs/public-networks/concepts/node-clients.md

@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+---
+title: Node clients
+sidebar_position: 1
+description: Learn about execution and consensus clients.
+tags:
+  - public networks
+---
+
+# Node clients
+
+Ethereum's Proof of Stake (PoS) protocol leverages two separate P2P networks supporting 
+separate clients. Execution clients gossip transactions over their network, enabling them to manage 
+their local transaction pool. Consensus clients gossip blocks over their network, enabling consensus 
+and chain growth. A validator node also runs the [validator client](#validator-clients).
+
+:::info
+As as result of [the 2022 Merge](https://ethereum.org/en/upgrades/merge/), Ethereum Mainnet 
+transitioned from Proof of Work (PoW) to [PoS](proof-of-stake/index.md) consensus.
+:::
+
+## Execution and consensus clients
+
+Under PoS, a full Ethereum Mainnet node is a combination of an execution client (previously called 
+an [Eth1 client](https://blog.ethereum.org/2022/01/24/the-great-eth2-renaming/) client) and a 
+consensus client (previously called an 
+[Eth2 client](https://blog.ethereum.org/2022/01/24/the-great-eth2-renaming/)). The consensus client 
+uses the [Engine API](../how-to/use-engine-api.md) to communicate with the execution client.
+
+![Ethereum Merge node](../../assets/images/Execution-Consensus-Clients-EngineAPI.png)
+
+### Execution clients
+
+Execution clients, such as Besu, manage the execution layer, including executing transactions and 
+updating the world state. Execution clients serve [JSON-RPC API](../reference/engine-api/index.md) 
+requests and communicate with each other P2P.
+
+Besu is an execution client that you can run with:
+
+- [Any consensus client on Mainnet](../get-started/connect/mainnet.md).
+- [Any consensus client on a testnet](../get-started/connect/testnet.md).
+- [Teku on Mainnet](../tutorials/besu-teku-mainnet.md).
+- [Teku on a testnet](../tutorials/besu-teku-testnet.md).
+
+### Consensus clients
+
+The consensus client (also known as the beacon node, CL client or, formerly, the Eth2 client) 
+implements the PoS consensus algorithm, which enables the network to achieve agreement based on 
+validated data from the execution client. Consensus clients serve 
+[REST API](https://docs.teku.consensys.net/reference/rest) requests and
+communicate with each other P2P.
+
+Consensus clients, such as [Teku](https://docs.teku.consensys.net/en/latest/) contain beacon node 
+implementations. The beacon node is the primary link to the [Beacon Chain] (i.e. the consensus layer). 
+A consensus client can run without the (bundled) validator to keep up with the head of the chain, 
+allowing the node to stay synced.
+
+#### Validator clients
+
+To operate a validator node, node operators must also run a validator client and deposit the 
+[required ETH](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/consensus-mechanisms/pos/#validators) into the 
+deposit contract. The validator client handles attestations and block proposal — i.e. performs 
+[validator duties](proof-of-stake/index.md) on the consensus layer. 
+The validator client may either be run 
+[in the same process](https://docs.teku.consensys.net/get-started/start-teku#start-the-clients-in-a-single-process) 
+as the beacon node or [separately](https://docs.teku.consensys.net/get-started/start-teku#run-the-clients-separately).
+
+Validators earn [rewards](https://www.blocknative.com/ethereum-staking-calculator) for performing
+ [validator duties](proof-of-stake/index.md), and 
+ [fee recipients](https://docs.teku.consensys.net/reference/cli#validators-proposer-default-fee-recipient) 
+ also earn rewards for the inclusion of execution layer transactions.
+
+<!-- links -->
+
+[Beacon Chain]: https://ethereum.org/en/upgrades/beacon-chain/
+[Teku]: https://docs.teku.consensys.net/en/stable/
+[Run a node]: https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/run-a-node/

docs/public-networks/concepts/proof-of-stake/index.md

@@ -6,20 +6,20 @@ tags:
 
 # Proof of stake consensus
 
-[The Merge](../the-merge.md) transitioned Ethereum Mainnet to [proof of stake
+[The Merge](https://ethereum.org/en/upgrades/merge/) transitioned Ethereum Mainnet to [Proof of Stake
 (PoS)](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/consensus-mechanisms/pos/) consensus.
 
-In Ethereum's PoS, you must run a [full node](../the-merge.md#execution-and-consensus-clients) and
+Under Ethereum's PoS, you must run a [full node](../node-clients.md#execution-and-consensus-clients) and
 [stake 32 ETH](https://ethereum.org/en/staking/) to become a validator.
 
 :::note
-You must run a beacon node and an execution client to operate a full node on Mainnet.
+To operate a full node on Mainnet, you must run a beacon node, i.e. a consensus client and an execution client.
 To become a validator, you must also run a validator client (either [in the same process as the
 beacon node](https://docs.teku.consensys.net/get-started/start-teku#start-the-clients-in-a-single-process)
 or [separately](https://docs.teku.consensys.net/get-started/start-teku#run-the-clients-separately)).
 :::
 
-PoS is preferred over proof of work and proof of authority as a consensus mechanism because it is
+PoS is preferred over Proof of Work and Proof of Authority as a consensus mechanism because it is
 more secure, requires less energy, and lowers the barrier to entry.
 
 The PoS mechanism randomly chooses validators to propose or validate blocks on the [Beacon
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ Validators also receive transaction fees for included blocks.
 
 Each consensus block contains an execution payload, which contains a list of transactions and other data required to execute and validate the payload.
 
-When a node validates a consensus block, its [consensus client](../the-merge.md#consensus-clients) processes the block and sends the execution payload to the [execution client](../the-merge.md#execution-clients), which:
+When a node validates a consensus block, its [consensus client](../node-clients.md#consensus-clients) processes the block and sends the execution payload to the [execution client](../node-clients.md#execution-clients), which:
 
 1. Assembles a block on the execution layer.
 2. Verifies pre-conditions.
@@ -44,4 +44,4 @@ When a node validates a consensus block, its [consensus client](../the-merge.md#
 
 If the block is valid, the execution client includes it in the execution chain and stores the new state in execution state storage.
 
-If a consensus block receives attestations backed by enough staked ETH, the block is included in the Beacon Chain.
+If a consensus block receives attestations backed by enough staked ETH, the block is included in the Beacon Chain. In the case of competing chains, the chain with the highest number of validator votes is selected.

docs/public-networks/get-started/connect/mainnet.md

@@ -13,11 +13,11 @@ import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';
 
 :::info
 
-[The Merge](../../concepts/the-merge.md) was executed on **September 15, 2022**. Ethereum is now a [proof of stake](../../concepts/proof-of-stake/index.md) network, and a full Ethereum node requires both [an execution client and a consensus client](../../concepts/the-merge.md#execution-and-consensus-clients).
+As a [Proof of Stake network](../../concepts/proof-of-stake/index.md), running a full Ethereum node requires both [an execution client and a consensus client](../../concepts/node-clients.md#execution-and-consensus-clients).
 
 :::
 
-Run Besu as an [execution client](../../concepts/the-merge.md#execution-clients) with any consensus client on Ethereum Mainnet.
+Run Besu as an [execution client](../../concepts/node-clients.md#execution-clients) with any [consensus client](../../concepts/node-clients.md#consensus-clients) on Ethereum Mainnet.
 
 If you're using [Teku] as a consensus client, you can follow the [Besu and Teku Mainnet tutorial](../../tutorials/besu-teku-mainnet.md).