@@ -0,0 +1,154 @@
1++++
2+title = "Layer 2 FAQ"
3+date = "2022-03-01"
4+description = "Wondering if you need ETH to boot your planet? Curious about the cost reduction? Answers to all your lingering L2 questions ahead."
5+[extra]
6+image = "/images/l2-faq-artwork.jpg"
7++++
8+
9+The launch of our [Layer 2](https://urbit.org/blog/layer-2-guides) was met with
10+a lot of excitement and a few questions. Don’t fret, we have answers. Below is a
11+selection of the most frequently asked questions and our responses.
12+
13+If you're still stumped, head to `~bitbet-bolbel/urbit-community` or give us a
14+shout online.
15+
16+---
17+
18+### Looking for a particular topic? Here’s an overview:
19+
20+#### Planet Booting, Buying, Custody
21+
22+1. [Do I need ETH to boot my planet?](#q-do-i-need-eth-to-boot-my-planet)
23+2. [Do I have full custody of my L2 planet?](#q-is-there-anything-i-need-to-do-to-ensure-full-custody-of-my-planet)
24+3. [Where can I buy a planet?](#q-are-there-any-platforms-where-i-can-buy-a-planet-for-btc-or-usd)
25+4. [How do I get a hosted planet?](#q-how-do-i-get-a-cloud-hosted-planet)
26+
27+#### Layer 2 Architecture & Migration
28+
29+1. [Why did you decide to build your own Layer 2 rollup?](#q-there-are-plenty-of-organizations-dedicated-to-customizable-rollup-solutions-why-did-you-decide-to-build-your-own)
30+2. [Should I migrate my L1 planet to L2?](#q-if-i-currently-have-an-l1-planet-are-there-any-advantages-to-migrating)
31+3. [Where did the old Bridge go? Can I still use it?](#q-is-it-possible-to-use-the-old-bridge-for-l1-operations)
32+4. [Why is the cost reduction so significant?](#q-why-is-the-cost-reduction-so-significant)
33+5. [What exactly is the mechanism for the “naive” consensus?](#q-what-exactly-is-the-mechanism-for-the-naive-consensus)
34+
35+---
36+
37+#### Q: Do I need ETH to boot my planet?
38+
39+A: If you were invited to claim a L2 planet, you **do not** need ETH to claim
40+that Urbit ID. Anyone can get on Urbit without ETH or a crypto wallet via L2.
41+Inviting your mom to Urbit just got a lot easier.
42+
43+If you have a L1 planet, you **do** need ETH to claim that Urbit ID.
44+
45+Once you have claimed your Urbit ID and have recorded your master ticket,
46+you **do not** need ETH to boot Urbit. That Urbit ID is now yours, forever.
47+
48+Unsure whether you have been invited to claim a L2 or L1 planet? The quickest
49+way to identify a L2 planet is if you used the below flow to claim.
50+
51+
52+
53+For those with L1 planets, you can avoid future transaction fees by migrating
54+your L1 planet to L2. Read the migration instructions
55+[here](https://urbit.org/getting-started/layer-2-for-planets).
56+
57+#### Q: Is there anything I need to do to ensure full custody of my planet?
58+
59+A: If you were sent a direct link to claim an L2 planet (see above image), it’s
60+in your full custody by design. Bridge generates your master ticket, which you
61+downloaded during the claiming process.
62+
63+#### Q: Are there any platforms where I can buy a planet for BTC or USD?
64+
65+A: There are a few ways to procure a planet, including some platforms that offer
66+BTC and USD payment options.
67+
68+To purchase a L2 planet, we direct you to:
69+
70+- [Networked Subject](https://subject.network/buy/) for payment in BTC.
71+ Brought to you by `~sitful-hatred`.
72+- [planets.lanlyd.net](https://planets.lanlyd.net) and
73+ [tomdys.gumroad.com](https://tomdys.gumroad.com) for payment in USD.
74+
75+To purchase a L1 planet with ETH, there are a number of platforms dedicated
76+exclusively to Urbit ID. These include:
77+
78+- [urbit.live](https://urbit.live/buy)
79+- [urbitex.io](https://urbitex.io)
80+- [urbit.me](https://urbit.me)
81+
82+You can also acquire L1 Urbit IDs with ETH on [OpenSea](https://opensea.io/collection/urbit-id).
83+
84+Once you purchase a planet, the easiest way to manage your cryptographic asset
85+is through [Bridge](https://bridge.urbit.org/), which is our Urbit ID management
86+interface, wallet navigator, and governance portal.
87+
88+You can use Bridge to perform any desired
89+[Azimuth](https://urbit.org/docs/glossary/azimuth) interactions or download your
90+planet’s keyfile. As an alternative, [Metamask](https://metamask.io) is an
91+easy-to-use Ethereum wallet with a browser extension that integrates easily with
92+Bridge.
93+
94+#### Q: How do I get a cloud-hosted planet?
95+
96+A: There are a number of ways to host a planet in the cloud. Your options:
97+
98+- DIY:<br>
99+ The most cost-effective method is [setting it up
100+ yourself](https://urbit.org/using/running/hosting), though this route requires
101+ some system administration, and troubleshooting if any issues arise.
102+
103+- Via a Hosting Provider:<br>
104+ The more “headache-free” option is paying for a
105+ hosting provider to take care of all these processes for you, plus support. The
106+ following service providers offer hosting (some include a free planet):
107+ [Tlon](https://urbit.typeform.com/to/zQ9QOV3Z?typeform-source=tlon.io#source=tlon_io),
108+ [UrbitHost](https://urbithost.com/landing), [Get Urbit
109+ ID](https://www.geturbitid.com), [Escape Pod
110+ Store](https://www.escapepod.store), [Nodestead](https://www.nodestead.dev), and
111+ [ThirdEarth](https://third.earth/en/).
112+
113+#### Q: There are plenty of organizations dedicated to customizable rollup solutions. Why did you decide to build your own?
114+
115+A: Simply put, we designed and engineered our own rollup because we can’t depend
116+on the success or longevity of another organization. As they currently exist,
117+outsourced rollups are too immature and compromised in ways that undermine the
118+integrity of our technical principles. We also can’t restrict the aggregators to
119+a waitlist, another issue which might eventually be resolved, but one that we
120+can’t count on to be resolved soon.
121+
122+#### Q: If I currently have an L1 planet, are there any advantages to migrating?
123+
124+A: One of the most significant advantages to migrating is the reduced cost of
125+Azimuth-event related transactions. On L2, you can change sponsors or reset your
126+network keys for free with our roller. An important note: migration is currently
127+one-way. If you want to hold onto your L1 planet as a novelty, migration isn't
128+recommended.
129+
130+#### Q: Is it possible to use the old Bridge for L1 operations?
131+
132+A: The old version of Bridge will remain live, but unmaintained and eventually
133+decommissioned. You can access it at
134+[bridge-sunset.urbit.org](https://bridge-sunset.urbit.org). If you run into
135+something you can only do with the older version of Bridge,
136+[let us know on Github](https://github.com/urbit/bridge/issues/new?assignees=&labels=bridge&template=bridge-bug-report.md&title=).
137+
138+#### Q: Why is the cost reduction so significant?
139+
140+A: On L1, every operation is an Ethereum transaction, with logic and state, etc.
141+On L2 transactions, these operations are reduced and simplified into a
142+no-logic-involved Ethereum transaction. This is what makes L2 transactions
143+cost-efficient: multiple transactions happen simultaneously to share the cost of
144+just one L1 transaction.
145+
146+#### Q: What exactly is the mechanism for the “naive” consensus?
147+
148+A: Our engineering team has written extensively about the technical features of
149+our L2 rollup. To learn about its intricacies, we encourage you to read
150+`~datnut-pollen`’s comprehensive
151+[overview](https://urbit.org/blog/rollups#technical) and `~wicdev-wisryt`’s
152+original
153+[proposal](https://groups.google.com/a/urbit.org/g/dev/c/p6rP_WsxLS0/m/hQBX0modAwAJ?pli=1)
154+on the Urbit developer mailing list.