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