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choosing-a-network.md

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A detailed guide to choosing a Network from Layer 1s to Layer 2s, and Mainntet to testnets.

🌐 Choosing a Network

Layer 1 vs. Layer 2

Alchemy currently supports the Ethereum Layer 1 chain and the Arbitrum Layer 2 chain. Arbitrum is a separate chain built on top of Ethereum as a smart contract that supports faster transaction times, higher throughput, lower gas costs, and many more benefits. Activity and transactions are ultimately relayed to the Layer 1 chain from Arbitrum through optimistic rollups.

Mainnet vs. Testnet

Every blockchain (including both Layer 1s and Layer 2s) has a mainnet. The mainnet is the blockchain that actually carries out real-world transactions and events for the public. This is different from a testnet, which is used to test out those transactions and events before putting them into production.

Ethereum Testnets

There are four different types of testnets that Alchemy supports.

****Rinkeby****

Rinkeby is a proof-of-authority blockchain that uses the Clique PoA consensus protocol, and is only supported by Geth. This testnet is immune to spam attacks since the Ether supply is controlled by trusted parties and has to be requested from a faucet, not mined.

Note: Rinkeby doesn't fully reproduce the current production environment since it uses PoA.

Check out more info about Rinkeby on the website.

****Goerli****

Goerli is a proof-of-authority blockchain, supported by multiple clients. This testnet has the goal of being both widely usable across all client implementations supporting Clique Proof of Authority (PoA) engine and robust enough to guarantee consistent availability and high reliability.

Check out more info about Goerli on the GitHub.

****Kovan****

Kovan is a proof-of-authority blockchain, started by the Parity team and supported by Parity only. Ether can’t be mined; it has to be requested from the faucet. This testnet is known for being immune to spam attacks.

Note: Kovan doesn't fully reproduce the current production environment since it uses PoA.

Check out more info about Kovan on the GitHub.

Ropsten****

Ropsten is a proof-of-work blockchain that most closely resembles the current Ethereum production environment, it is supported by Geth and Parity.

Note: Ropsten is not immune to spam attacks so it is less stable.

You can easily mine faux-Ether or request it from a faucet:

Check out more info about Ropsten on the GitHub.

Arbitrum Testnet

Mainnet

Arbitrum currently has one testnet on connected to Ethereum's Kovan testnet (described above). This operates exactly the same as Arbitrum mainnet but is built as a smart contract on Kovan instead of on Ethtereum mainnet. It is currently under development and will be released shortly.

Kovan

Arbitrum currently has one testnet on connected to Ethereum's Kovan testnet (described above). This operates exactly the same as Arbitrum mainnet but is built as a smart contract on Kovan instead of on Ethtereum mainnet. It is currently under development and will be released shortly.