Network transition FAQ (#216)

* Network transition FAQ

* Line fix

* Fixing headings

* Fixes

* Update pages/en/network-transition-faq.mdx

Co-authored-by: Benoît Rouleau <[email protected]>

* More fixes

Co-authored-by: Benoît Rouleau <[email protected]>

Author: MichaelMacaulay

navigation/navigation.ts

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   {
     slug: 'billing',
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+  {
+    slug: 'network-transition-faq',
+  },
   {
     divider: true,
   },

pages/en/network-transition-faq.mdx

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+---
+title: Network Transition FAQ
+---
+
+Developers will have plenty of time to migrate their subgraphs to the decentralized network. Exact timelines will vary from chain to chain based on Indexer and network readiness-the hosted service will not end support for all chains at once and will not be sunset abruptly.
+
+Each chain on the hosted service, including Ethereum, will sunset gradually as it is supported on the decentralized network to achieve feature parity and a high quality of service. This will happen on a chain-to-chain basis with help from Indexers in the [MIPs program](https://thegraph.com/blog/mips-multi-chain-indexing-incentivized-program/), to enable full support for each chain on the decentralized network.
+
+To add more clarity around continued support for each chain on the hosted service, these FAQs answer common questions regarding the specifics of the network transition process. If you would like to start the subgraph migration process now, here is a [step-by-step guide](https://thegraph.com/blog/how-to-migrate-ethereum-subgraph). To skip to the migration FAQ, [click here](#migration-fa-qs-answers-to-common-questions).
+
+## Hosted Service Sunset FAQs
+
+### Will I have to migrate my subgraph before the decentralized network serves core functionalities for subgraphs?
+
+Subgraph developers can begin migrating their Ethereum mainnet subgraphs now, but will not be forced to migrate subgraphs to the network before feature core functionality exists for the decentralized network and hosted service. Migration of Gnosis Chain subgraphs will also begin soon, with other chains to follow once Indexers have tested the chains and are ready to index them in production.
+
+### What is the timeline and process for deprecating the hosted service?
+
+All chains will have their own timelines, depending on when they are enabled on the network and the timeline it takes to get through each phase. Core developers are working to migrate the majority of hosted service traffic to the decentralized network as soon as possible.
+
+Most importantly, you will not lose access to the hosted service before core functionality is available for your specific chain/subgraph on the decentralized network.
+
+The three distinct phases of hosted service deprecation for each chain are:
+
+#### Phase 1 (The Sunray): Disable new subgraph creation for blockchains that have quality parity on the network
+
+In this stage, developers will no longer be able to deploy new subgraphs to the hosted service for that chain. Developers will still be able to upgrade existing subgraphs on the hosted service.
+
+No chain has yet begun Phase 1 of transitioning from the hosted service to the decentralized network.
+
+As chains enter Phase 1, please note that developers can still use the rate limited Developer Preview URL in the Subgraph Studio to develop and test their subgraphs (up to 1,000 free queries) without acquiring GRT or interacting with protocol economics.
+
+#### Phase 2 (The Sunbeam): Disable subgraph upgrades
+
+In this phase, upgrades to subgraphs must be made through Subgraph Studio and subsequently published to the decentralized network. Hosted service subgraphs for chains in this phase will still exist and will be queryable, but upgrades to subgraphs must be made on The Graph's decentralized network.
+
+There are no exact timelines for when any chain will move to this phase, as the process is driven by exit criteria surrounding core functionality, not dates.
+
+#### Phase 3 (The Sunrise): Disable querying subgraphs
+
+At this phase, subgraphs on the hosted service for chains supported by The Graph Network will no longer process queries. The only way to query blockchain data for subgraphs on chains in this phase will be through the decentralized network. Test queries will still be available in [Subgraph Studio](https://thegraph.com/studio/) via the Development Query URL.
+
+Chains will not move to Phase 3 until successfully moving to Phase 2 and giving developers ample time to migrate to the decentralized network.
+
+![subgraph chart](/img/subgraph-chart.png)
+
+> Note: This diagram reflects the per-chain sunsetting process. Hosted service sunsetting times will vary and will not sunset all at once.
+
+### What happens to test chains like Goerli, Mumbai, etc?
+
+All chains and test-chains are eligible for a free Deployment Query URL in the [Subgraph Studio](https://thegraph.com/studio/). This URL is rate limited and intended for test and development traffic. Production traffic will require a subgraph published to The Graph Network in order to have production grade redundancy and stability.
+
+![Rate limit](/img/rate-limit.png)
+
+### Does The Graph Network have the same functionalities as the hosted service?
+
+Indexers on The Graph Network run the most recent network-approved [release of Graph Node](https://github.com/graphprotocol/graph-node/releases), and can support any subgraph features supported in that release.
+
+Sometimes unreleased features which are still under development might be available first on the Developer Preview URL, which runs the latest main commit of [Graph Node](https://github.com/graphprotocol/graph-node). These features will then become available on the network with the next Graph Node release.
+
+Certain subgraph features are not eligible for indexing rewards, if they are not deterministic or verifiable on the network. Specific examples are fetching files from IPFS, and indexing networks not yet supported on The Graph Network.
+
+Subgraphs with these features can be published to the network, but they may not be picked up by Indexers. However, subgraphs with sufficient signal may still attract Indexers interested in collecting query fees, which any subgraph is eligible for.
+
+### How much does The Graph Network cost in comparison to running my own infrastructure?
+
+The Graph's decentralized network is 60-90% less expensive than running dedicated infrastructure, as shown in [these case studies](https://thegraph.com/docs/en/network/benefits/#low-volume-user-less-than-30-000-queries-per-month).
+
+### Is there anything I should do with my hosted service subgraph after I migrate to the network?
+
+Hiding your hosted service subgraph is strongly recommended to avoid confusion. [This video](https://www.loom.com/share/7cffd2a7845e4fbd8c51f45c516cb7f9) walks through the process.
+
+### When will the decentralized network support my preferred chain?
+
+There is no set timeline per chain, they will be dictated by Indexer readiness via the [MIPs program](https://thegraph.com/migration-incentive-program/) where new chains are tested by Indexers. As new chains are supported on the network, users will receive ample notification to prepare for migration. Core devs and contributors to The Graph ecosystem are working to implement support for more chains as soon as possible.
+
+### Is Ethereum mainnet entering Phase 1 of the network transition process?
+
+While Ethereum was initially anticipated to begin transition off of the hosted service by the end of Q3 2022, this has been [postponed](https://thegraph.com/blog/transitioning-to-decentralized-graph-network) to address user feedback. Additional improvements to user experience, billing, and other fulfillments of user requests will drive Ethereum's hosted service transition timeline. Stay up to date on when Ethereum will enter The Sunray phase via the integration status tracker below and via [The Graph Twitter.](http://www.twitter.com/graphprotocol)
+
+### The Graph Network integration status tracker
+
+The table below illustrates where each chain is in the network integration process. If your preferred chain is not yet listed, integration has not yet begun, and that chain is still fully supported by The Graph's hosted service.
+
+| Chain / Network | Announcing integration on The Graph Network | Network Integration complete | Phase 1: no new subgraphs on hosted | Phase 2: disabled subgraph upgrades on hosted | Phase 3: disable subgraphs on hosted |
+| --- | :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: |
+| Ethereum | ✓ | ✓ |  |  |  |
+| Gnosis (formerly xDAI) | ✓ |  |  |  |  |
+
+\*This table will not include test chains, which remain free in [Subgraph Studio](https://thegraph.com/studio/).
+
+## Query Fees, API Keys, and Billing Questions
+
+### How are query fees priced?
+
+Query fee prices are impacted by query demand on the decentralized network. Core developers created a query pricing cost model language called [Agora](https://github.com/graphprotocol/agora). It enables Indexers to price queries efficiently. Learn more in the [Agora documentation](https://github.com/graphprotocol/agora/blob/master/docs/README.md).
+
+### How can I set a maximum query budget?
+
+Users can set a max query budget in the Subgraph Studio [API Key](https://thegraph.com/studio/apikeys/) section, under the Budget tab. [Watch this video](https://www.loom.com/share/b5fc533e48584cb694017392c80c75e0) for an overview of that process, as well as adjusting other parts of your API Key.
+
+Please note that setting your max query budget too low will exclude Indexers, potentially leading to poor quality service in the form of failed queries, slow queries, etc.
+
+As of the end of September 2022, it's best practice to stay within the $0.00035-$0.0004 range as the lowest max query budget.
+
+### How can I protect my API Key?
+
+Users are encouraged to restrict the API key by both subgraph and domain in the [Subgraph Studio](https://thegraph.com/studio/):
+
+![Restrict domain](/img/restrictdomain.png)
+
+### How do I fill up my API key to pay for query fees?
+
+You can fill up your billing balance in the Subgraph Studio [Billing Dashboard](https://thegraph.com/studio/billing/) by pressing the "Add GRT" button. There is ongoing work to improve this experience to add more seamless and recurring payments.
+
+[This video](https://www.loom.com/share/a81de6ef11d64c62872ea210c58c6af5) has an overview of that process.
+
+### How do I set alerts for low billing balances in my API key?
+
+Users should set a billing alert to their email address [here](https://thegraph.com/studio/settings/).
+
+Also, a banner will flash within a user's UI to warn when a billing balance is getting low.
+
+What are the best practices for managing my API key settings?
+
+A max query budget of $0.0004 is recommended to maintain low average query prices while maintaining high quality of service. This can be done in the budget billing tab of the [API Key section](https://thegraph.com/studio/apikeys/).
+
+## Migration FAQs: Answers to Common Questions
+
+### How can I migrate my subgraph to The Graph's decentralized network?
+
+Learn how to migrate your subgraph to The Graph Network with this simple [step-by-step guide](https://thegraph.com/blog/how-to-migrate-ethereum-subgraph) or [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syXwYEk-VnU&t=1s).
+
+### Are there migration grants for subgraphs that migrate early to The Graph Network?
+
+Yes. To apply for a grant, reach out [here](mailto:[email protected]).
+
+### Is there any financial/technical/marketing support through the migration process from The Graph ecosystem?
+
+There are migration grants for projects to use to curate subgraphs (to attract Indexers) and pay for initial query fees (apply [here](https://thegraph.typeform.com/to/Zz8UAPri?typeform-source=thegraph.com)), a [direct channel](http://thegraph.com/discord) to engineers to help every step of the way, and prioritized marketing campaigns to showcase your project after migration, exampled in these Twitter threads: [1](https://twitter.com/graphprotocol/status/1496891582401814537), [2](https://twitter.com/graphprotocol/status/1491926128302379008), & [3](https://twitter.com/graphprotocol/status/1491126245396201473).
+
+### How long do queries take?
+
+Queries take an average of 150-300 milliseconds on the decentralized network.
+
+### Is the billing process on The Graph Network more complex than on the hosted service?
+
+Yes, the UX for the network is not yet at quality parity with the hosted service. The billing UX, in particular, is still in very early stages and there are many moving parts that the core dev teams are working to abstract away from the process. Much of these improvements will be made public in the near future.
+
+### Can I pay for The Graph Network queries in fiat, credit card, or stablecoins?
+
+In the coming months, the number of steps that users need to take to pay for their subgraphs will be vastly reduced. While payments will still be made in GRT, efforts to implement a fiat on-ramp and automated payment systems to convert fiat and crypto into GRT to make recurring payments are already underway.
+
+### Will the network ever have the same UX as the hosted service?
+
+While there is still work to do, the aim is to offer comparable if not better quality UX on The Graph Network than currently exists on the hosted service. Short term, the aim is to offer a more streamlined and predictable billing experience that helps users focus more time building high-quality dapps.
+
+### How can I ensure that my subgraph will be picked up by Indexer on The Graph Network?
+
+It is recommended to curate with at least 10,000 GRT, which users can do in the same transaction as when they publish. Users can also ask the curation community to curate their subgraph [here](https://t.me/CurationStation).
+
+There are migration grants for the early migrants to cover these initial costs. Feel free to apply [here](mailto:[email protected]).
+
+### Why does a subgraph need curation signal? What if there isn't enough signal on my subgraph from curators?
+
+The higher the curation signal, the more attractive a subgraph is to Indexers, as there is a linear correlation between higher signal and higher indexing rewards. Without curation, there is no incentive for Indexers to pick up a subgraph.
+
+### What happens to the GRT a subgraph developer uses for curation signal?
+
+If you are the first to signal a subgraph, your GRT signaled amount will not go down. GRT used for curation can be removed later. Also, Curators get 10% of all query fees taken in by Indexers.
+
+### What improvements are coming to the curation process?
+
+Short term, the initial curation model on Arbitrum will provide principle-protection to curation signal. Longer term, the core devs will prioritize offering developers the capacity to rent curation signal, opening up a more predictable pricing experience while still ensuring subgraphs are sufficiently indexed.
+
+### How do I switch the subgraph API in the front-end?
+
+After at least one Indexer has fully indexed a subgraph, a user can query the decentralized network.
+
+In order to retrieve the query URL for your subgraph, you can copy/paste it by clicking on the symbol next to the query URL. You will see something like this:
+
+`https://gateway.thegraph.com/api/[api-key]/subgraphs/id/S9ihna8D733WTEShJ1KctSTCvY1VJ7gdVwhUujq4Ejo`
+
+Simply replace [api-key] with an API key generated in the Subgraph Studio [API Key section](https://thegraph.com/studio/apikeys/).
+
+### How much do queries cost?
+
+The average query cost within the network varies. For the month of September 2022, the average price per query fee cost ranged from $0.00012 - $0.00020.
+
+### How can I find out how much volume my subgraph has and how much it will cost?
+
+Hosted service volume data is not public. Please reach out to get volume and cost estimates [here](mailto:[email protected]).
+
+### How does the gateway work? Is it fully decentralized?
+
+The gateway process queries so Indexers can serve dapps. The gateways are in an intermediate phase that is being progressively decentralized. More on this soon.
+
+## Using The Network FAQs
+
+### Is there a cost to upgrade my subgraph?
+
+Yes, it is 1% of curation signaled. The 1% is split evenly between Curators (0.5%) and subgraph developers (0.5%). So, for every 10K GRT signaled, it costs subgraph developers 50 GRT to upgrade.
+
+### How do I speed up sync time?
+
+Minimize the use of smart contract calls within the subgraph. Accessing a smart contract state requires an eth_call to the RPC, which slows down sync times.
+
+### Is there multisig support in Subgraph Studio as I migrate?
+
+Yes, multisig support has recently been added. You can find more information [here](https://thegraph.com/docs/studio/multisig).
+
+### What are the contract addresses for GRT on Ethereum and Polygon?
+
+- Ethereum: `0xc944E90C64B2c07662A292be6244BDf05Cda44a7`
+- Polygon: `0x5fe2B58c013d7601147DcdD68C143A77499f5531`
+
+### How much GRT do projects usually keep in their API Key?
+
+Many projects keep 30-60 days worth of GRT in their API key, so they don't need to refill often. To understand what your 30-60 day GRT fees would be, please reach out [here](mailto:[email protected]).
+
+### How are query payments made on the decentralized network? 
+
+Fees are invoiced weekly and pulled out of a user's API Key, with GRT that is bridged to and sits on Polygon
+
+### How are API keys used for subgraphs on the decentralized network?
+
+API Keys empower users to have a say in both the max query prices they pay and to prioritize factors like price, economic freshness, and query speed.
+
+### What if my question isn't answered by these FAQs?
+
+Please reach out to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) for any additional assistance.
+
+### How does quality of service currently compare between the hosted service and the decentralized network?
+
+The hosted service and decentralized network have about the same median latency, but the decentralized network tends to have higher latency at higher percentiles. 200 rates for queries are generally similar, with both > 99.9%. As a result of its decentralization, the network has not had a broad outage across subgraphs, whereas the hosted service does on rare occasions have temporary outages as a result of its centralized nature.