This question means: Is there a single Ethereum network (“the” network) or an infinite number of networks? Well, both are correct.
There is, indeed, “the” Ethereum Network, public czech republic mobile mobile database decentralized, not controlled by anyone in particular. This main Ethereum network (also known as “mainnet”) is the one we normally talk about when we say “Ethereum Network”.
There is also a “sister” network to the mainnet called testnet , where testing can be conducted without committing real resources. There is also a fork of the Ethereum network known as Ethereum Classic , but that is another story .
While in a traditional cloud platform, where you “own” the nodes (control and trust) where your applications run, in a public blockchain the opposite is true: it is entirely made up of participants that you do not trust, but who build consensus in a trustworthy manner (hence the “miracle” of blockchain). The meaning of a blockchain being public is this: anyone can read, transact and participate in the search for consensus (all they need to do is use a Wallet , for example ) – its value lies in decentralization.