Ethereum: Network

Ethereum networks with:

💧PUBLIC NETWORKS

Accessible to anyone in the world with an internet connection. They can read or create transactions on a public blockchain and validate the transactions being executed. Where:

👉Mainnet:

• Actual-value transactions occur on the distributed ledger.
• For exchanges ETH 

👉Testnets

• Like environment before deployment to Mainnet.
• Most testnets use a proof-of-authority consensus mechanism.
• Most people get testnet ETH from faucets. 

💧 PRIVATE NETWORKS

👉Development networks

• Can create a local blockchain instance to test your dapp. 
• Much faster iteration than a public testnet.

👉Consortium networks

• Participating must be equally involved in the consensus and the decision-making processes of the chain.