PlayStation Network

History of the PlayStation Network*
PlayStation Network is the online community service for PlayStation. Where people can play online, make friends, and buy games. It was launched on November 11, 2006. It was a follow up to an old feature on the PS2, sadly it was a huge failure due to some issues with servers, so it didn't make it far enough for PS2 to have online functionality to play with friends. There are still models with a network adapter, but you know. Luckily, they got it working for the PS3, and Sony launched PSN. PS Plus (optional) was released in June 2010, which give users more features.

The PSN Hack
On April 20, 2011, the hacking group named "Anonymous" decided to hack PSN, over 77 Million users on PSN was affected. The damage took a while. After all of it, Sony decided to reopen after it with a "Welcome Back" bundle, which members get a 30-day trial of PS Plus (60+ days included to PS Plus members.) & 2 games of there choosing (on the list), LittleBigPlanet & LittleBigPlanet PSP was included with Dead Nation, inFAMOUS, Super Stardust HD, Wipeout + Fury, ''ModNation Racers, Pursuit Force, & Killzone Liberation. PlayStation Home let users get 100 items. This event changed PSN forever.''

LittleBigPlanet Using
PSN gets used on LittleBigPlanet most of the time.

Before signing up, you need to agree to the EULA, which stands for End-user license agreement, after agreeing to the EULA, you can use the online features to LBP. Some features are sharing levels, play online, playing online levels, shopping.

The servers in Japan all (most) shut down, Karting, PSP, & Vita were shut down in some countries from people's beliefs, but it's not 100% proven that those servers were close. LBP 1-3 has the same servers.

Credits
Article Edited from:
 * 1) EscarockyImp
 * source information from Wikipedia, other user's post, PS Blog, & self-experience