How does the ranking system work?

[KwietStorm]

Easy solution: Just ignore rank and play the game. After all, when you're face to face w/ someone, your rank doesn't hand you a shield belt or replenish your shock ammo.

Yes on the PC at least. In game leaderboards, click on "Server Type." That brings up a separate leaderboard and personal stats for non pure servers.

Yes I know how to view them separately, but I'm saying I believe the rank itself is separate from either server.