The Internet is the most widely used computer network, but is this the only type we need for sharing information in our daily lives? The Internet, an intranet and an extranet are all similar words, but distinctly different kinds of networks.
Internet
The Internet is a global interconnection of computer systems. It is a massive collection of networks sharing information publicly in the form of interlinked web pages. IP or Internet Protocol defines a site’s unique location on the World Wide Web.
Intranet
An intranet network is only accessible to a small group of people. Intranets are mainly used within businesses and organizations to provide access to files and applications on networked computers and servers. Intranets are sometimes defined as a private Internet.
Extranet
An extranet is comparable to an intranet, but is accessible via a Web portal. An intranet resides behind a firewall, and is accessible only to people who are members of the same group, company or organization. Extranets are becoming a very popular means for business partners to exchange information securely.
Differences
The differences between the three are in their accessibility. The Internet is public, while the other two are highly restricted. Businesses and organizations are the main users of both intranets and extranets in order to restrict access to confidential data. An Intranet might be accessible from the Internet, but you need to login for the authentication.
If you are interested in learning more about how this might be of value to your organization or company, please call us for more information at 630-365-0025.
