Any student or user of computers and the Internet is bound to come across the terms called Internet Intranet Extranet at one point or another. These are three information technology related terms you are sure to hear in any place with a computer network or computer studies classes.
All three terms sound similar with only one or two letter interchanged. When I was a IT student doing my undergraduate studies I also use to sometimes confuse the intranet, extranet and the Internet. Even some publications even confuse and even wrongly print these three computer network terms thinking they are synonymous. However they are not the same. And once you understand the difference between these three types of networks remembering what they are is not that difficult.
Lets see what is the different and similarities between the words Internet, Intranet and Extranet networks. One thing is correct always similar with all these words. That is all these three terms refer to some type of interconnected computer network. The Internet Intranet and Extranet all rely on the same TCP/IP technologies. However, they are different in terms of the levels of access they allow to various users inside and outside the organization and the size of the network.
Internet Vs Intranet Vs Extranet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks. It is not controlled by a central entity and therefore relies on network devices like routers and accepted conventions and protocols to pass the data traffic until it gets to its destinations. Unlike Intranets and Extranets anyone can access the Internet network and it is owned by no one.
Intranet
An intranet is a private computer network or a cluster of interconnected PC & Laptops in an organization that is setup to share information (e.g. files, documents, emails), resources (such as printers, scanners), company programs & software applications (like company attendance, job sheets, payroll system etc.). The Intranet is very private and has restricted access. Only authorized people inside the organization can access it.
Extranet
The extranet is basically an extended intranet computer network. An intranet allows for restricted access to only members of an organization. The extranet network on the other hand expands that access by allowing non-members such as suppliers and customers to use a company or organization's computer network with limited access.
I hope this helped you understand the difference between the Internet, extranet and intranet. If you have any questions or need more information on this subject please comment and let me know.
This was compile with the help of my previous article series about Intranet computer networks and applications. and the Network Types at Bright Hub website. For more about Intranets please see the & Define Intranet article.
All three terms sound similar with only one or two letter interchanged. When I was a IT student doing my undergraduate studies I also use to sometimes confuse the intranet, extranet and the Internet. Even some publications even confuse and even wrongly print these three computer network terms thinking they are synonymous. However they are not the same. And once you understand the difference between these three types of networks remembering what they are is not that difficult.
Lets see what is the different and similarities between the words Internet, Intranet and Extranet networks. One thing is correct always similar with all these words. That is all these three terms refer to some type of interconnected computer network. The Internet Intranet and Extranet all rely on the same TCP/IP technologies. However, they are different in terms of the levels of access they allow to various users inside and outside the organization and the size of the network.
Internet Vs Intranet Vs Extranet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks. It is not controlled by a central entity and therefore relies on network devices like routers and accepted conventions and protocols to pass the data traffic until it gets to its destinations. Unlike Intranets and Extranets anyone can access the Internet network and it is owned by no one.
Intranet
An intranet is a private computer network or a cluster of interconnected PC & Laptops in an organization that is setup to share information (e.g. files, documents, emails), resources (such as printers, scanners), company programs & software applications (like company attendance, job sheets, payroll system etc.). The Intranet is very private and has restricted access. Only authorized people inside the organization can access it.
Extranet
The extranet is basically an extended intranet computer network. An intranet allows for restricted access to only members of an organization. The extranet network on the other hand expands that access by allowing non-members such as suppliers and customers to use a company or organization's computer network with limited access.
I hope this helped you understand the difference between the Internet, extranet and intranet. If you have any questions or need more information on this subject please comment and let me know.
This was compile with the help of my previous article series about Intranet computer networks and applications. and the Network Types at Bright Hub website. For more about Intranets please see the & Define Intranet article.
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