6. Summary
Characteristics
Internet |
Intranet |
Extranet |
|---|---|---|
| World wide computer-based communication network | Internal computer-based communication network | An extended Intranet whereby external personnel are also able to connect to an Intranet. |
| A network of networks connected by high speed data channels such as leased lines, satellite links, undersea cables and mobile phone network | Based on the company LAN or WAN infrastructure. May be a virtual network within the LAN / WAN | Uses mobile phone network or a virtual private network (VPN) to establish a connection |
| Uses TCP/IP protocol | Uses TCP/IP and also authorisation system | Uses TCP/IP plus authorisation system and encryption system |
| It is an open network | It is a closed network | It is a closed network |
| Services such as Email and the Web are mostly open to the public. | Can be viewed or used by employees or authorised users only | Can be viewed or used by employees or authorised users only even if they are not connected to the LAN / WAN |
| World wide open access | Access from only within the company or organisation | World-wide but private access to an Intranet. |
| Content and service providers from anywhere in the world | Content is mainly generated by internal people for use by other internal people |
Purpose
Internet |
Intranet / Extranet |
|---|---|
| Provides publicly available services | Provides private internal services. |
| Company based internal email | |
| File transfer (FTP) | FTP to internal secure servers |
| Instant Messaging (IM) | IM between staff only |
| World Wide Web | Internal web content |
| Video and Audio streaming | Video and Audio internal multimedia content |
| VoIP | Possibly an IP based internal phone system |
challenge see if you can find out one extra fact on this topic that we haven't already told you
Click on this link: Internet services