Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
An
intranet
is an internal corporate network built using Internet and World Wide Web
standards and technologies. Employees of an organization use it to gain access to corporate
information. After getting their feet wet with public Web sites that promote company
products and services, corporations are seizing the Web as a swift way to streamline—even
transform—their organizations. These private networks use the infrastructure and standards
of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Using an intranet offers one considerable advan-
tage: Many people are already familiar with Internet technology, so they need little training
to make effective use of their corporate intranet.
An intranet is an inexpensive yet powerful alternative to other forms of internal com-
munication, including conventional computer networks. One of an intranet's most obvious
virtues is its ability to reduce the need for paper. Because Web browsers run on any type of
computer, the same electronic information can be viewed by any employee. That means that
all sorts of documents (such as internal phone books, procedure manuals, training manuals,
and requisition forms) can be inexpensively converted to electronic form on the Web and be
constantly updated. An intranet provides employees with an easy and intuitive approach to
accessing information that was previously difficult to obtain. For example, it is an ideal
solution to providing information to a mobile salesforce that needs access to rapidly changing
information.
A growing number of companies offer limited access to their private corporate network
for selected customers and suppliers. Such networks are referred to as extranets; they connect
people who are external to the company. An
extranet
is a network that links selected resources
of the intranet of a company with its customers, suppliers, or other business partners. Again,
an extranet is built around Web technologies.
Security and performance concerns are different for an extranet than for a Web site or
network-based intranet. User authentication and privacy are critical on an extranet so that
information is protected. Obviously, the network must perform well to provide quick re-
sponse to customers and suppliers. Table 7.8 summarizes the differences between users of
the Internet, intranets, and extranets.
intranet
An internal corporate network built
using Internet and World Wide Web
standards and technologies; used
by employees to gain access to
corporate information.
extranet
A network based on Web technolo-
gies that links selected resources of
a company's intranet with its cus-
tomers, suppliers, or other business
partners.
Table 7.8
Need User ID and Password?
Type
Users
Summary of Internet, Intranet,
and Extranet Users
Internet
Anyone
No
Intranet
Employees
Yes
Extranet
Business partners
Yes
Secure intranet and extranet access applications usually require the use of a virtual private
network (VPN). A
virtual private network (VPN)
is a secure connection between two points
on the Internet. VPNs transfer information by encapsulating traffic in IP packets and sending
the packets over the Internet, a practice called
tunneling
. Most VPNs are built and run by
ISPs. Companies that use a VPN from an ISP have essentially outsourced their networks to
save money on wide area network equipment and personnel.
virtual private network (VPN)
A secure connection between two
points on the Internet.
tunneling
The process by which VPNs transfer
information by encapsulating traffic
in IP packets over the Internet.
The topics raised in this chapter apply not only to the Internet and intranets but also to
LANs, private WANS, and every type of network. Control, access, hardware, and security
problems affect all networks, so you should be familiar with the following issues:
