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Intranet vs Extranet

The document explains the concepts of Intranet and Extranet, highlighting that Intranet is a private network for internal communication and collaboration among employees, while Extranet extends this network to authorized external users like customers and suppliers. Key differences include their purpose, regulation, accessibility, and security measures. Both networks aim to enhance communication and collaboration, but Intranet is internal and Extranet is external.

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0 views3 pages

Intranet vs Extranet

The document explains the concepts of Intranet and Extranet, highlighting that Intranet is a private network for internal communication and collaboration among employees, while Extranet extends this network to authorized external users like customers and suppliers. Key differences include their purpose, regulation, accessibility, and security measures. Both networks aim to enhance communication and collaboration, but Intranet is internal and Extranet is external.

Uploaded by

poojinter
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRANET VS EXTRANET

What is Intranet?
The Intranet is a private network used by a company to enable secure communication and collaboration
amongst its employees; it is also useful for storing internal information.

The prefix infra means within or inside, so in simple words, an intranet is the company’s digital workspace
which is centralized. It helps in streamlining every individual, document, tools, projects, etc. within the
company.

What is an extranet?
Similar to the intranet, the extranet is also a private network within an organization; however, it uses the
internet to connect to outsiders in a controlled manner.

Extranet helps in connecting organizations with their customers and suppliers, which helps in working
collaboratively.

In simple words, it is the organization’s intranet that is extended to authorized users outside the organization.
A controlled, private network that enables third-party partners to access certain information without granting
complete access to the organization’s entire network.

Similar to the intranet, extranet allows private communication, file, and information sharing, However, in
this case, it is between authorized external partners and the organization.
Intranet vs. Extranet: what do they do?
Intranets usually begin with publishing web pages informing about the upcoming company events, company
health, safety or security policies, staff newsletters, etc.

Intranet gives access to forms for claiming expenses or for requesting leaves and holidays. Having all this
online on the organization’s internal network helps in eliminating unwanted paperwork and speed up the
process.

Additional features that are essential for the operation of the organization can be added to the intranet. It can
be made into a portal that provides easy access to all the things required by the employees.

Firewalls are used for protecting the intranet from the global internet, employees can log in to the intranet
only with the help of a secure password.

Employees or contractors working for the organization but are located at different locations can access the
intranet by using a VPN (a virtual private network). All the communications made between the intranet and
the individual’s personal computer is encrypted.

Extranet provides access to a business network to people working for different organizations. For example, a
business can provide access to its supplier to make online ordering, order tracking, and inventory
management simpler.

Instead of sending information to the suppliers on each occasion, the extranet allows the suppliers to
automatically access the required information. Another example of the extranet is the hospital appointment
booking system.

Under the booking system, the doctors can access the hospital’s system to make appointments for their
patients. Since the communications made of the extranet can be encrypted over a VPN, it is more secure as
compared to sending data over the public internet.
Intranet vs. Extranet: The key differences
 Purpose:

Intranet – The main purpose of the Intranet is to enable the sharing of sensitive and confidential information
within the organization.

Extranet – Extranet allows communication of information between the employees of the organization and
the external business associates.

 Regulation:

Intranet – It is regulated by the specific organization and its organizational policies.

Extranet – It is regulated by 2 or more organizations which are sharing the information and data. It is
regulated by the contractual agreements made between the organizations.

 Accessibility:

Intranet – The content is accessible only by the members or employees of the organization.

Extranet – The content is accessible by the employees of the organization and external members who have
been given access to the network.

 Security:

Intranet – The network is secured by a firewall.

Extranet – The network is secured through a firewall that separates the internet and extranet.

Intranet vs. Extranet: The Final Words


Intranet and Extranet both have many similarities, including their main purpose to increase communication
and collaboration. Though similar they have some differences, their chief difference can be determined from
the first few letters of their name.

The prefix intra means internal or inside. Which means it is an internal network dedicated to the employees
of the organization.

The prefix extra means external or it refers to any contact or activity outside your business like clients,
vendors, and suppliers.

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