The intranet is a private network that belongs to a particular organization. It is designed for the exclusive use of an organization and its associates, such as employees, customers, and other authorized people. It offers a secure platform to convey information and share data with authorized users. Confidential information, database, links, forms, and applications can be made available to the staff through the intranet. So, it is like a private internet or an internal website that is operating within an organization to provide its employees access to its information and records. Each computer in intranet is identified by a unique IP (Internet Protocol) Address.
It is based on internet protocols (TCP/IP) and is protected from unauthorized access with firewalls and other security systems. The firewall monitors the incoming and outgoing data packets to ensure they don't contain unauthorized requests. So, users on the intranet can access the internet, but the internet users can't access the intranet if they are not authorized for it. Furthermore, to access the intranet, the authorized user is required to be connected to its LAN (Local Area Network).
An extranet is a private network organization, which is actually the part of respective company’s intranet and its services are extended to users outside the company. It is a communication network that is based on internet protocols (TCP/IP). It provides controlled access to firm's intranet to its trading partners, customers, and other businesses.
An extranet service requires firewall server management in order to provide security and privacy.
The advantages of Extranet services are as follows :
It makes business (services) swift and faster.
It helps greatly in improving the business communication.
It helps in reducing the cost (especially in terms of stationery stuff).
It helps in improving the efficiency and confidence of the employees.
It reduces some big physical barriers (especially the geographical distance).
Major Fields Using Extranet :
Corporate houses
Government offices
Education centers