Internet vs Extranet
The comparison between internet and extranet will be incomplete without giving a view on what Internet and Extranet terms mean and their positioning in organisational IT setup –
Internet
The Internet is enormous global networked system that connects computer networks around the world together. Millions of private, public, business, and government networks worldwide connect with each other over the internet to share massive amounts of information and resources. Internet is what we use to access web pages, send e-mails, listen to music or watch videos online. It hosts an extensive range of information, one that we generally take for granted today.Internet is a low security entity and can be access by any individual in the world with access to Internet via dial up connection or leased line Internet.
An Extranet is basically a private network designed specifically to allow these individuals (clients, vendors, suppliers, partners, etc.) to communicate with you and your employees in a closed virtual space. Extranets serve an extremely important role, as they allow for private communication, collaboration, knowledge sharing, document sharing, and data transfer between organizations. An extranet is accessible to some people from outside the company, or possibly shared by more than one organisation.This network system is basically used for business to business (B2B) purposes.
Related- Intranet vs Extranet
An Extranet can be used to meet a variety of different needs. Large volumes of data can be exchanged between parties via extranets, for example, and they can also be used to create collaboration. The latter is especially useful for companies that need to brainstorm or work back and forth with clients and customers, and it can save hours of time in comparison to using email and/or telephone. Extranets are also used to help monitor and fix any potential bugs or issues that can occur with a company’s products or services — almost like built-in quality control.
Internet vs Extranet
Below table shows the difference between Internet and Extranet in terms of various parameters as enlisted in column 1. let’s understand those-
| PARAMETER | INTERNET | EXTRANET |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | Public | Private |
| User Types | Any user having dial up of Internet access line. | Suppliers, customer and Business partners. |
| Usage | Access all kind of information | Check status of orders, Access data , send email |
| Security | Low security. Configured under 0 security level in firewall | Generally uses VPN technology for secured communication over Internet. Medium security Level. |
| Regulated by | Internet Architecture Board (IAB): Oversees the technical and engineering development of the IETF and IRTF. Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). | It is regulated by multiple organization. |
| Coverage | Wide Area | Within an organization |
| Access | Large number of users | Limited number of users |
Download the difference table here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am here to share my knowledge and experience in the field of networking with the goal being – “The more you share, the more you learn.”
I am a biotechnologist by qualification and a Network Enthusiast by interest. I developed interest in networking being in the company of a passionate Network Professional, my husband.
I am a strong believer of the fact that “learning is a constant process of discovering yourself.”
– Rashmi Bhardwaj (Author/Editor)
