Intranet

An intranet can viewed as a more private variation of the internet. Sometimes, it may only refer to the most visible service of a network. It uses concepts from the internet such as clients and servers adhering to the Internet Protocol suite. An intranet may also use protocols such HTTP and FTP to function. An intranet does not require any direct access from it’s internal network to the internet. Access to such resources is usually provided through a gateway equipped with a firewall or a VPN (virtual private network). These devices and systems enable offsite users to access information, internal communications and resources from a remote location. An intranet differs from an extranet in a sense that is typically limited to the associates of a particular organization. An extranet can usually be accessed by clients, suppliers or other authorized users. Intranets are increasingly being used to deliver tools and software or to enhance productivity in a corporate network.