What is the Internet and how does it differ from Intranet and Extranet? 🌎
Published: 2023-05-30 19:34:48



In this article, I will explain what is the Internet and how it differs from Intranet and Extranet. I will also give some examples of each type of network and their benefits and drawbacks. 🚀

## What is the Internet? 🤔

The Internet is a global network of interconnected devices that can communicate with each other using standard protocols, such as TCP/IP. The Internet allows users to access and share information and services across the world, such as web pages, email, social media, online games, etc.

The Internet consists of various components, such as:

- End devices: These are the devices that users use to access the Internet, such as computers, smartphones, tablets, etc.
- Network devices: These are the devices that connect end devices to the Internet, such as routers, switches, modems, etc.
- Transmission media: These are the physical or wireless means that carry data between network devices, such as cables, fiber optics, radio waves, etc.
- Servers: These are the devices that provide services or resources to end devices over the Internet, such as web servers, email servers, game servers, etc.
- Internet service providers (ISPs): These are the organizations that provide access to the Internet to end users and other ISPs, such as AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, etc.

The following diagram illustrates the basic structure of the Internet:

```mermaid
graph LR
    A[End device] -- Transmission media --> B[Network device]
    B -- Transmission media --> C[ISP]
    C -- Transmission media --> D[Internet backbone]
    D -- Transmission media --> E[ISP]
    E -- Transmission media --> F[Network device]
    F -- Transmission media --> G[Server]
```

## What is an Intranet? 🏢

An Intranet is a private network that is used within an organization or a group of organizations. An Intranet uses the same protocols and technologies as the Internet, but it is not accessible to the public. An Intranet allows users to access and share information and services within the organization or group, such as documents, databases, calendars, chat rooms, etc.

An Intranet consists of similar components as the Internet, but they are usually owned and managed by the organization or group. An Intranet may also connect to the Internet through a firewall or a proxy server that controls and filters the traffic between them.

The following diagram illustrates the basic structure of an Intranet:

```mermaid
graph LR
    A[End device] -- Transmission media --> B[Network device]
    B -- Transmission media --> C[Intranet server]
    C -- Transmission media --> D[Firewall or proxy server]
    D -- Transmission media --> E[Internet]
```

## What is an Extranet? 🤝

An Extranet is a network that extends an Intranet to include authorized external users or organizations. An Extranet uses the same protocols and technologies as the Internet and the Intranet, but it is only accessible to specific users or groups. An Extranet allows users to access and share information and services across different organizations or groups, such as suppliers, customers, partners, etc.

An Extranet consists of similar components as the Internet and the Intranet, but they are usually shared and secured by the participating organizations or groups. An Extranet may also connect to the Internet through a firewall or a proxy server that controls and filters the traffic between them.

The following diagram illustrates the basic structure of an Extranet:

```mermaid
graph LR
    A[End device] -- Transmission media --> B[Network device]
    B -- Transmission media --> C[Intranet server]
    C -- Transmission media --> D[Firewall or proxy server]
    D -- Transmission media --> E[Extranet server]
    E -- Transmission media --> F[Firewall or proxy server]
    F -- Transmission media --> G[Internet]
```

## How do they differ from each other? 🙌

The main differences between the Internet, Intranet and Extranet are:

- Scope: The Internet is a global network that connects millions of devices across the world. The Intranet is a local network that connects devices within an organization or a group of organizations. The Extranet is a hybrid network that connects devices across different organizations or groups.
- Accessibility: The Internet is accessible to anyone who has an Internet connection and a web browser. The Intranet is accessible only to authorized users within an organization or a group of organizations. The Extranet is accessible only to authorized users across different organizations or groups.
- Security: The Internet is relatively insecure and vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches. The Intranet is relatively secure and protected by firewalls and encryption. The Extranet is moderately secure and protected by firewalls and encryption.



| Network | Scope | Accessibility | Security |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Internet | Global network that connects millions of devices across the world. | Accessible to anyone with an Internet connection and a web browser. | Relatively insecure and vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches. |
| Intranet | Local network that connects devices within an organization or group of organizations. | Accessible only to authorized users within an organization or group of organizations. | Relatively secure and protected by firewalls and encryption. |
| Extranet | Hybrid network that connects devices across different organizations or groups. | Accessible only to authorized users across different organizations or groups. | Moderately secure and protected by firewalls and encryption. |



## Conclusion 🎉

In this article, I have explained what is the Internet and how it differs from Intranet and Extranet. I have also given some examples of each type of network and their benefits and drawbacks.

I hope you have learned something new and useful from this article 😊

If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below 👇 Thank you for reading! 👋