Common Network Environments Flashcards
What is the Internet?
The Internet is a very large global network that consists of many other interconnected networks.
The World Wide Web is a vast collection of web pages that can be accessed using a web browser.
The World Wide Web allows you to access information by using the internet.
Characteristics of the Internet:
It is an open network, meaning everyone can access the same resources and information as everybody else.
People from all over the world can communicate with each other in real-time.
Available to anyone who has a suitable device and access to any one of the interconnected networks.
Uses of the Internet:
Education and training
Social Networking
Online shopping
Entertainment
What is the Intranet?
Usually private and are used to send information securely and safely.
Access to an organisation’s Intranet is restricted and only accessible to authorised users such as employees.
Advantages of the Intranet over the Internet:
Better bandwidth than the internet
Data is kept within the organisation
Less chance of hacking and attacks, administrators can manage access to external sites and links.
Characteristics of the Intranet:
A private network that is accessible to employees within a company or organisation.
Usually behind a firewall to ensure security.
Allows for document sharing and the use of collaboration tools between users.
It can be customised to meet the specific requirements of the business.
Users will require a username and password to access the Intranet.
What is the Extranet?
Private Intranet that also allows access by selected parties that reside outside of the organisation.
These parties, for example, may be customers, key stakeholders or clients.
Users will have an authorization level once they have successfully logged in, which will determine which resources they may access.
Similarities between the network environments:
They are all web-based technologies
They allow users to access information remotely
They all use client-server architecture
They all use security measures such as authentication and encryption
They all promote and facilitate information and resource sharing
Differences between the network environments:
The internet is a global network, whereas an intranet/extranet is a private network contained within an organisation.
The use of the internet covers a wide range of purposes, whereas an intranet/extranet is designed for specific users and purposes.
Much information is publicly available, whereas an intranet/extranet is not.
The Internet is not owned solely by one person or organisation, whereas the organisation usually owns intranets/extranets.
