What is the Difference Between Internet and Intranet? with Proper Definition and Brief Explanation

The main difference between internet and intranet is that the internet is a worldwide public system that connects computer networks while the intranet is a private network that can only be accessed by the staff of the organization.

The Internet is a global system that interconnects devices around the world to share information. It is a great network of networks. It contains private, public, business, government, academic, and non-government networks. In general, it is a worldwide communication system. On the other hand, the intranet is a part of the internet. It is a network that belongs to a specific organization. It helps to exchange information and resources among the employees of the organization.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is the internet?
     – Definition, Use
2. What is the intranet?
    – Definition, Usage
3. Similarities between internet and intranet?
    – Outline of common features
4. Difference between Internet and Intranet?
    – Comparison of key differences

Key terms

internet, internet

What is internet?

The Internet is a public and global network that connects a large number of devices around the world. The main purpose of the Internet is to exchange information in a short period of time. This information can be text, audio, video, etc. Devices on the Internet can be connected using a guided medium, such as wired, wireless, or using advanced technologies such as fiber optics. The Internet uses the TCP/IP protocol for data communication.

In the modern world, the internet is one of the most common approaches to effective and efficient communication. In short, the internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks. It is an excellent source of information for the user.

What is the intranet?

Intranet is a part of the Internet that belongs to a specific organization. Only employees of the organization have access to the intranet. In other words, it is a private network and employees within the organization are only allowed to access the network.

Also, the intranet can have one more gateway to connect to the Internet. In general, it allows to transfer data, exchange documents, files and folders within the organization.

Similarities Between the Internet and Intranet

• Both the support information and the exchange of resources within a network.
• They use TCP/IP protocol for data transfer.
• They can be accessed using any web browser. However, Internet users have access to sites hosted on the intranet.

Difference Between Internet and Intranet

Definition

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to link devices around the world. In contrast, the intranet is a private network that is contained within a company.

Network Type

Internet is a public network while intranet is a private network.

Accessibility

Anyone has access to the internet. Therefore, anyone can access information on the internet. On the other hand, only users in the organization have access to the intranet. Only they can refer the information on the intranet.

Security

The intranet is more secure than the internet. As the internet is a private network, it provides more security in communication.

Number of Users

The Internet is a global system and has a large number of users. On the other hand, Intranet is a small network. Therefore, it has a limited number of users.

Traffic

The Internet has more traffic because it is a worldwide network. In contrast, the intranet has minimal traffic because it has fewer users.

Conclusion

The difference between them is that the Internet is a worldwide public system that connects computer networks, while the intranet is a private network that can only be accessed by the staff of the organization.

Reference:

1. “Computer on the Internet and Intranet.” Www.tutorialspoint.com, Tutorials Point, January 8, 2018, Available here.
2. “What is the intranet? – Definition of WhatIs.com. “SearchWinDevelopment, available here.

Courtesy image:

1. “Applications-internet” by the people of Tango! project – The Tango! Desktop Project (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2.”Extranet-intranet” By Speculos – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons

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