- 2069 Bhadra (old course) · 10 marks
Intranet vs Internet and intranet protocols
Short answer
Intranet restricts access to internal authorized users with private IPs; Internet is a global public network. Key intranet protocols are TCP/IP for transport, HTTP/HTTPS for web, DNS/DHCP for naming and addressing, LDAP for authentication, SMB/NFS for file sharing, and SMTP/IMAP for email.
What is the difference between intranet and internet? Explain the widely used protocols in intranet.
Difference between intranet and internet
| Basis | Intranet | Internet |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Private network of an organisation using Internet technology | Global public network of networks |
| Access | Only authorised users | Anyone with a connection |
| Ownership | One organisation | No single owner |
| Security | Firewall, controlled access | Open, higher risk |
| Scope | One organisation, LAN/WAN | Worldwide |
| Content | Internal documents, applications | Public content and services |
| Addressing | Private IP addresses | Public IP addresses |
| Cost and control | Organisation manages and pays | Shared; ISP charges |
Widely used protocols in an intranet
An intranet uses the same TCP/IP suite as the Internet.
- TCP/IP (IP, TCP, UDP): basic addressing, routing and reliable/unreliable delivery.
- HTTP/HTTPS: access to internal web pages and web applications through browsers (ports 80/443).
- FTP/SFTP: file transfer between clients and file servers (ports 21/22).
- SMTP, POP3, IMAP: sending and receiving internal e-mail (ports 25, 110, 143).
- DNS: resolves internal host names to IP addresses (port 53).
- DHCP: assigns IP address, mask, gateway and DNS server automatically to clients (ports 67/68).
- LDAP/Active Directory, Kerberos: central user authentication and directory services.
- SMB/CIFS, NFS: file and printer sharing.
- Telnet/SSH: remote login and administration (SSH is secure).
- SNMP: monitor and manage network devices.
- NTP: time synchronisation.
- IPsec/VPN protocols: secure remote access for staff from outside.
- SIP/RTP: internal VoIP and video conferencing.
- ARP, ICMP: address resolution and diagnostics such as ping.
- Routing protocols (RIP, OSPF): exchange routes between internal subnets.
Typical use in a small organisation (example)
An employee opens the intranet portal at http://intranet.company.local. DHCP gave the PC its address; DNS resolves the portal name; HTTP fetches the page from the internal web server; LDAP checks the login; SMB maps the shared drive; SMTP/IMAP handle internal mail; the firewall allows only HTTP/HTTPS, DNS and mail out to the Internet. This shows that the same protocols as on the Internet are used, but inside a controlled boundary.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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