--- title: "Intranet, Internet, Extranet comparison and resources" subject: "Internet and Intranet" chapter: 1 key: "semester_8/internet_and_intranet:intranet-internet-extranet-compare" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/internet_and_intranet/intranet-internet-extranet-compare site: BCT Engineering --- # Intranet, Internet, Extranet comparison and resources Internet and Intranet · Chapter 1: Introduction - Asked in: 2070 Bhadra, 5+5 marks - Video: [Internet Vs Intranet Vs Extranet | Difference Between them with Comparison Chart](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3TIBnHhI6Y) — About Technology - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/internet_and_intranet/intranet-internet-extranet-compare - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/internet_and_intranet/chapter-1 ## Question Compare Intranet, Internet and Extranet with their benefits and drawbacks. Discuss the necessary resources required to design medium size intranet system. ## Short answer Intranet is private for employees; extranet shares with partners via VPN; Internet is open to all. Benefits: secure sharing, B2B collaboration, global reach. Designing a medium intranet needs a router/firewall, L3 core and access switches, servers, IP plan (e.g., 10.10.1.0/26 for servers, /24 for floors), and trained administrators. ## Answer #### Comparison of Intranet, Internet and Extranet An **intranet** is a private network of one organisation. An **extranet** is an intranet extended to selected outsiders (suppliers, partners, customers) over the Internet, normally via VPN or authenticated web access. The **Internet** is the open public network. | Basis | Intranet | Extranet | Internet | |---|---|---|---| | Users | Employees | Employees + trusted partners | Everyone | | Access | Internal, private | Controlled, authenticated | Open | | Ownership | One organisation | One organisation shared with partners | None | | Security | High | Medium-high (VPN, login) | Low | | Content | Internal data and applications | Shared business data, orders, catalogues | Any | | Example | University staff portal | Supplier ordering portal | World Wide Web | | | Benefits | Drawbacks | |---|---|---| | Intranet | Secure internal sharing, productivity, low cost, central control | Limited reach, setup and maintenance cost | | Extranet | Faster B2B transactions, partner collaboration, less paperwork | Higher security risk, access management, depends on Internet | | Internet | Global reach, information, e-commerce | Threats, privacy loss, no control, unreliable content | #### Resources required to design a medium-size intranet **Assumptions:** one organisation with about 200 users on two floors, one server room, Internet through one ISP link, private addressing. ```text Internet | [Router/Firewall]---[DMZ: web,mail] | [Core Switch L3]--[Servers: DNS, DHCP, file, | DB, intranet web] | | [Access SW] [Access SW]---[Wi-Fi APs] floor 1 floor 2 ``` **IP plan (10.10.0.0/16 subset)** | Network | Subnet | Hosts | |---|---|---| | Servers | 10.10.1.0/26 | 62 | | Floor 1 users | 10.10.10.0/24 | 254 | | Floor 2 users | 10.10.20.0/24 | 254 | | Wi-Fi guests | 10.10.30.0/24 | 254 | | DMZ | 10.10.40.0/28 | 14 | **Bill of quantities** | Item | Qty | |---|---| | Router with firewall / UTM | 1 | | L3 core switch, 24 port | 1 | | Access switch, 48 port PoE | 4 | | Wireless access points | 6 | | Servers (web/app, DB, file, DNS+DHCP, mail) | 4-5 | | Rack, UPS, cooling | 1 set | | Cat6 cabling, patch panels | 220 points | | Internet leased line (e.g. 100 Mbps) | 1 | | Client PCs | 200 | **Software:** server OS (Linux/Windows Server), web server (Apache/IIS), database, directory service (LDAP/Active Directory), DNS/DHCP, mail, antivirus, backup, VPN. **Human and other resources:** network administrator, system administrator, web developer, security policy, user training, backup and disaster recovery plan, budget. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What is an extranet? A. The open public network B. An intranet extended to selected outsiders such as suppliers and partners, typically via VPN or authenticated access C. A network with no security D. A network of ISPs only Answer: B. An extranet shares part of an organisation's intranet with trusted partners under controlled access. (Key point: Extranet definition) 2. What is a drawback of an extranet compared with an intranet? A. Higher security risk and access management, plus dependence on the Internet B. Slower B2B transactions C. No partner collaboration D. Lower security requirements Answer: A. Opening to outsiders raises risk and requires access management. (Key point: Extranet drawbacks) 3. Why are /24 subnets (254 hosts) used for each floor in the example plan? A. A /24 supports only 14 hosts B. Each floor needs more than 62 usable addresses for about 100+ users, devices and growth C. Servers need /24 each D. /24 is required for the DMZ Answer: B. A /24 gives 254 hosts, enough for a floor of users, while the servers (62) and DMZ (14) use smaller subnets. (Key point: IP plan for 200-user floors) 4. In the intranet design, where do the public web and mail servers go? A. On the floor access switches B. On the Wi-Fi guest network C. Directly on the Internet link with no firewall D. In a DMZ attached to the router/firewall Answer: D. Public servers sit in a DMZ behind the router/firewall. 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