Intranet vs. Internet Introduction to Intranet

It allows the full control of the data flow. • It protects the intranet from an unauthorized access from the Internet. • It redirects traffic. • It is relatively easy to implement at the single place, while the rest of the network remains unchanged. • An intranet provides all Internet services to the local hosts. From the standpoint of the local users, an intranet is fully transparent toward the Internet. Converting intranet addresses to Internet addresses provides the required transparency and vice versa, whenever it is needed. This is known as address mapping. Thanks to that we can say the intranet remains part of the Internet, and every local host remains a participant in the Internet. Frankly, it would be more appropriate to say every local host has a feeling that it remains a participant in the Internet. To accomplish transparency, several intranet technologies have been developed. These are primarily specialized network applications services. Once again UNIX has proved to be a dominant OS platform to run these applications. The specialized equipment also has been developed — the specialized hardware always improves performance.

25.1.1 Intranet vs. Internet

An intranet has many elements in common with the Internet. But the intranet also differs from its big brother. The intranet and Internet implement basically the same technologies, but their basic missions are different. Intranet and Internet are merging together, but they are also very cautious and susceptible at the connection points. Simply, we must be aware of their differences and similarities. Intranet is a world in itself. It is sufficiently separated from the Internet to introduce its own more restricted local rules of behavior, but also sufficiently merged to the Internet to benefit from its globalization and worldwide access. We can name this relationship as a marriage driven by interests. There is not too much love in the intranet−Internet relationship. For a better understanding of this relationship, let us try to summarize the main aspects of both; afterward it will be easier to understand the administrative duties in this area. The basic Internet characteristics are: This is a global, worldwide network. • Its basic mission is globalization. • It is open and eager to accommodate new participants. • It consists of a huge number of mutually connected subnetworks and an enormous number of participating hosts computers. • It provides different network services. • Different network technologies are implemented. • Different hardware and software platforms are used. • Network control is distributed. • Databases are distributed. • Costs are distributed. • 622 The basic intranet characteristics are: This is a private, dedicated network. • It is basically business oriented. • Its growth is strictly controlled. • The concept is Internet−like. • Access to and from the out−of−Intranet world is restricted. • There is full control over the network. • Mostly the same network technologies are implemented throughout an intranet. • Mostly the same hardware and software platforms are used. • It is a part of Internet. • It overrides some Internet restrictions. • In some ways, we can say that an intranet is a small Internet where we have even more control and influence. Such a statement is mostly true, but it does not make our job smaller. Finally, what can we conclude about an intranet as a part of the Internet? The same technologies are implemented. • The concept is almost the same. • Security issues are different. • Ownership is different. • Special concerns exist regarding connections with the Internet. • From an administrative standpoint, there are no significant differences between administering a UNIX host in an intranet or on the Internet. This is logical since UNIX administration is primarily focused on configuring a UNIX host in the local network LAN where the UNIX host belongs. This administration is independent of the wider network layout regarding whether this LAN belongs to an intranet or the Internet. UNIX administrative responsibilities terminate with routers in the LAN. Afterward other administrative skills are required.

25.1.2 Intranet Design Approach