Intranet

Details - Frequently Asked Questions - Anecdotes - Links to other sites

 
Definition
A private network that employs Internet Technology. A typical Intranet would be on a company's internal computer network with Web sites for such things as HR policy, telephone directories and product plans. Because access is restricted to the network, only employees of the company would have access to the sites. The users access the Web sites over the network so do not need modems or telephone lines.
Discussion
Connection to the Internet. A big question for every Intranet owner is whether it should be connected to the Internet. Almost certainly there are Intranet users who could make good use of the Internet, but making the connection is a major security issue. If no safeguards are put in place it would be possible for anyone on the Internet to access all the computers on the company's network. A computer called a firewall needs to be placed between the Intranet and the Internet to police the traffic between the two so that unauthorised access to the Intranet can be prevented.
Accessing existing data. On an Intranet the priority is often to make existing data more widely available. To support this all the major office suites provide ways of making existing word processing files and spreadsheets available over the Intranet. It is also possible to create Web sites that query databases and display the results in the browser. The ideal that many organisations are striving for is to allow access to all the corporate data via a Browser.
See Also
For more information about the technology available see Internets. For private Web sites that use the Internet as the means of communication see Extranets.
More Details (sometimes Technical)
Coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is an Intranet not an Intranet? Although the Web is usually the first Internet technology used on an Intranet, the network would justify the name Intranet if any of the Internet technologies were used. You could for example start with Newsgroups. It is also worth noting that the term is not always used rigorously - Intranet is an in vogue term so often is used when there is no justification!
What is needed to start an Intranet? The starting point is a computer network that uses the TCP/IP protocol to communicate between computers. You need a reasonably powerful computer on the network that can be used as a Web server and you need to acquire and install Web server software on this machine. Someone needs to create a Web site. Then anyone who has a browser on their machine can start using the Web site. For simple Web sites the skills needed once the network is set up are
someone who is proficient at installing and configuring software (for the Web server software)
a reasonably adventurous user of office software (to create the Web pages), and
some users.
What is the Intranet used for? The following are some of the most popular uses:
1. For storing manuals and procedures on-line. This can lead to big savings in printing and distribution costs. Since there is only one copy of the manual it is also guaranteed to be the latest version.
2. Product data and marketing data. Employees often complain that they "are the last to hear about product and marketing initiatives". Amongst other things an Intranet Web site can be used to test pages that are destined for the Internet.
3. Job Vacancies. Advertising jobs within the company.
4. On line telephone directories. Can contain more than just phone numbers - photos, details of responsibilities, availability. Sometimes this is achieved by individuals creating their own (home) pages.
5. Accessing existing databases from the browser.
How do I provide a search facility on my Intranet? See Search Engines FAQ's
What is the difference between an Extranet and an Intranet? See the following table:
  Which network? Restrictions to Access to Web sites
Internet Public (the Internet) None
Intranet Private (usually owned by Intranet owner) Anyone on the private network
Extranet Public (the Internet) Only those who have been granted access
Anecdotes
None yet
Links to other sites
None yet


© New Media in Business Ltd 1997-2000
Last updated: 12 May 2000

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