The Internet, Intranet,
and Extra net are the most popular platforms for e-commerce. In Internet is the
most common platform for B2C e-commerce; the intranet is most the common for
platform for corporate internal management; and the extra net is the most common
platform for B2B e-commerce.
The Internet .
The Internet is a
public and global communication network that provides direct connectivity to
anyone over a local area network (LAN) or Internet Service Provider (ISP). 2.
The Internet is a public network that is connected and routed over gateways.
End users are connected to local access providers (LANs or ISPs), who are
connected to the Internet access providers, to network access providers, and
eventually to the Internet backbone. 3. Since access to the Internet is open to
all, there is a lack of control that may result in an unruly proliferation of
information.
The Intranet:.
An intranet is a
corporate LAN or wide area network (WAN) that uses Internet technology and is
secured behind company’s firewalls (see security and protection). 2. The
intranet links various servers, clients, databases, and application programs
like Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Although intranets are developed on
the same TCP/IP protocol as the Internet, they operate as a private network
with limited access. 3. Only authorized employees are able to use it. Intranets
are limited to information pertinent to the company and contain exclusive and
often proprietary and sensitive information. 2 4. The firewalls protect the intranets
from unauthorized outside access; the intranet can be used to enhance the
communications and collaboration among authorized employees, customers,
suppliers, and other business partners. 5. Since the intranet allows access
through the Internet, it does not require any additional implementation of
leased networks. This open and flexible connectivity is a major capability and
advantage of intranet. Intranets provide the infrastructure for many
intrabusiness commerce applications.
The Extranet .
An extranet,
or “extended intranet”, uses the TCP/IP protocol network of the Internet, to
link intranets in different locations. 2. Extranet transmission is usually
conducted over the Internet, which offers little privacy or transmission
security. 3. Therefore, when using an extranet, it is necessary to improve the
security of connecting portions of he Internet. This can be done by creating
tunnels (see paragraph on security and protection) of secured data flows, using
cryptography and authorization algorithm. 4. The Internet with tunneling
technology is known as a virtually private network (VPN). 5. Extranets provide
secured connectivity between corporation’s intranets and the intranets of its
business partners, material suppliers, financial services, government, and
customers. 6. Access to intranets is usually limited by agreements of the
collaborating parties, is strictly controlled, and is only available to
authorized personnel. 7. The protected environment of the extranet allows
groups to collaborate, sharing information exclusively, and exchanging it
securely. 8. Since an extranet allows connectivity between businesses through
the Internet, it is an open and flexible platform suitable for supply chain
management. 9. To increase security, many companies replicate the database they
are willing to share with their business partners and separate them physically
from their regular intranets.
