The Least You Need to Know
Right now, the least you need to know about the Internet, intranets, and extranets is this:
All three types of networks (the Internet, intranets, and extranets) are based on TCP/IP protocols and naming conventions.
The domain name system (DNS) and IP addresses are used to identify host computers and other network resources in each type of network.
The World Wide Web made the Internet accessible to the general population.
Some older Internet applications, such as email and newsgroups, are still popular today. Older document search and storage methods, such as Gopher, Archie, and WAIS, are becoming obsolete.
The uses of the Internet are too numerous to describe; some popular uses include online shopping, online gaming, Internet searching, news access, and online chats.
Intranets are closed networks that use the same protocols and addressing style used by the Internet.
Extranets are networks that are maintained by a company, but extend beyond the physical boundaries of the private network so partners and suppliers can access some level of information from that network.