Today, allow me to take you through the main differences between the Internet vs Network vs Intranet. After all, all of them are of basic importance, unlike the first time you learned about the difference between a CPU and a PC. Computers and their systems are complicated in their way, and it gets only doubly tough if you miss comptia network+ certification success.
You have to know about two terms related to this subject that act already used in the regular language. By definition, a network connects computers, or other devices (like printers and fax machines) together. The internet is an abbreviation for the interconnection of networks. While an intranet is a local or restricted communications network, especially a private network created using World Wide Web software.
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The connection of a network is either by cables or wirelessly by radio or infrared signals. The purpose of a network is to make information at one point available at another. However, a network doesn’t have to be only for computers, whereas the analog telephone system is a network too.
Well, they may all seem different from each other, but then, they may also appear similar to each other. The main difference between the Internet vs Network vs Intranet comes in their definition.
Internet Vs Network Vs Intranet
Basically, the Internet is a wide network of computers that is available to all. Whereas, an Intranet is a network of computers designed for a certain group of users. Likewise, the Internet is a public network and Intranet is a private network.
The Internet contains various sources of information while Intranet only contains group-specific information. One big difference between Networks and the Internet is how they handle addressing and routing. On a private network, the network administrator can use any system for these tasks.
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It is important that all nodes, and especially routers, in a network use the same protocols. Otherwise, the receiver will not be able to decipher the sender’s instructions.
Hubs, bridges, and switches are all devices used to connect computers and other devices together on an Ethernet network. Again, another basic distinction between the Internet and vs Network is that the Network consists of pieces that area unit physically connected.
And maybe used as a private computer yet to share data with one another. Conversely, the Internet could be a technology that links these little and huge networks with one another and builds an additional in-depth network. Below are other notable differences in their physical components:
Hubs & Bridges
As for the hubs, they connect two or more computers together. Hubs are effectively multi-port repeaters and operate at the physical layer (level one). They do not examine network traffic. The smallest is usually 4 ports. While as for Bridges, connect two network segments together and are selective repeaters.
For example, they examine the MAC address of the traffic it sees and learns which network segments contain the various MAC address. Thereafter, they use this information to decide whether or not to repeat the traffic on a network segment. Normally, Bridges works at level 2 (data link Level) and will transmit broadcasts.
Switches, Access Points & Routers
Likewise, a switch Connects two or more computers together and is used today in preference to a hub or bridge. Whereas, a switch is effectively a bridge with more ports. Using switches usually speeds up a network but it depends on the network configuration. You can see the basic networking tutorial for more guidelines.
An Access Point connects wireless devices to an Ethernet network, and to each other. They effectively do the same job as a hub/switch but for wireless devices. And as for the Routers, they connect networks together. Routers operate at the networking level of the TC Protocol Stack.
On Home networks, the router is responsible for connecting the home network to the Internet. And as such, it provides several important networking services like DHCP and DNS. Most home routers provide both WiFi and Ethernet connections. Home routers also provide NAT (Network Address Translation) services.
What Is Network?
The internet is a global system that uses a TCP/IP protocol suite to link various types of electric devices worldwide. Therefore, the internet is a collection of interconnected devices that are spread across the globe. It is a network of networks that consist of public, private, public, sales, finance, academic, business, and government networks.
The internet is a type of network called a network of networks. Many scenarios are existent within the environment where we do things, and hence, this term gets defined in all those. A Computer network is a group of computers linked to each other that enables the computer to communicate with another computer and share its resources, data, and applications.
In simple terms, it gets defined as the arrangement of interconnected people or things. We go towards the definition in math; it becomes the arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines. Let’s consider the following user-based terminologies:
Local Area Network
One thing that becomes critical in the usage is that all the devices at one time are present close to each other. As long as they are connected and working under the same LAN system, then they will be part of the network.
Several kinds of computer systems exist. The main is the Local Area Network where all the device is in the same building. The other is the Wide Area Network where the computers are not that close to each other.
Campus Area Network
The next one is the Campus Area Network where the computers are within the geographical area of a particular university or base. The last one is the Home Area Network. Where all the work is carried out within a personal space.
Such as a room or home that connects all the digital devices to function properly. Many characteristics associated with these terms also become part of an extended network.
What Is Internet?
The Internet is a broader term that connects all the computers in the world. Through a mode of communication in which data gets transferred at a fast speed within the domains. In other words, the Wide Area Network often utilizes resources owned by different organizations.
Remarkably, the Internet is the biggest example in the world of a Wide Area Network. The Internet was started in defense research and across academic institutions. Whereby, the forerunner of the Internet was called DARPANET.
This takes its name from DARPA, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. More than 200 countries get connected in this way for the exchange of data, news, and opinions. It works in a simple way, where people get to create websites, and others read stuff on them for information.
Decentralized Internet
Surprisingly, the Internet is decentralized where all the computers are called the host and are independent. Everyone who uses those computers is free to decide which tools should get utilized and how particular the local services are.
Most of the time a broadband connection from where all the internet services and links become visible. But some paid ways such as Internet Service Providers also give a proper infrastructure to gain access.
World Wide Web
Most people confuse the terms with each other since they are the worldwide web and the internet, but both are different in many ways, the internet is a term that is broad and contains all sorts of ways that connect each other and provide people with opportunities to go online.
The other term becomes accurate as they only include the website portals that become a source of information. Another interesting question that arises is who owns this extensive database, and the answer is straightforward, no one. It is more like a concept and not an entity, and that’s a unique thing about it.
The Difference Between Internet Vs Network
On one hand, a Network is a connection of one or more computers placed in an environment. And on the other hand, the Internet is the relationship of computers connecting them from all over the world. One big difference between the Internet vs Network is how they handle addressing and routing.
On a private network, the network administrator can use any system for these tasks. All devices and software are controlled by one authority. However, it is important that all nodes, and especially routers, in a network use the same protocols. Otherwise, the receiver will not be able to decipher the sender’s instructions.
As there is no overall owner of the Internet, a number of conventions have evolved to ensure compatibility. Perse, there is only one routing protocol used for the Internet and that is the Border Gateway Protocol.
Their key notable differences:
- A network is usually present within a restricted geographical location such as an institute or home. Whereas, the Internet is broader and ranges from one country to another.
- People who are part of a network get to interact with each other from face to face as they are in the
- same location but the people on the internet do not always get to interact with each other because more than 200 countries are part of it.
- The Internet allows people to access the web and get more information about things around the world. Whereas a network helps in connecting people together.
- The main types of a network are Local Area Networks, Wide Area Networks, Campus Area Networks, and Home Area Networks.
Uniquely, a network connects computers, or other devices (like printers and fax machines) together with either cable or wirelessly by radio or infrared signals. Below is a comparison diagram between the two components;
In other words, the main purpose of a network is to make information at one point available at another. A network doesn’t have to be only for computers. As an example, the analog telephone system is a network.
What Is Intranet?
An Intranet is a private network that can only be accessed by authorized users. The prefix “intra” means “internal.” And, therefore, it implies an intranet is designed for internal communications. For example, a business may create an intranet to allow employees to securely share messages and files with each other.
Some intranets are limited to a specific local area network (LAN), while others can be accessed from remote locations over the Internet. Local intranets are generally the most secure since they can only be accessed from within the network. In order to access an intranet over a wide area network (WAN), you typically need to enter login credentials.
Intranets serve many different purposes, but their primary objective is to facilitate internal communication. For example, a business may create an intranet to allow employees to securely share messages and files with each other. It also provides a simple way for system administrators to broadcast messages and roll out updates to all workstations connected to the intranet.
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Most intranet solutions provide a web-based interface for users to access. This interface provides information and tools for employees and team members. It may include calendars, project timelines, task lists, confidential files, and a messaging tool for communicating with other users.
The intranet website is commonly called a portal and can be accessed using a custom intranet URL. If the intranet is limited to a local network, it will not respond to external requests. Examples of intranet services include Microsoft SharePoint, Huddle, Igloo, and Jostle.
While some services are open source and free of charge, most intranet solutions require a monthly fee. The cost is usually related to the number of users within the intranet.
Why Do You Need A Network Or Internet Connection?
Technically, Satellite, Wireless, and Public Wi-Fi can all connect remote workers to the internet. On one side, Satellite Internet offers solid speeds in remote locations without broadband access, but it’s expensive to take it on the road.
On the other side, Wireless Internet is the fastest option for work on the go, with average download speeds of 71.9 Mbps. At the same time, Public Wi-Fi is readily available in most places, but speeds are just 3.3 Mbps on average.
The Key Benefits of a Reliable Network include:
- Networks provide a fast and effective method for sharing & transferring files
- The network version of most software programs is available at considerable savings as compared to buying seat-licensed copies for each of them.
- You don’t need to load all the software on every computer. Instead, load in the primary server and use it on every computer connected to the network.
- Easy connectivity and fast communication
- Internet Access Sharing
- Helps you in performance enhancement and load balancing
In reality, the COVID-19 pandemic altered every aspect of life in 2020, forcing much of the country to work, learn and connect digitally for the first time ever. As the world returns to a more normal setting in the future, one of the pandemic’s ripple effects is already clear.
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And that’s; remote work (i.e. working from home) isn’t going anywhere. The only requirement is a reliable internet connection. Of course, Wireless is the fastest option, but most carriers have data caps. So, why do you need an Internet connection?
The network provides connectivity between computers and devices within a restricted range. In this system, only one entity is controlled or authorized to manage the entire system. Below are some reasons why you need an Internet connection.
The Key Benefits of a Reliable Internet include:
- The Internet is a network of computers at different locations around the world.
- Allows you to send an email message from every location
- Helps you to send or receive files between different computers
- Using the Internet, you can participate in discussion groups, such as mailing lists and newsgroups.
- It allows all small, medium, and large size businesses to sell their products with fewer investments.
- Makes information available worldwide. So there’s no need to look for a good book in different libraries, as you can search for information over the Internet.
- Again, it helps you updated with the latest news and technologies.
- It helps us meet people with the same interests in communities, forums, chats, websites, etc.
- Easesens bills payment by facilitating bill payment online with the credit card and saves us time spent standing up in the queue.
Final Thoughts,
The Internet of Everything (IoE) is the integration of people, processes, data, and things into networked connections. It’s basically the Internet of Things combined with data from humans, business processes, and data structures. Not to mention, IoE is picking up quickly and we can see good potential for future growth and development.
Basically, Private Networks are interconnected through the Internet. This enables the sharing of information and eases commerce through the transaction of processes like ordering and payment. Academics and engineers are better able to collaborate and share information by connecting their networks together over the Internet.
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Whilst, Private Networks enable companies to encourage collaboration within the organization without making proprietary data publicly available. Conversely, the internet is a technology that links these small and large networks with each other and builds a more extensive network.
Moreover, the geographic area covered by the network can span up to a country. Whereas the internet can link countries or continents and even more than that.
Finally, I hope the above-revised guide on the Internet vs Network was useful in expounding your general. Be that as it may, you can see more related Basic Home Network And Internet Components, Devices, and Services in detail.
But, if you’ll have questions affiliated with the topic above on Internet vs Network vs Intranet, please feel free to Contact Us and let us know how we can help. You can also share your thoughts and inputs in our comments section below this article.
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