Handbook of Local Area Networks, 1998 Edition:Applications of LAN Technology Click Here! Search the site:   ITLibrary ITKnowledge EXPERT SEARCH Programming Languages Databases Security Web Services Network Services Middleware Components Operating Systems User Interfaces Groupware & Collaboration Content Management Productivity Applications Hardware Fun & Games EarthWeb sites Crossnodes Datamation Developer.com DICE EarthWeb.com EarthWeb Direct ERP Hub Gamelan GoCertify.com HTMLGoodies Intranet Journal IT Knowledge IT Library JavaGoodies JARS JavaScripts.com open source IT RoadCoders Y2K Info Previous Table of Contents Next 5-4The Corporate Intranet GILBERT HELD The term “intranet” commonly refers to the application of Internet technologies within an organization. Using off-the-shelf Internet-related hardware and software, organizations obtain access to thousands of products developed for the Internet. Because of the sizable market for Internet applications, intranet products are usually more economical than products developed for use in a specific mainframe environment. Thus, the use of Internet technologies within a corporate environment allows organizations to access a wide range of client/server computing products at an economical cost, often considerably below that of equivalent products developed for a proprietary mainframe-based network. This chapter explains the basics of how to construct an intranet. INTRANET OVERVIEW Unlike the Internet, which is capable of supporting more than 50 Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) applications, a corporate intranet can be tailored to the specific requirements of an organization. For example, if users need to transfer files, a file transfer protocol (FTP) application must be obtained. Similarly, the ability to provide direct point-to-point communications between individuals or groups of employees can be satisfied through the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) application, and the ability to access computer systems remotely would be satisfied through the use of a terminal emulator such as Telnet or TN3270 for access to an IBM mainframe. An intranet represents much more than installing a browser and letting users access a Web server connected to the corporate network. Although Web browsers and Web servers can play an important role in a corporate intranet, they represent just two of the many technologies that can be used on a TCP/IP network. Although an intranet represents the application of Internet technology to an internal communications network, that enterprise network can also support other non-Internet applications, such as transferring legacy SNA traffic from PCs using emulation boards or TCP/IP traffic from PCs connected to LANs. Why Create an Intranet? The rationale for creating an intranet is based on some of the same goals associated with the Internet—universal communications, reliability, standardization, increased productivity, and reduced cost. Through the use of TCP/IP, any employee on a corporate intranet can interact with any other employee. In addition, if the intranet is connected to the Internet, employees can use one set of applications for internal and external communications, thereby eliminating the necessity for employees to learn two sets of application programs. Most Internet applications have been rigorously tested in the commercial marketplace. Thus, the use of this technology in a corporate intranet provides organizations with access to highly reliable products. In comparison, proprietary products are usually not tested to the degree that Internet products are, nor do developers of proprietary communications products receive the degree of user feedback developers of Internet products do. Thus, the use of Internet technology in a corporate intranet environment results in a highly robust and more reliable product. Intranet Construction Internet applications are standardized using Request for Comment (RFC) documents that are placed in the public domain. By allowing an RFC, vendors can develop products that provide an interoperability capability, facilitate competition, and allow organizations to select required hardware and software products from a large base of existing and developing products. Standardization provides the mechanism that allows an intranet infrastructure to be constructed, restructured, and enhanced to satisfy changing organizational requirements. Because intranets represent the application of Internet technology to internal corporate networks, they can be considered TCP/IP networks. The key difference between the TCP/IP-based Internet and a corporate intranet is that the latter does not need to support all TCP/IP applications, nor does it have to exclusively transmit TCP/IP (see Exhibit 5-4-1). Exhibit 5-4-1.  The TCP/IP Protocol Suite Previous Table of Contents Next Use of this site is subject certain Terms & Conditions. Copyright (c) 1996-1999 EarthWeb, Inc.. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of EarthWeb is prohibited. Please read our privacy policy for details.