Introduction
Because the internet is a public network and can be accessed by anyone, it has become a breeding ground for various forms of malicious software. Both the Intranet and the VPN provide a solution to this problem. They both provide a secure location, but their goals are different, and they also give users a variety of various tools to assist them in achieving their goals.
Both intranets and virtual private networks (VPNs) are examples of technologies that are often used in corporate settings. It is essential to keep in mind that an intranet is just a term that is used to describe an internal network that imitates the Internet, whereas a VPN, which stands for virtual private network, is a technique that allows a user to connect to a network from a remote location while giving the impression that they are connected locally.
Intranet vs VPN
The most significant distinction between an intranet and a virtual private network, or VPN, is that an intranet is a network intended for use by the whole enterprise, while a VPN is primarily intended for personal use and enjoyment on the internet. When connecting to an intranet, it is not necessary to go over a public network; however, connecting to a VPN is required.
A company's internal network is referred to as its "Intranet." It is separate from the internet, which is a public resource that anybody may access. When companies choose to implement an intranet, they have access to a secure online location where employees can interact with one another and cooperate on projects. It is far safer than using public networks, and the information that is private to the organization is not shared with anybody else.
A network that is more secure than the internet, which is a wider public network, is known as a virtual private network (VPN). If you connect to a virtual private network (VPN), both your identity and location will remain concealed and will not be revealed. A virtual private network (VPN) is an excellent option for anybody who wishes to feel more secure as they browse the web.
An intranet is simply a local network that makes use of the same technologies that the internet does (such as HTTP, SMTP, and FTP) to streamline processes, which in turn makes it much simpler and more convenient for members of an organization to access resources and share information. When administrators make use of the aforementioned technologies, it becomes much simpler for them to give various degrees of access in a way that is already recognizable to the vast majority of users. On the other hand, virtual private networks (VPNs) were developed in response to a need for low-cost and risk-free communication between workplaces located in different locations. Before the invention of VPN, leased lines were the only safe but also a highly costly option for accomplishing this goal.
Due to the likelihood that the origin and the destination of the data will not be located in the same geographic region, a virtual private network (VPN) will forward the data across a more extensive public network, such as the Internet. Encryptions are applied to render the data 'unreadable' to protect it from being obtained by prying eyes. Because the computers that make up an intranet are often placed near one another, there is generally very little need to make use of the Internet and implement intricate encryption protocols.
Because it is exclusive to the local area network, neither users nor the intranet may access this website. It simply does not belong to any of those networks (LAN). This service is inaccessible to anybody who is not a subscriber to the Local Area Network (LAN). The Extranet makes it possible to visit intranets online, but direct access to an intranet cannot be gained over the Extranet. A virtual private network is what's meant when people talk about VPNs.
Difference Between Intranet and VPN in Tabular Form
| Parameters of Comparison | Intranet | VPN |
| Definition | An intranet may be thought of as a network. | A virtual private network, or VPN, is a method that allows users to connect to remote computers. |
| Accessing public network | Going via a public network is not required to connect to an intranet. | A virtual private network (VPN) has to transit over a public network. |
| Identity | Your identity will not be concealed by doing so. | It will conceal your identity when you are using a public network. |
| Users | This service is available for use by a whole organization. | This is intended to satisfy the requirements of a single individual. |
| Remote connection | It is unable to remotely access any devices. | It can access computers from a distant location. |
What is Intranet?
One way to explain what an intranet is would be to call it a kind of a computer network. It is used for information dissemination. When you utilize the intranet, communication inside the company also becomes much simpler. It is the property of a certain organization, and members of the public are not permitted any access to it. In addition, collaborative tools and operational systems are often included in an intranet.
One of the simplest ways to explain what an intranet is and what it does is to state that it is the antithesis of public networks like the internet. While the Intranet is a closed network, the Internet is open to the whole public. The technology and the protocol that is employed in the two are identical in every other respect.
The techniques used by local area networks (LANs) constitute the basis for the technologies that make up the Intranet. It provides a point of access to both internal and external resources, and it comes standard. You may find search engines, mobile applications, and even user profiles in many of today's most cutting-edge intranets. Over many years, the whole system has become quite well organized.
Within an organization, information will be dispersed over the Intranet according to the requirements of the users. As a result, anyone who is not intended to know about a certain aspect will continue to be in the dark about it. There will be no communication breakdowns or breakdowns in access inside the organization since everyone will have access to the database.
An organization may establish a private network known as an intranet to safely disseminate information about the business and provide workers with access to computer resources. Teleconferences and group projects are two more ways that an intranet may be put to use.
Intranets are designed to foster communication among employees of a company. Employees can quickly access vital information, connections, apps, and databases containing the company's records thanks to these tools. It is common to practice to keep the security of an intranet in place by using a database that contains all of the usernames of workers who are granted access to the network.
What is VPN?
As was just established, the internet is a public network, and with that status comes several characteristics that make it susceptible to attack. The Virtual Private Network, often known as VPN, was developed as a solution to this problem so that users could remain secure while navigating the wide and dangerous waters of the internet. It is a private network that exists inside of the internet, which is a public network that is much bigger.
You will be granted access to a certain network if you use a virtual private network (VPN). Take, as an example, the scenario in which your firm maintains a local network. With the aid of a virtual private network (VPN), you will be able to access any device that is linked to the network in question.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) may potentially mask your true identity. When you surf the internet with it, it might act as a curtain and conceal your true identity from other people. It can give the appearance that you have relocated to a different location than where you are, and as a consequence, your actual position will be concealed as a result of the procedure. This takes happens as a result of your IP address being modified. Therefore, not only is it highly safe, but it also helps to conceal who you are.
However, if you are connected to a local area network (LAN) and utilizing a virtual private network (VPN), the only files you will be able to view are those that have already been shared on the network. To enable remote access, the necessary resources need to be prepared in advance.
A virtual private network, or VPN, conceals your IP address by directing all of your network traffic via a distant server that is specifically configured and managed by the VPN host. If you browse the web while connected to a virtual private network (VPN), then the server of the VPN becomes the origin of the data you collect. Because of this, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and other third parties are unable to monitor the websites you visit or the data you transmit and receive while you are connected to the internet. A virtual private network (VPN) is comparable to a filter that transforms all of your data into gibberish. Even if someone were to steal your data and use it against you, they would be wasting their time.
Main Differences Between Intranet and VPN in Tabular Form
- A network is the same thing as an intranet. To be more specific, it is a private network; nevertheless, a virtual private network, or VPN, is a method that will enable you to remotely access a computer that is located in another location.
- On the one hand, we can see that moving across the public network is not a must to use the intranet. This is an important distinction. However, in the context of VPN, it is required.
- Accessing a device that is situated in a remote location is the primary function of a virtual private network (VPN), which cannot be done with an intranet since that is not its goal.
- An organization's internal network, known as the intranet, does not conceal the identity of the user; on the other hand, a virtual private network, or VPN, may protect both the user's identity and location.
- However, a virtual private network (VPN) is configured in such a manner that it can only be accessed by a single user at a time, while an intranet is designed for usage by the whole enterprise.
- Although it is possible to establish intranets via a virtual private network (VPN), not all intranets do so.
- Low staff productivity is directly linked to a negative intranet user experience.
- A virtual private network (VPN) makes use of a public network that is analogous to a local area network (LAN). However, rather than making use of the LAN itself, it makes use of the Internet or another private network.
Conclusion
Both private intranets and virtual private networks (VPNs) see extensive usage in the corporate world. However, a virtual private network (VPN) is also an excellent tool for individual usage. The goal of the intranet is the same as that of the internet. However, VPN does not do the same function. A virtual private network, or VPN, is a network that is private yet is located inside a public network, such as the internet.
You can conceal your location and access a computer in another area when you use a virtual private network or VPN. The intranet gives you access to all of the same resources that are available to you on the internet. One may describe it as a private network that operates similarly to public ones. It is common to practice to route intranet traffic over a virtual private network (VPN) tunnel. Doing so brings the two networks together, allowing users to access all of the services at the same time. It will only have a local connection.
Although it is not required to access the Internet to have a fully functioning intranet, doing so may enhance the usefulness of the intranet. [Case in point:] [Case in point:] [Case in point:] [Ca This is often accomplished via tunneling the Intranet over a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which enables distant users to continue accessing the Intranet's resources as if they were connected locally. Because the data would be automatically encrypted after it went via the VPN and then decrypted when it reached its destination, there is no need to add any additional security measures to the Intranet. Once you have successfully established a connection, gaining access to the intranet over a virtual private network (VPN) is identical to gaining access to the intranet locally.
References
- http://www.hjp.at/doc/rfc/rfc4093.html
- https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/1714/1/012045/meta
