Extranet - simply explained

If you work in or with a large company, you often come into contact with the extranet. In this practical tip, we explain exactly what it is.

Extranet and intranet: two inseparable terms

• The extranet is an extension of the intranet. An intranet is mostly used by companies and authorities to regulate internal matters that should not run over the public Internet.
• While the intranet only provides access to its own employees, the extranet also offers outsiders the opportunity to communicate. To understand the extranet, you should first read our definition of the intranet.

This is how the extranet works

• Like the intranet, the extranet represents an independent, isolated network. While the company's employees have access to the intranet, authorized companies such as major customers, dealers or service providers can access the extranet.
• The extranet and intranet are separate from each other, but there is a connection between the two networks. The company determines in advance which users are allowed to exchange which data between the intranet and extranet.
• The cooperating companies usually access the extranet from their locations via a VPN connection. To do this, every user needs an access code, usually in the form of a user name and password.