Enterprise networks: What does an intranet provide in terms of customer connectivity, and how does it differ from an extranet or the public Internet?

Introduction / Context:
Organizations segment network access by audience. An intranet is designed for employees and trusted internal devices. In contrast, an extranet selectively exposes resources to partners or customers, while the public Internet is open to anyone.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Standard definitions of intranet, extranet, and Internet.
• Security policies restrict intranet access to internal users.
• No customer access unless explicitly provided through an extranet or public site.

Concept / Approach:
An intranet is a private network that uses Internet technologies (HTTP, TCP/IP) but is scoped to an organization’s internal use. Because of this internal scope, customers are not granted access. When limited, external access is desired for customers or partners, organizations typically implement an extranet or authenticated portals on Internet-facing systems.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Review typical enterprise network diagrams; intranets are behind firewalls, accessible via VPN or on-prem networks for staff, not customers.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• All customers / selected customers: describes Internet/extranet scenarios, not intranet.
• All of the above: mutually inconsistent cases.
• Partners via VPN: that is an extranet or B2B link, not a pure intranet.

Common Pitfalls:
Using the terms intranet and extranet interchangeably; forgetting that “intranet” implies internal-only access.

Final Answer:
Connectivity to no customers (internal users only)