INTRANET
Design and Implementation of a Corporate Intranet
Additional resources:
CIO WebBusiness Developing Your Intranet Strategy The xNet Files - how leading companies are making the
web work in business. Web Business Forum- discussion group Cyberatlas Information on Intranets Netscape's White Paper, Press Clippings and other
information Digital's Enterprise Web
- overview of internal Web within Digital Equipment Corp.
Intranet ResourcesIntranet Resources
Intranet Resources
Books
White Papers and Reports
Applications
Discussion Areas
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- 1. Where can i find this FAQ ?
- Right here on the web at http://www.intrack.com/intranet/ifaq.shtml For text file click here Intranet FAQ
Intranet Basics
- Q2.1 What is an Intranet ?
An Intranet is the use of Internet technologies within an organization (or company) to achieve better results than the conventional means of data access and transfer. Intranet helps in cutting costs, easy and fast accessibility of day to day information.
- Q2.2 How is it different from "the" Internet ?
Generally speaking an Intranet is different from an Internet in the following ways:
i. Intranet is a network within the organization whereas Internet is a world wide network .
ii. Intranet has access to Internet but not vice- versa.
Q2.3 How is an intranet solution better than a groupware solution ?
- cheaper ?
- versatile ?
- flexible ?
The bottom line difference between a WWW server and "collaborative" computing
solutions such as Lotus Notes is design philosophy. Designed as a proprietary system in an
area lacking widespread connectivity, Lotus Notes uses a proprietary database structure,
which replicates data and does not provide quick access to remote databases.
Cheaper? .
The use of client browsers with one standard Window interface, offers the easy integration
with other applications, such as electronic mail, faxes, calendaring, videoconferencing,
and hot links within messages. As a single interface to a variety of information sources,
the browser is cost-effective, highly efficient, and very easy to use.
Versatile?
An Intranet server, eliminates the need to replicate database by providing users with easy
access to source data. A single WWW server platform can support Internal and External
applications for both internal information - sharing and external marketing on the
Internet. Notes, on the other hand, is purely an internal application.
Flexible?
The Intranet enables users to centralize their information resources in a single
point-and-click environment - the browser - which is available on a variety of client
platforms (PC, Mac, Unix,etc) Content can be easily accessed by browsers on any platform,
in any location. With Notes, data distribution is in realtime, on an as-requested basis,
over a public (or private) network.
Q2.4 Is an intranet faster than getting data over the internet ?
- If the network is totally contained within a LAN, then you do get LAN speeds. i.e. the web server is connected via LAN to the client PC's.
- If you are connecting remote locations, and use the Internet as your backbone / transport, then your speed becomes dependent on the Internet itself, and the speeds by which you connect to it.
- If performance is really the issue, you could also run your Intranet over private lines, such as frame relay. Then you can actually contract with the phone company for actual performance levels of speed. i.e. 56K, 256K, etc
- Approximately Intranet operates at 10mbs - 100mbs internal and 28.8k for remote access employees.
- After working for hours on the Intranet, the Internet is painfully slow at 28.8k or
14.4k from home. You WILL be surprised at the difference client machine speed makes on
Intranet LAN-based access.
It is not network bandwidth always, client speed very important!
- Q2.5 Do I have to know CGI, Perl, Java to get started on my Intranet project ?
No. But knowing some or all of the above will certainly help you down the road.
- Q3.1 Can you setup an Intranet without a TCP/IP connection ? HOW ?
If you are running Netscape Navigator to review how the pages look on my local machine try using a freeware dll file called mozilla.dll.
You can perfectly be using the Netscape web browser links that reference local files. Instead of being a link like "http://www.foobar.com/index.shtmll" you get a link that looks like "file:\\c:\website\index.shtml". All links, references to graphics files, and everything else works fine. This would not necessarily apply to interactive features that use cgi scripts, java, etc. (although there might be a way to get these to work also).
Consequently, it would seem that using this approach, you could set up a basic Intranet without webserver software, and without running tcp/ip stacks. Just put all the html files up on the Novell server, make sure that everybody's drives are mapped to a common standard , outfit all the clients with Netscape and Mozilla, and you've got a basic Intranet.
Note : If you want to do fancy java scripts, forms using cgi, etc., this might not work. Nononyx proposes softare that run under IPX/SPX.
- Q3.2 Can you setup an Intranet without a Web server ?
Yes. You can have your web browser point to the html files stored on a local drive. However you would probably need a server for more dynamic applications like forms, cgi, java etc.
- Q3.3 What is a firewall ? Where can i get more info on firewalls ?
A firewall is any one of several ways of protecting one network from another untrusted network. The actual mechanism whereby this is accomplished varies widely, but inprinciple, the firewall can be thought of as a pair of mechanisms: one which exists to block traffic, and the other which exists to permit traffic. Some firewalls place agreater emphasis on blocking traffic, while others emphasize permitting traffic.Refer to the firewall FAQ at:
http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/firewalls-faq/faq.html
for more information.
- Q3.4 What are the hardware and software components of an intranet
?
IP Network
HTTP Server
SMTP/POP3/IMAP4 Server
LDAP Server
X509 Certificate Server
Java ORB
Document Server
- Q3.5 Can I run an Intranet on a Novell Netware based network ?
Yes. A simple setup can involve simple placing all your html files on a shared network drive and having your users point their browsers to this directory. ex. f:\intranet\home.htm
If you need to support more advanced applications based in CGI, Java etc you will need to setup a web server. This can be TCP/IP based server. You can get Novells Web Server (link to www.novell.com) or any one of the servers available in the market.
- Q3.6 Is an Intranet simply a type of client-server system ?
Loosely defined Yes. You can also interpret an Intranet solution as being a superset of client server systems. Some people refer to an Intranet solution as a "thin" client based client server system. Yet others say Intranets are client-server systems done right. Take your pick
- Q3.7 What convention should we use for assigning IP addresses on
an Intranet ?
The official document from Internic on conventions for assignment of IP addresses for Intranets.
http://www.internic.net/rfc/rfc1597.txt
- Q3.8 Policies on Intranet
Q. What type of policy and procedures should be implemented in and intranet? Anyone have a set they can share??A. Look at standard Network security policy. A intranet is only the application of Internet technology on a private network.
You need to look at who can setup a serverWho controls and maintains the information presented.Who has what level of access to what data.Some of the Security news groups and web servers have good references. Not many people are willing to publish their security policy.
- Q3.9 Platform for Intranets
Q. We're students, and we're planning to set up an Intranet. What platform do you think is the most appropiate for a ... lets say about 100 users?A. You will probably need some more information on your environment to decide on the platform. Besides the number of users consider the following factors when considering hardware and software for your intranets.
Network topology
Server Operating system (UNIX v/s NT)
Client workstation types
Potential uses of the intranet
Potential traffic and bandwidth requirements
Existing browser and other legacy systems
Based on some or most of this information you will be able to narrow down to a few vendors and technologies. Remember the advantage of an intranet solution is that you can "mix-and-match". You aren't tied down to a particular vendor or a specific software. Keep an open mind. Do your research. Always keep the users in mind.
- Q4.1 Question for Small Firms: Can Intranet and Internet Coexist ?
Can Intranet and Internet Coexist ?
- Q4.2 Can u list some books on intranets ?
books on intranets
- Q4.3 What is an Extranet? How this is any different from intranet
?
Loosely defined, an extranet is an intranet extended beyond the corporate boundaries. When selective access is provided to entities outside the organization and intranet becomes an extranet. For ex. if your company allows its suppliers, clients etc. to have access to your intranet, its an extranet. Access would of course be restricted by security means like userids and passwords, encryption techniques etc.
- Q4.4 Mac & TCP/IP
Q. Can you connect Mac and Win95 using TCP/IP? I have a Mac and Win95 machines and want to connect those two. Is it possible? How much will it cost to do that?A. If both machines have Ethernet connectivity, then you have all the things you need.
Both must have a Ethernet adapter and cables connecting the two. Then, get a web server or FTP server software for either computer. There are some free servers out on the Internet, check out www.shareware.com.Now that one of the computers can be a server, the other needs client software to access the server.
- Q4.5 Intranet on bibliography
Q. I would like to know if and how Intranet can be used for bibliographic instruction?A. If bibliographic instruction can be put on a web server, then Yes!
IntraNets are the application of Internet technology to a private network. A web server just for employee use is an example.
- Q4.6 Configure MAC & PC
Q. How do you configure the clients of both MAC and PC running TCP/IP ?
Netmask ?? 255.255.255.0 ?
How about DNS ?
How about IP addresses ?
A. This reply assumes a network with only these two computers.
Netmask of 255.255.255.0 is appropriate. This mask allows 254 computers on the same network segment. You don't want it any larger and smaller would be a hassle.
IP address are up to you BUT, if you pick a address that is in use on the Internet, your computer can't access a computer with the same address on the Internet. RFC 1597 recommends a address in the range of 176.16.x.x , where x is a number between 1 and 254.
DNS server is not necessary for a 2 computer network, use a host file on each computer instead. An example hosts file is in the Mac's System folder and HOSTS.SAM in your windows directory.
To best reply, I need to know how many computers and how are they networked now. If these computers are not connected to the Internet, use the range "RFC 1597 Private Addresses" suggests - 176.16.x.x with a netmask of 255.255.255.0 (x = 1-254). You can still uses the RFC 1597 address when you connect to the Internet. But your firewall must provide network address translation. (It's a common feature)
For a medium network of computers you will need a DNS server. You can get software for Windows 3 , Win95, and WinNT to run a DNS server on a PC. Any Unix computer will run DNS also. I haven't seen DNS servers for Macs, but I haven't looked recently.
- Q4.7 Browsers & protocols
Q. Does any of the Web Browsers uses protocols other than TCP/IP, like NETBUI, AppleTalk etc, for their communication between the browser and the HTTP servers?A. To my knowledge, all browsers use TCP/IP as that is the protocol of the Web/Internet. You may want to post your question to the newsgroup comp.infosystems.www.browsers.misc, but first check their FAQ at http://www.boutell.com/faq/ DNS is a common protocol. Any computer with a DNS client can request DNS information from and DNS server - regardless of what kind of computers they are.
Your network manager should know these details. If you are the network manager, you should start reading up on TCP/IP networking. Microsoft has some good papers on TCP/IP on their web site. Go to www.mircosoft.com and search for TCP/IP Name Resolution.
DISCLAIMER-- This advice is based on common assumptions and may not be the best for your network (esp. if you have Routers or more than 200 computers). Seek the advice of professionals who will fully investigate your needs. This advice is free and is limited to a simple reply to an email request. If you need more help, reply to me and I'll send you a longer email with some detailed questions.
- Q4.8 Easy way to HTML conversion
Q. As a large corporation we have hundreds of reports that are printed from our mainframe, Lan's, etc.. These reports are written in various languages and run frequently. Most corporations are interested in exploring the possibility of putting this output on their Intranet. But how would they do this without modifying every single program to wrap HTML code around it? Or somehow storing the output as an image file through some sort of driver?A. We have been doing some research on similar grounds. The best I have been able to come up with so far is that some reporting tools (crystal reports, MS Access report writer etc.) are now providing an option where you can send the output to an HTML file instead of the printer.
Top lessons we've learned about larger-scale internal Web deployment:
- Web use has a very different dynamic than other services - publishing and browsing are much easier, base technology is simpler, so many will use it. The key issue that will need to be addressed is who in the business is responsible for information published by the business.
- Your focus will need to be on how to sustain this work over the long term, and for many people. Getting started may be easy. Keeping it going will be a challenge.
- A combination of risk-taking, planning and ongoing attention are needed.
- Focusing on one or two groups (at least to start) helps to simplify/focus.
- This is more than just a technical challenge, and will require a cross-functional team.
- End users want it to be as simple and straight-forward as possible, and won't share your enthusiasm for details, neat tools.
- Anticipate new roles and skills - information finder, information seekers, information designers, graphics people, integration experts. Look for these people in unusual places.
- Keep up with the constant changes in technology. Use it only when you need to.
- Continually push thinking - see how others are using new tools (e.g personalized newspapers, subscriptions, audio, movie, new categories....)
- Sell, sell, sell - be an evangelist! Listen to what people need! "Just do it!"
Sample Web Applications
There are a wide variety of Web-based applications, ranging from static document access systems to data base access systems and systems that help corporations capture and manage knowledge. Here is a sample of some of the internal applications we have found:
Product Information
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Knowledge Preservation
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Every day we see new uses for the Web, or new tools being introduced that will let us do something new. These are some of the existing applications. Some of these are new applications that take advantage of the Web, while others are gateways to existing applications.