What defines an extranet?

An extranet is defined as a network that extends some of the capabilities of an intranet to external users. This means it provides limited access to external users, which can include business partners, vendors, or customers, while still maintaining a level of security and privacy. The purpose of an extranet is to facilitate collaboration and communication between an organization and its external stakeholders without compromising the confidentiality of internal information. This setup allows for sharing specific data and services with selected outsiders while managing access permissions, thus differing significantly from an intranet that is strictly for internal users only.