Implementing Extranets: The Internet as a Virtual Private Network
How to lay the groundwork for extranet applications.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Implementing Extranets: The Internet as a Virtual Private Network
Chapter 10: Future Challenges and Directions of Extranets
Chapter Objectives
This chapter explores future challenges and directions of extranets. Since attempting to predict the future especially the future of technology is a very risky business, this chapter discusses those things that are mostly like to influence the future direction of extranets rather than trying to predict that future itself. Thus, this chapter discusses:
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How corporate, government, and academic research and development are likely to influence extranets.
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Technology drivers of extranet growth, i.e., infrastructure and enabling technologies.
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Economic drivers of extranet growth.
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What creates and makes a community of extranet users grow.
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The stages of growth of a community of extranet users.
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What extranet owners and sponsors can do to help create and grow a community of extranet users.
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Potential conflicts between extranet owners or sponsors and extranet users.
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Things that you can do now to prepare for the future.
Let's start by looking at the role of different segments of society in funding and supporting research and development. After all, these institutions played a major role in developing Internet technology, perhaps they will play a major role in the future direction of extranets as well.
The Role of Corporations, Government, and Academia
Corporations, Government, and Academia have played a significant role in research and development, especially in Internet research and development (see Note 10.1). They are likely to play a significant role in extranet research and development in the future. Although these institutions have played a significant role in supporting research and development that lead to the Internet,...
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