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Ip And Ipx

February 26 2025 , by Stephanie Burrell
2 min reading time

IP and IPX are two important networking protocols that have been used for many years in the field of computer networking. IP, or Internet Protocol, is the most widely used protocol for sending and receiving data packets over a network. It is a connectionless protocol, which means that each packet is treated independently and does not require a dedicated connection between sender and receiver.

IPX, on the other hand, is a protocol developed by Novell for its NetWare operating system. It is similar to IP in that it is also a connectionless protocol, but it uses a different addressing scheme and packet format. IPX was widely used in the past for networking Novell systems, but has largely been replaced by IP in modern networks.

One of the key differences between IP and IPX is the addressing scheme used. IP addresses are 32-bit numbers that are typically written in dotted decimal notation (e.g. 192.168.1.1). These addresses are used to uniquely identify devices on a network and route packets to their intended destination. IPX addresses, on the other hand, are 80-bit numbers that are represented in hexadecimal notation. IPX addresses consist of a network number and a node number, which are used to identify both the network and the individual device on that network.

Another important difference between IP and IPX is the way in which they handle routing. IP uses a routing table to determine the best path for a packet to take through the network, based on the destination IP address. IPX, on the other hand, uses a broadcast-based routing protocol known as RIP (Routing Information Protocol) to determine the best path for a packet to take through the network. This can lead to more network traffic and slower performance compared to IP's more efficient routing algorithm.

In conclusion, while both IP and IPX are important networking protocols that have been used in the past, IP has largely supplanted IPX in modern networks due to its more efficient addressing scheme, routing algorithm, and widespread adoption. Understanding the differences between these two protocols can help network administrators make informed decisions about their network infrastructure and ensure optimal performance and reliability.