IPX / SPX

IPX/SPX (lnternetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange) is a Novell NetWare communications protocol used to route messages from one end to another. It is the major network protocol used by Novell NetWare, and about 40 percent of all installed LAN (local area networks) use this protocol.

IPX/SPX has two parts, and is similar to TCP/IP. SPX controls the transport layer in the OSI model. It guarantees that an entire message arrives intact. IPX manages the role of the network layer in the OSI model and is used as delivery mechanism for SPX. IPX/SPX can be linked with many other protocols.