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Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange (IPX/SPX)
is the protocol suite employed originally by NovellŽ Corporations
Network Operating System, NetWareŽ. It delivers functions similar to
those included in TCP/IP. In order to enable desktop client systems to
access NetWare services, Novell deployed a set of application,
transport, and network protocols. Although NetWare client/server
systems are not tied to particular hardware platforms, the native, or
original, NetWare protocols remained proprietary. Unlike TCP/IP, the
Novell IPX/SPX protocol suite remained the property of one company. As
a result of the market pressure to move to an industry standard way of
building networks, IPX/SPX has fallen into disfavor among customers.
Novell in its current releases supports the TCP/IP suite. There
remains, however, a large installed base of NetWare networks that
continue to use IPX/SPX.
Common examples of some of the protocol elements included in the Novell IPX/SPX protocol suite include:
A detailed discussion of the role and functions played by these protocol elements in networking and internetworking are not within the scope of this chapter.
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