Glossary

IPX/SPX: Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX) is a networking protocol used by the Novell NetWare operating systems. It is a datagram protocol used for connectionless communications. Sequenced Packet Exchange (SPX) is a transport layer protocol (layer 4 of the OSI Model) also used in Novell NetWare networks. The SPX layer sits on top of the IPX layer (layer 3) and provides connection-oriented services between two nodes on the network. SPX is used primarily by client/server applications. Whereas the IPX protocol is similar to IP, SPX is similar to TCP. Therefore, IPX/SPX together provides a connection services similar to TCP/IP. It is routable and can be used to create large professional networks. Usually, it is not used in home-networks, unless explicitly required by some computer games.

TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is the suite of communications protocols used to connect hosts on the Internet. It utilizes several protocols (the two main ones being TCP and IP). TCP/IP is built into the UNIX operating system and is used by the Internet, making it the de facto standard for transmitting data over networks.

NetBEUI: NetBios Enhanced User Interface is an enhanced version of the NetBIOS protocol used by network operating systems such as LAN Manager, LAN Server, Windows 95/NT and Windows for Workgroups. This is considered to be a very fast protocol as long as the computer name and workgroup are defined correctly and is a good choice for small home-networks. However it is not routable, it can not be used to connect networks in different locations and it is not supported by Microsoft on Windows XP.