8.1 Basic Networking Knowledge
8.1.6 IP, IPX, and NetBEUI and associate them with their functions
Internet Protocol (IP)

Internet Protocol (IP) is a routable protocol, which works on the Network Layer of the OSI Model and the Internet layer of the TCP/IP Model. IP provides packet delivery and addressing for source and destination. Connectionless IP, working together with the connection-oriented TCP, are the de facto protocol standards of the Internet.

Because IP is a connectionless service, it is unreliable and does not guarantee the delivery of data or the order in which it was sent. However, unlike a connection-oriented protocols, such as TCP or HTTP, which can be slow when delivering packets, IP provides a fast delivery of data.

Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX)

Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX) is a connectionless routable protocol, which also works on the Network layer of the OSI Model and the Internet Layer of the TCP/IP model. It is responsible for handling the broadcasting issues particular to NetWare. While most commonly used for a Novell NetWare network, IPX can also be used for Windows NT networks.

IPX is very efficient, scalable with no performance issues, contains no addressing problems, and is capable of being used with Ethernet (1500 byte packet size) and Token Ring (4000 byte packet size) networks using the proper Network Interface Card (NIC) drivers. However, IPX is largely being replaced by the IP protocol.

NetBIOS Extended User Interface (NetBEUI)

NetBEUI, which is commonly used for smaller LANs, is a non-routable protocol and operates on the Network and Transport Layers of the OSI model. Because NetBEUI is a non-routable protocol, it is quick and easy to configure. Configuration is minimal once NetBEUI is installed and bound to a network adapter. However, since it is non-routable, it cannot participate in Internet communications and is therefore limited in its usefulness and scalability.

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