IP and IPX Network are similar yet at the same time different from each other. Let’s learn both of them individually first.
What is IP?
IP stands for Internet Protocol address, most commonly known as the IP address. This IP address is a numerical label which is assigned to each device which is connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for the communication.
There are two main functions of the IP address:
- Host or Network Interface Identification
- Location Addressing
The IP networks are divided into two subnetworks which are the IPv4 and the IPv6. Due to which, an IP address is recognized as consisting of two parts which are the network prefix in the high-order bits and the rest field, interface identifier (IPv6) or the host identifier are the remaining bits.
Both of these IP addresses uses the CIDR notation which can help you determine how the IP address is actually divided into network and the host parts.
What is IPX?
IPX stands for the Internetwork Packet Exchange, most commonly known as the IPX Network. The IPX is a networking protocol which was originally used by the Novell NetWare operating system but then later it was adopted by Windows. IPX works as a network layer for the IPX/SPX protocol and the SPX here is the transport layer of it.
The function of the IPX Network is similar to that of the IP Protocol and it defines how the data is sent and received between the systems. Though IPX is connectionless which means that it does not require a consistent connection for it to maintain while the packets are being sent from one system to another. Though IPX only loads when a network connection has been attempted, which means that it does not take up the unnecessary resources.
IP vs. IPX – Which is Better?
Both the IP and IPX are doing similar work for the network protocol only the way of doing it is different. So, then the question arises in every one’s mind that which one out of the two is the better on.
As well all know that both the IP and the IPX provide its users with connection services with are similar to each other. IPX was originally optimized for the LANS. The IPX address was formed with the help of the Ethernet MAC addresses and 32-bit (4-byte) network. On the other hand, the IP uses the IPv6 (interface identifier) which has the same properties as well.
IPX was not suitable for the WANS as it was not able to cope with the different frame sizes. But IP address was able to work with different frame sizes when compared to the IPX.
But not many people use the IPX anymore because of the services which they provided which were getting a little bit outdated and was not doing a proper job. Nowadays everyone has their own IP addresses, most of the people use them now instead of the IPX. IP is also considered to be the better version of the IPX as well by its users.
Now the IPX has remained as a historical curiosity for the tech people and is also in maintenance of a smaller number of the legacy system. Now you know that the IP is better than the IPX in their functions and the services provided by them.
