IPX

Stands for "Internetwork Packet Exchange." (I didn't know "exchange" started with an "x" either...) It is a networking protocol used to connect networks based on Novell's NetWare. IPX is connectionless, meaning it doesn't require connections to be maintained during an exchange of packets as, like a phone call does. Another nice thing about IPX is that it usually only loads when you log on to a network, so it doesn't take up unnecessary resources. As many video game players know, IPX used to be the standard connection for network games, but the TCP/IP protocol, which allows for long distance network gaming, has now become the clear leader.