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IPX - Internetwork Packet Exchange

Enhanced Definition

IPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange) is a network layer protocol primarily associated with Novell NetWare networks, designed for routing packets between nodes on a local area network (LAN). While not a native or commonly used protocol within the IBM z/OS environment itself, it historically facilitated communication between Novell NetWare clients and mainframe resources through protocol conversion gateways.

Key Characteristics

- Connectionless Protocol: IPX is a datagram-based protocol, meaning it sends packets independently without establishing a dedicated connection, relying on higher-layer protocols like SPX for reliable delivery.
- Novell NetWare Native: It was the foundational network protocol for Novell NetWare operating systems, providing file, print, and application services to client workstations.
- Network Layer (OSI Model): Operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model, responsible for logical addressing and routing packets across different network segments.
- Address Structure: Uses a unique 80-bit network address (32-bit network number, 48-bit node address derived from the MAC address) for routing.
- Limited Mainframe Relevance: Unlike TCP/IP or SNA, IPX is not natively supported by z/OS; any interaction with a mainframe typically required a specialized gateway or protocol converter to translate IPX traffic into a z/OS-understandable protocol like TCP/IP or SNA.

Use Cases

- Legacy Client Access to Mainframe: In older environments, Novell NetWare clients running IPX might have accessed mainframe applications (e.g., 3270 terminal emulation) or data through a gateway device that translated IPX requests into SNA or TCP/IP sessions for the mainframe.
- Data Exchange via Middleware: Some legacy middleware or application bridges might have existed to allow applications running on Novell NetWare servers (using IPX) to exchange data with mainframe applications, with the protocol conversion handled by the middleware layer.
- Historical Network Integration: While rare, in highly heterogeneous environments, IPX-based networks might have existed in parallel with mainframe networks, requiring careful planning for any inter-network communication, almost always involving a translation layer.

Related Concepts

IPX stands in stark contrast to TCP/IP, which is the predominant and natively supported network protocol on modern z/OS systems for all forms of network communication. Unlike SNA (Systems Network Architecture), which is IBM's own comprehensive network architecture for mainframes, IPX

The term "IQ - Intelligence Quotient" is a concept from psychology used to measure human cognitive abilities. It does not have a specific or direct technical meaning, usage, or implementation within the IBM mainframe, z/OS, COBOL, JCL, or enterprise computing ecosystem.

Therefore, I cannot generate a glossary entry for "IQ - Intelligence Quotient" that adheres to the requested mainframe/z/OS context and technical structure.

Please provide a term that is relevant to mainframe and z/OS technologies for me to generate a glossary entry.