OpenGL-based programs must link with the libGL library. libGL implements the GLX interface as well as the main OpenGL API entrypoints. When using indirect rendering, libGL creates GLX protocol messages and sends them to the X server via a socket. When using direct rendering, libGL loads the appropriate 3D DRI driver then dispatches OpenGL library calls directly to that driver.
Refer to: http://dri.sourceforge.net/doc/DRIintro.html for more details.