Serial Line Internet Protocol
<communications, protocol> (SLIP) Software allowing the
{Internet Protocol} (IP), normally used on {Ethernet}, to be
used over a {serial line}, e.g. an {EIA-232} {serial port}
connected to a {modem}. It is defined in {RFC} 1055.
SLIP modifies a standard {Internet} {datagram} by appending a
special SLIP END character to it, which allows datagrams to be
distinguished as separate. SLIP requires a port configuration
of 8 data bits, no {parity}, and {EIA} or {hardware flow
control}. SLIP does not provide {error detection}, being
reliant on other high-layer protocols for this. Over a
particularly error-prone {dial-up} link therefore, SLIP on its
own would not be satisfactory.
A SLIP connection needs to have its {IP address} configuration
set each time before it is established whereas {Point-to-Point
Protocol} (PPP) can determine it automatically once it has
started.
See also {SLiRP}.
(1995-04-30)