<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)
Nearby terms:
serialise « serialize « serial line « Serial Line Internet Protocol » Serial Line IP » Serial Peripheral Interface » serial port
