SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol)

SLIP is a packet framing Protocol, it defines a sequence of characters that frame IP packets on a serial line. It provides no addressing, packet type identification, error detection/correction, or compression mechanisms. It is used for the same purpose as PPP, which is the encapsulation of IP packages over Modem lines. SLIP does not have PPP’s configuration negotiation or Authentication schemes, which can make the configuration of SLIP connections more complicated.

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.

It is commonly used on dedicated serial links and dial-up connections that operate at speeds between 1200bps and 19.2Kbps or higher.