Newsgroups: comp.protocols.misc
Path: utzoo!utgpu!cunews!bnrgate!pww
From: pww@bnr.ca (Peter Whittaker)
Subject: Re: SLIP: Why are people so reluctant to use it?
Message-ID: <1990Oct17.133028.14849@bnrgate.bnr.ca>
Keywords: SLIP, UnixWorld, TCP/IP
Sender: Peter Whittaker (pww@bnr.ca)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research, Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
References: <1990Oct16.225610.3505@oracle.com>
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 90 13:30:28 GMT

In article <1990Oct16.225610.3505@oracle.com> tslee@oracle.uucp (Terry Lee) writes:

>However, it seems that everyone I ask about SLIP seems to speak ill of it,

>So in summary, is SLIP all that bad?  Are there other relatively standard
>methods of running TCP without sizable investments in hardware?

See UnixWorld, October 1989, page 85:  "TCP/IP Over Serial Lines"

(see also RFC 1055, the SLIP RFC (anon ftp to nic.ddn.mil to get it).

Quote from article:

"SLIP represents an interesting paradox.  The protocol itself is quite simple
-with some implementations taking just 24 lines of code.  On the other hand,
use of SLIP is generally limited to sites with a high concentration of UNIX   
gurus, such as universities and technical companies, because it can require
'tinkering', users say....  In short, SLIP is a classic UNIX solution - it's
quick and dirty, but it gets the job done."

Other quote (about leased line vs no leased line SLIP):

"I'm not sure if it's doable.  It's generally easiest with a leased line
installed".

(Above used without permission.  The author can be contacted on the Internet
as slf@well.uucp, sharonfisher on BIX, or 76012,1147 on CompuServe).

Note:  the Internet community is apparently working on the PPP (Point-to-Point
protocol) as a way of curing some SLIP headaches.  Anyone know PPP's status?

Hope this helps a bit.

Peter W.