Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Serial Line Internet 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)