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TITLE
Mac OS 9.1: Services Location Protocol (SLP) Changes
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Article ID:
Created:
Modified:
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106106
1/8/01
6/12/01
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TOPIC
Mac OS 9.1 introduces a changes to Services Location Protocol (SLP) behavior intended to eliminate confusion between domain names and network neighborhoods.
DISCUSSION
Services Location Protocol (SLP) facilitates the discovery and advertisement of TCP/IP-based services. Services such as Personal File Sharing, Personal Web Sharing, and USB Printer Sharing which advertise themselves on networks via SLP are viewable in the Network Browser and in Navigation Services.
In Mac OS 9.0.x, the network neighborhood (also know as SLP "scope") was defined by entering a domain or subdomain name in the TCP/IP control panel within the "Search domains" field. This manner of definition incorrectly suggested that scope naming must be tied to a particular domain name or should follow the naming convention associated with a domain name.
Rather, SLP scopes may be arranged according to meaningful information about their members. An SLP directory agent (DA) could specify a scope based on a logical or physical grouping. A scope, for example, could logically associate all resources pertinent to financial management with a "Finance" scope. Alternatively, resources within a scope may be associated with a physical locale such as a "Honolulu."
To eliminate confusing suggestions or assumptions about ties between TCP/IP domain names and SLP scopes, Mac OS 9.1 stores the SLP scope in an SLP Preferences file located in the Preferences folder. Scope is no longer defined in the TCP/IP control panel.
Note:
When a version of Mac OS 9.0.x is updated to Mac OS 9.1, the "Search domains" field ceases its definition of SLP scope. The pre-existing scope is not automatically converted to the new SLP Preferences format. Instead, North American English and International English versions of Mac OS 9.1 use the Local Services as the default for computers that have not been configured otherwise.
Setting a new scope in Mac OS 9.1
The SLP Scope remains easily configurable via an AppleScript in the USB Printer Sharing section of Mac Help.
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Choose Mac Help from the Help menu.
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Search for the article "Sharing a USB printer."
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In that article, click the link to "Set my network neighborhood."
Notes:
1. A blank Mac Help window will remain open on your screen and may safely be closed after using the configuration script.
2. The SLPPlugin must be present and active. You can verify this in the Extensions Manager control panel.
Network administrators: setting scope via DHCP
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a common method for offering configuration information to client computers. When Mac OS 9.1 clients are set up to configure using a DHCP server, network administrators may use the SLP Service Scope Option (DHCP option code 79) to specify the SLP scope in which the client machines should register their services.
For more information on Network Services Location Services such as SLP, please see:
Article 24691: "
Network Services Location (NSL) Technology: Description
"
The following links provide information about standards which are not defined by Apple. Apple Computer, Inc. is not responsible for their content.
Services Location Protocol (SLP) is defined in
RFC 2608
DHCP option 79 is described in
RFC 2610
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