In the
OSI networking
Network, networking and networked may refer to:
Science and technology
* Network theory, the study of graphs as a representation of relations between discrete objects
* Network science, an academic field that studies complex networks
Mathematics
...
model, Data Link Control (DLC) is the service provided by the
data link layer.
Network interface card
A network interface controller (NIC, also known as a network interface card, network adapter, LAN adapter or physical network interface, and by similar terms) is a computer hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network.
Ear ...
s have a DLC address that identifies each card; for instance,
Ethernet and other types of cards have a 48-bit
MAC address built into the cards'
firmware
In computing, firmware is a specific class of computer software that provides the low-level control for a device's specific hardware. Firmware, such as the BIOS of a personal computer, may contain basic functions of a device, and may provide h ...
when they are manufactured.
There is also a
network protocol with the name Data Link Control. It is comparable to better-known protocols such as
TCP/IP or
AppleTalk
AppleTalk is a discontinued proprietary suite of networking protocols developed by Apple Computer for their Macintosh computers. AppleTalk includes a number of features that allow local area networks to be connected with no prior setup or the n ...
. DLC is a transport protocol used by
IBM SNA
SNA or Sna may refer to:
Organizations
* Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency), Bulgaria's largest English-language news provider
* Shanni Nationalities Army
* Singapore National Academy, a school in Surabaya, Indonesia
* Sky News Australia, an Austra ...
mainframe
A mainframe computer, informally called a mainframe or big iron, is a computer used primarily by large organizations for critical applications like bulk data processing for tasks such as censuses, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise ...
computers and peripherals and compatible equipment. In computer networking, it is typically used for communications between network-attached printers, computers and servers, for example by
HP in their
JetDirect
HP Jetdirect is the name of a technology sold by Hewlett-Packard that allows computer printers to be directly attached to a Local Area Network. The "Jetdirect" designation covers a range of models from the external 1 and 3 port parallel print se ...
print servers
Printing is the process for reproducing text and images using a master form or template
Print or printing may also refer to:
Publishing
* Canvas print, the result of an image printed onto canvas which is often stretched, or gallery-wrapped, on ...
. While it was widely used up until the time of
Windows 2000, versions from
Windows XP onward do not include support for DLC.
External links
Generic DLC Environment OverviewMicrosoft DLC protocol in Windows 2000Microsoft TechNet: The Data Link Control Interface 30.3.2013
References
{{reflist
OSI protocols