Kipper is a software server implementing one half of the KIP protocol. It is intended only for use by system administrators. Average users should not install or configure Kipper on their Macintoshes, or havoc may result. You should read the entry on KIP before trying to install Kipper.
Kipper is a Control Panel ("cdev") file. Dragged into the system folder, it provides KIP remote configuration services without interfering with use of the Macintosh; that is, it is a background server. It must be configured by an administrator.
Kipper can only run if TOPS TCP/IP is installed and if a domain name is assigned to the Macintosh. This name will be used as the server name on NBP.
Kipper maintains three lists: dynamic addresses, gateway addresses, and domain names. These lists are kept in the file "Kipper Memory" in the system folder. Editing the lists in the Control Panel is intended to be self-explanatory, using simple buttons. Changes in the database take effect immediately.
The list of dynamic addresses is used to provide a pool of addresses for TCP/IP users at various places on the network. When TCP/IP software starts up, if it does not know its address it will ask for an address using KIP. Kipper randomly selects an address from its list. Every minute Kipper polls the network for IP addresses so it will not assign someone an address that's already in use.
The list of gateway addresses is used only on traditional ARP configurations; it must be empty for NBP ARP configurations. When TOPS TCP/IP starts up, it asks for a gateway address from KIP; if it gets one, it uses old ARP and that gateway address, but if not, it uses NBP ARP, which needs no gateway address.
The list of domain names is used for a poor man's name service. It is optional.
To discourage ignorant use, it is required that you check the "Authorized" button in the Control Panel to provide KIP services.
