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Glossary

• domain  

  A complete protocol family.



• extension  

  A general term for an object module that can be dynamically added to a running system. A synonym for kernel extension.



• Data Link Interface Layer (DLIL)  

  The fixed part of the network kernel extension architecture that exists between protocol stacks and the network drivers.



• data link interface module  

  A network kernel extension that handles demultiplexing or packet framing.



• data link NKE  

  A network kernel extension that exists between the protocol stacks and the device layer.



• DLIL interface filter  

  A network kernel extension that is installed between the DLIL and one or more network interfaces.



• DLIL protocol filter  

  A network kernel extension that is installed between the DLIL and a network protocol stack.



• data link protocol module  

  A network kernel extension that handles the specific interface for the protocol’s attachment to a particular interface family.



• global NKE  

  An NKE that is automatically enabled for sockets of the type specified for the NKE.



• network kernel extension (NKE)  

  1) The architecture that allows modules to be added to the Mac OS X networking subsystem while the system is running. 2) A module that can be added to a running system.



• plug-in  

  A general term for an object module that can be dynamically added to a running system.



• programmatic filter NKE  

  An NKE that is enabled only under program control, using socket options, for a specific socket.



• protocol family NKE  

  A network kernel extension that implements a domain.



• protocol handler  

  A network kernel extension that implements a specific protocol within a domain.



• socket NKE  

  A network kernel extension that is installed between the socket layer and the protocol stack or network device layers.

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