Bonjour

Bonjour (formerly called Rendezvous) is Apple's implementation of the Zeroconf (Zero configuration IP Networking) protocol. It is designed to simplify setting up networks with different LAN standards (for example, AppleTalk and NETBIOS networks).

Bonjour has three primary features:

• Computers can get dynamic IP addresses with or without a DHCP server.

• Computers can translate host names and IP addresses without a DNS server.

• Computer users can find network services (printers/servers) without a directory server.

Uses in Mac OS X:

• Dynamically assigns an IP address to the computer (which would usually be done by a DCHP server)

• Talks to computers and devices via AirPort or Ethernet

• iChat and Printer Setup Utility dynamically discover other computers and devices, respectively, in your area without a server to provide information

• Limited to finding computer and devices on the same subnet

An administrator user configures the host name in Sharing preferences.

Resources for Bonjour are located in the plug-in to directory services:

• /System/Library/Frameworks/DirectoryService.framework/Versions/A/Resource/Plugins/Bonjour.dplug

MORE INFO

Visit http://developer.apple.com and www.zeroconf.org.