virtual circuit

networking A connection-oriented network service which

is implemented on top of a network which may be either

connection-oriented or connectionless (packet switching).

The term "switched virtual circuit" was coined needlessly to

distinguish an ordinary virtual circuit from a permanentvirtual circuit. (One of the perpetrators of this confusion

appears to be ["Networking Essentials", 1996, Microsoft Press,

ISBN 1-55615-806-8], a book aimed at people preparing for the

MCSE exam on LANs and WANs).

Not to be confused with switched virtual connection.

(2001-10-26)