virtual connection

networking 1. (VC) A connection or a path through an ATM

network. The word "virtual" indicates that the connection

is logical rather than physical.

Nothing to do with a virtual circuit on a packet switching

network.

[Fred Halsall, "Data Communications, Computer Networks and

Open Systems", 1996, Addison Wesley].

2. A communications link that appears to be a direct

connection between sender and receiver, although physically

the link can be routed through a more circuitous path, running

over virtual circuits instead of a private network built

primarily with dedicated lines.

A virtual connection can provide full-time connection among

many sites, including those configured for SNA/SDLC

protocol. A virtual connection can handle any transmission

protocol and is supported worldwide. It can provide high

throughput and low delay for LAN and Internet

applications, peer-to-peer connectivity, client-server

computing, and other distributed processing applications.

[Same as virtual circuit?]

(2001-10-26)