V

V.24

ITU-T standard for a physical layer interface between DTE and DCE. V.24 is essentially the same as the EIA/TIA-232 standard. See also EIA/TIA-232.

V.25bis

ITU-T specification describing procedures for call setup and tear down over the DTE-DCE interface in a PSDN.

V.32

ITU-T standard serial line protocol for bidirectional data transmissions at speeds of 4.8 or 9.6 Kbps. See also V.32bis.

V.32bis

ITU-T standard that extends V.32 to speeds up to 14.4 Kbps. See also V.32.

V.34

ITU-T standard that specifies a serial line protocol. V.34 offers improvements to the V.32 standard, including higher transmission rates (28.8 Kbps) and enhanced data compression. Compare with V.32.

V.35

ITU-T standard describing a synchronous, physical layer protocol used for communications between a network access device and a packet network. V.35 is most commonly used in the United States and in Europe, and is recommended for speeds up to 48 Kbps.

V.42

ITU-T standard protocol for error correction using LAPM. See also LAPM.

variable bit rate

See VBR.

variable-length subnet mask

See VLSM.

VBR

variable bit rate. QOS class defined by the ATM Forum for ATM networks. VBR is subdivided into a real time (RT) class and non-real time (NRT) class. VBR (RT) is used for connections in which there is a fixed timing relationship between samples. VBR (NRT) is used for connections in which there is no fixed timing relationship between samples, but that still need a guaranteed QOS. Compare with ABR (available bit rate), CBR, and UBR.

VC

See virtual circuit.

VCC

virtual channel connection. Logical circuit, made up of VCLs, that carries data between two end points in an ATM network. Sometimes called a virtual circuit connection. See also VCI, VCL, and VPI.

VCI

virtual channel identifier. 16-bit field in the header of an ATM cell. The VCI, together with the VPI, is used to identify the next destination of a cell as it passes through a series of ATM switches on its way to its destination. ATM switches use the VPI/VCI fields to identify the next network VCL that a cell needs to transit on its way to its final destination. The function of the VCI is similar to that of the DLCI in Frame Relay. Compare to DLCI. See also VCL and VPI.

VCL

virtual channel link. Connection between two ATM devices. A VCC is made up of one or more VCLs. See also VCC.

VCN

virtual circuit number. 12-bit field in an X.25 PLP header that identifies an X.25 virtual circuit. Allows DCE to determine how to route a packet through the X.25 network. Sometimes called LCI (logical channel identifier) or LCN (logical channel number).

VDSL

very-high-data-rate digital subscriber line. One of four DSL technologies. VDSL delivers 13 Mbps to 52 Mbps downstream and 1.5 Mbps to 2.3 Mbps upstream over a single twisted copper pair. The operating range of VDSL is limited to 1,000 to 4,500 feet. Compare with ADSL, HDSL, and SDSL.

vector

Data segment of an SNA message. A vector consists of a length field, a key that describes the vector type, and vector-specific data.

Versatile Interface Processor

See VIP in the Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms section.

VF

variance factor. One of three link attributes exchanged using PTSPs to determine the available resources of an ATM network. VF is a relative measure of CRM normalized by the variance of the aggregate cell rate on the link. See also CRM.

VINES

Virtual Integrated Network Service. NOS developed and marketed by Banyan Systems.

VIP

See VIP in the Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms section.

virtual address

See network address.

virtual channel

See virtual circuit.

virtual channel connection

See VCC.

virtual channel identifier

See VCI.

virtual channel link

See VCL.

virtual circuit

Logical circuit created to ensure reliable communication between two network devices. A virtual circuit is defined by a VPI/VCI pair, and can be either permanent (a PVC) or switched (an SVC). Virtual circuits are used in Frame Relay and X.25. In ATM, a virtual circuit is called a virtual channel. Sometimes abbreviated VC. See also PVC, SVC, VCI, virtual route, and VPI.

virtual circuit connection

See VCC.

virtual circuit number

See VCN.

virtual connection

In ATM, a connection between end users that has a defined route and endpoints. See also PVC and SVC.

Virtual Integrated Network Service

See VINES.

virtual IP

See VIP in the Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms section.

virtualization

Process of implementing a network based on virtual network segments. Devices are connected to virtual segments independent of their physical location and their physical connection to the network.

virtual LAN

See VLAN.

virtual LAN internetwork

See VLI.

Virtual Networking Services

See Virtual Networking Services in the Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms section.

virtual path

Logical grouping of virtual circuits that connect two sites. See also virtual circuit.

virtual path connection

See VPC.

virtual path identifier

See VPI.

virtual path identifier/virtual channel identifier

See VPI/VCI.

virtual path link

See VPL.

virtual ring

Entity in an SRB network that logically connects two or more physical rings together either locally or remotely. The concept of virtual rings can be expanded across router boundaries.

virtual route

In SNA, a logical connection between subarea nodes that is physically realized as a particular explicit route. SNA terminology for virtual circuit. See also virtual circuit.

virtual subnet

A logical grouping of devices that share a common Layer 3 subnet.

virtual telecommunications access method

See VTAM.

Virtual Terminal Protocol

See VTP.

VLAN

virtual LAN. Group of devices on one or more LANs that are configured (using management software) so that they can communicate as if they were attached to the same wire, when in fact they are located on a number of different LAN segments. Because VLANs are based on logical instead of physical connections, they are extremely flexible.

VLI

virtual LAN internetwork. Internetwork composed of VLANs. See VLAN.

VLSM

variable-length subnet mask. Ability to specify a different subnet mask for the same network number on different subnets. VLSM can help optimize available address space.

VNS

See Virtual Networking Services in the Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms section.

VP

virtual path. One of two types of ATM circuits identified by a VPI. A virtual path is a bundle of virtual channels, all of which are switched transparently across an ATM network based on a common VPI. See also VPI.

VPC

virtual path connection. Grouping of VCCs that share one or more contiguous VPLs. See also VCC and VPL.

VPI

virtual path identifier. 8-bit field in the header of an ATM cell. The VPI, together with the VCI, is used to identify the next destination of a cell as it passes through a series of ATM switches on its way to its destination. ATM switches use the VPI/VCI fields to identify the next VCL that a cell needs to transit on its way to its final destination. The function of the VPI is similar to that of the DLCI in Frame Relay. Compare with DLCI. See also VCI and VCL.

VPI/VCI

See VCI and VPI.

VPL

virtual path link. Within a virtual path, a group of unidirectional VCLs with the same end points. Grouping VCLs into VPLs reduces the number of connections to be managed, thereby decreasing network control overhead and cost. A VPC is made up of one or more VPLs.

VT-n

Virtual Tributary level n. The SONET format for mapping a lower-rate signal into a SONET payload. For example, VT-1.5 is used to transport a DS-1 signal. See also DS-1 and SONET.

VTAM

virtual telecommunications access method. Set of programs that control communication between LUs. VTAM controls data transmission between channel-attached devices and performs routing functions. See also LU.

VTP

Virtual Terminal Protocol. ISO application for establishing a virtual terminal connection across a network.