virtual connection

1 definition found

virtual connection - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  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)