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). 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. VERS Version number field with in an IP datagram . Versatile Interface Processor See VIP. vertical cabling Backbone cabling. See backbone cabling. VINES Virtual Integrated Network Service. NOS developed and marketed by Banyan Systems. VIP 1.) Versatile Interface Processor. Interface card used in Cisco 7000 and Cisco 7500 series routers. The VIP provides multilayer switching and runs the Cisco IOS software. See also Cisco 7000 and Cisco 7500. 2.) Virtual IP. Function that enables the creation of logically separated switched IP workgroups across the switch ports of a Catalyst 5000 running Virtual Networking Services software. See also Virtual Networking Services. 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 Integrated Network Service See VINES. virtual IP See VIP. 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 Software on some Catalyst 5000 switches that enables multiple workgroups to be defined across switches and offers traffic segmentation and access control. 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. VirtualStream virtual workgroups Cisco workgroup architecture implemented on the LightStream 2020 ATM switch that allows geographically dispersed stations on connected LANs to be logically grouped. Such grouping provides easy access within the workgroup, while ensuring privacy between workgroups and limiting the impact of the work of each group on the others. virtual telecommunications access method See VTAM. Virtual Terminal Protocol See VTP. VLAN Virtual LAN. Group of devices on a LAN 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. 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. 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. VTP Virtual Terminal Protocol. ISO application for establishing a virtual terminal connection across a network.