Prestige
Appendix B
Virtual Circuit Topology
ATM is a
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Virtual Channel | Logical connections between ATM switches |
Virtual Path | A bundle of virtual channels |
Virtual Circuit | A series of virtual paths between circuit end points |
Think of a virtual path as a cable that contains a bundle of wires. The cable connects two points and wires within the cable provide individual circuits between the two points. In an ATM cell header, a VPI (Virtual Path Identifier) identifies a link formed by a virtual path; a VCI (Virtual Channel Identifier) identifies a channel within a virtual path.
The VPI and VCI identify a virtual path, that is, termination points between ATM switches. A series of virtual paths make up a virtual circuit.
Your service provider should supply you with VPI/VCI numbers.
Virtual Circuit Topology | G |