Virtual Channel Identifier

What Does Virtual Channel Identifier Mean?

A virtual channel identifier (VCI) distinguishes virtual channels (also known as circuits) created in a packet/cell switched network. A VCI has multiple circuits per communication channel and is primarily used for managing the unique identification of each created circuit.

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A VCI is also known as a virtual circuit identifier (VCI).

Techopedia Explains Virtual Channel Identifier

A VCI is used in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cell networks. Each ATM cell header has a VCI, which is a 16-bit numeric field, for logical virtual channel identification. Each VCI works with a virtual path identifier (VPI) to facilitate end-to-end data packet transfer. The combined VCI and VPI numeric identifiers ensure correct data path transport.

Internet service providers (ISP) implement ATM technology’s cell-switching capabilities to connect clients to the ISP infrastructure. The ATM switches client connections to create a virtual channel with a direct node for communication and can create multiple and varied circuits in a communication channel.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…