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<networking> A connection-oriented network service which is implemented on top of a network which may be either connection-oriented or connectionless (packet switching).
The term "switched virtual circuit" was coined needlessly to distinguish an ordinary virtual circuit from a permanent virtual circuit. (One of the perpetrators of this confusion appears to be ["Networking Essentials", 1996, Microsoft Press, ISBN 1-55615-806-8], a book aimed at people preparing for the MCSE exam on LANs and WANs).
Not to be confused with switched virtual connection.
(2001-10-26)
Nearby terms: virtual 86 mode « virtual address « virtual cache « virtual circuit » Virtual Circuit Identifier » virtual connection » Virtual Control Program Interface
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