Stands for “Virtual Channel Identifier.” The VCI, used along side the VPI (digital path indicator), signifies the place an ATM cell is to journey over a network. ATM, or asynchronous switch mode, is a technique that many ISPs (Internet Service Providers) use to switch knowledge to shopper computer systems. Because ATM sends packets over mounted channels, the info is less complicated to trace than info despatched over the usual TCP/IP protocol.
The VCI inside every ATM cell defines the mounted channel on which the packet of data needs to be despatched. It is a 16-bit discipline, in comparison with the VPI, which is simply 8 bits. Since this numerical tag specifies the digital channel that every packet belongs to, it prevents interference with different knowledge being despatched throughout the network.
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