Refer to the virtual circuit packet network in Figure 7.24. How many VCIs does each connection i

In the virtual circuit packet network in Figure 7.24, each connection consumes one VCI. This mea

Refer to the virtual circuit packet network in Figure 7.24....

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Key Concepts

Virtual Circuit (VC)

A virtual circuit is a logical connection established between network endpoints in a packet-switched network that requires resources to be reserved along the path before data is sent. It simulates a dedicated physical circuit and supports ordered delivery of packets by maintaining state at each switch along the route.

Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI)

The VCI is a numerical identifier used within a virtual circuit to label and manage data flows through a packet-switched network. Each connection consumes a unique VCI at every link along its path to properly route and switch the packets. The amount of VCI consumption per connection depends on the number of switches or links the circuit traverses.

Route Length and VCI Consumption

The total number of VCIs consumed by a connection is directly related to the length of the route, or how many network segments or switches the data must pass through. Longer routes require that a unique VCI be allocated for the connection on each segment, thereby increasing the overall VCI consumption and potentially consuming more scarce network resources.

Refer to the virtual circuit packet network in Figure 7.24. How many VCIs does each connection in the example consume? What is the effect of the length of routes on VCI consumption?

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