virtual circuit
switched virtual circuit
<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)