Permanent virtual circuit (PVC)

Posted by: Margaret Rouse

A permanent virtual circuit (PVC) is a software-defined logical

connection in a network such as a frame relay network. A feature of
frame relay that makes it a highly flexible network technology is that
users (companies or clients of network providers) can define logical
connections and required bandwidth between end points and let the
frame relay network technology worry about how the physical network is
used to achieve the defined connections and manage the traffic. In
frame relay, the end points and a stated bandwidth called a Committed
Information Rate (CIR) constitute a PVC, which is defined to the frame
relay network devices. The bandwidth may not exceed the possible
physical bandwidth. Typically, multiple PVCs share the same physical
paths at the same time. To manage the variation in bandwidth
requirements expressed in the CIRs, the frame relay devices use a
technique called statistical multiplexing.

Frame relay

Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Frame relay is a packet-switching telecommunication service designed

for cost-efficient data transmission for intermittent traffic between local
area networks (LANs) and between endpoints in wide area networks
(WANs). The service, once widely available and implemented, is in the
process of being discontinued by major Internet service providers.
Sprint ended its frame relay service in 2007, while Verizon said it plans
to phase out the service in 2015. AT&T stopped offering frame relay in
2012 but said it would support existing customers until 2016.