Note: Many topics at this site are reduced versions of the text in "The Encyclopedia of Networking and Telecommunications." Search results will not be as extensive as a search of the book's CD-ROM.

The Virtual Interface (VI) Architecture specification defines a high-bandwidth, low-latency networking architecture that was designed for creating clusters of servers and SANs (Storage Area Networks). Clustering is a technique of linking systems together in a way that makes them appear as a single system. In the past, clustering was achieved through proprietary solutions. The VI Architecture is an attempt to standardize the interface for high-performance clustering. The interface specifies logical and physical components, as well as connection setup and data transfer operations.