Definition: virtual

The original meaning of virtual meant "simulated" when the term was coined for "virtual memory" decades ago. Virtual memory and "virtual machines" are the true embodiment of the term virtual, and this architecture runs in every server in every datacenter worldwide (see virtual memory, virtual machine, server virtualization and cloud computing).

Synonyms: Online, Digital and Internet
Today, the term virtual means "online" and, loosely, anything related to computers. It is a substitute for "online," "digital" and "Internet." Also "not physical," for example, "The company's product will be virtual for another year."

  MAJOR VIRTUAL TERMS
  IN THIS ENCYCLOPEDIA

  virtual memory

  virtual machine

  virtual assistant

  virtual machine monitor

  desktop virtualization

  application virtualization

  network virtualization

  OS virtualization

  server virtualization

  storage virtualization

  virtual appliance

  Java Virtual Machine

  virtual private cloud

  virtual private server

  VPN (virtual private network)


  OTHER VIRTUAL TERMS
  IN THIS ENCYCLOPEDIA

  virtual 8086 Mode

  virtual access point

  virtual autopsy

  virtual circuit

  virtual community

  virtual companion

  virtual company

  virtual conference

  virtual connection

  virtual copy

  virtual currency

  virtual data room

  virtual database

  virtual datacenter
    (see datacenter container)

  virtual desktop services

  virtual device

  virtual device driver
    (see VxD)

  Virtual Device Interface 
    (see VDI)

  virtual directory

  virtual disk

  virtual DOS machine

  virtual drive

  virtual environment

  Virtual Execution System
   (see VES)

  virtual folder

  virtual function

  virtual funds

  virtual greeting card
    (see e-card)

  virtual hard drive
    (see RAM disk)

  virtual headphones

  virtual host

  virtual hypertext

  virtual image

  virtual influencer
    (see VTuber)

  virtual instrument

  virtual IP address

  virtual ISP

  virtual keyboard

  virtual kidnapping

  virtual LAN

  virtual learning

  virtual library

  Virtual Machine Manager

  virtual mailbox

  virtual marketplace

  virtual mentoring

  virtual monitor

  virtual network

  virtual network computing
    (see VNC)

  virtual newscaster

  Virtual patient

  Virtual PC

  Virtual PC for Mac

  virtual peripheral

  virtual phone number

  virtual printer

  virtual printer port

  virtual processor

  virtual radio station

  virtual real estate

  virtual reality

  virtual root

  virtual routing

  virtual screen

  virtual serial port

  virtual server

  virtual shopping

  virtual storage

  virtual store

  virtual supercomputer

  virtual surround sound
    (see 3D audio)

  virtual switch

  virtual tape

  virtual tape library

  virtual tape system

  virtual terminal

  virtual toolkit

  virtual tour

  virtual traffic lights

  virtual training

  virtual twin

  virtual voicemail

  virtual workgroup

  virtual world

  virtual YouTuber
    (see VTuber)

  virtualization

  virtualize

  AMD Virtualization
    (see AMD-V)

  VirtualWiFi

  full virtualization

  hardware virtualization

  I/O virtualization

  paravirtualization

  hardware virtual memory

  augmented virtuality 
    (see augmented reality)

  computer automatic virtual environment
    (see CAVE)

  Global Virtual Private Network
    (see GVPN)

  Intel Virtualization Technology
    (see VT)

  K Virtual Machine
    (see KVM)

  Microsoft Virtual Machine

  Microsoft Virtual Server

  permanent virtual circuit
    (see PVC)

  switched virtual circuit
    (see SVC)