Acronym for Virtual Path Identifier
8-bit field in the header of an ATM cell. The VPI, together with the VCI, is used to identify the next destination of a cell as it passes through a series of ATM switches on its way to its destination. ATM switches use the VPI/VCI fields to identify the next VCL that a cell needs to transit on its way to its final destination. The function of the VPI is similar to that of the DLCI in FrameRelay. Compare with DLCI. See also VCI and VCL.
3 pages link to VPI: