Virtual terminal

This article is about the term standardized by Open system. For other uses, see virtual console and virtual terminal (payment processing).

In open systems, a virtual terminal (VT) is an application service that:

1. Allows host terminals on a multi-user network to interact with other hosts regardless of terminal type and characteristics,^[1]
2. Allows remote log-on by local area network managers for the purpose of management,^[2]
3. Allows users to access information from another host processor for transaction processing,
4. Serves as a backup facility.

PuTTY is an example of a virtual terminal.

ITU-T defines a virtual terminal protocol based on the OSI application layer protocols. However, the virtual terminal protocol is not widely used on the Internet.

Virtual terminal services are defined under ISO 9040^[3] and virtual terminal protocols are defined under ISO 9041.^[4]

See also

• Pseudo terminal for the software interface that provides access to virtual terminals
• Secure Shell
• Telnet
• Terminal emulator for an application program that provides access to virtual terminals
• Virtual console for an analogous concept that provides several local consoles

Sources

•  This article incorporates public domain material from Federal Standard 1037C. General Services Administration. Archived from the original on 2022-01-22.

1. Schicker, P.; Duenki, A. (1976-10-01). "Virtual terminal definition and protocol". SIGCOMM Comput. Commun. Rev. 6 (4): 1–2. doi:10.1145/1015842.1015843. ISSN 0146-4833.
2. "Information on RFC 0407 » RFC Editor". doi:10.17487/rfc0407. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
3. "ISO/IEC 9040:1997". ISO. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
4. "ISO/IEC 9041-1:1997". ISO. Retrieved 2025-12-07.

ISO Standards