Logical

In computing and networking, logical media refers to the conceptual arrangement and flow of data, independent of the physical, tangible hardware it runs on. It describes the software configurations, protocols, and addressing schemes that allow devices to communicate, contrasting with the physical media like cables and switches.

Examples of logical media in action

• Logical Network Topology: A network diagram showing the flow of data and the configuration of IP addresses is a logical representation. It might show two networks connected by a VPN, even if they are physically in different cities.

• Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs): A VLAN segments a single physical network switch into multiple, isolated logical networks. Computers on different VLANs cannot communicate directly, even though they may be connected to the same physical switch.

• Logical Storage: A logical file is a software-defined structure that points to a physical file's location on a hard drive. Multiple logical files could even interact with the same physical file. The logical representation makes the data easier for a program or user to access.

• Virtual Networking: In cloud computing and virtualization, logical networks enable virtual machines and containers to communicate with one another. A single physical server can host many logical networks, allowing for efficient resource utilization.