A virtual type is a subset of its sub type. It inherits properties from its sub type, but has its own set of profiles and properties and adds its own behavior. A virtual type can also have its own lifecycle model and policies. In addition, you can configure a virtual type to inherit properties from its base type Service.

Virtual types do not have a separate storage structure or a schema, so the instances of a virtual type are stored as regular objects. For example, a Virtual Service inherits the Service and adds its own behavior, yet it is stored as a Service Object.

Technically speaking, a virtual type is the consumer-facing proxy for a sub type. For example, the Virtual Service type, Virtual XML Service type, and the Virtual REST Service type are the proxy types of the Service, XML Service, and REST Service types, respectively.

Several predefined virtual types are installed with CentraSite. For more information, see Predefined Asset Types Installed with CentraSite.