The value of the next available virtual ifIndex. This object is used by an NMS to select an index value for row-creation in tables indexed by ifIndex. The current value of this object is changed to a new value when the current value is written to an agent's table, that is indexed by ifIndex. Row creation using the current value of this object, allocates a virtual ifIndex. Note the following:

1. A newly created row does not have to be active(1) for the agent to allocate the virtual ifIndex.

2. Race conditions between multiple NMS's end when a row is created. Rows are deemed created when a setRequest is successfully committed (i.e. the errorStats is noError(0)).

3. An agent that exhausts its supply of virual ifIndex values returns zero as the value of this object. This can be used by an NMS as an indication to deleted unused rows and reboot the device.