Difference between circuit switching and packet switching


Computer networks
2023-05-21T17:00:49+00:00

Difference between circuit switching and packet switching


Introduction

Circuit switching and packet switching are two techniques used in communication networks to establish a connection between two points. Although both techniques serve the same purpose, there are some important differences between them.

Circuit change

Circuit switching is a technique used in traditional telephone networks. In this method, a physical connection is established between two points before data is transmitted. This is done by reserving a dedicated path between the two points so that data can flow uninterrupted.

This technique is useful when you need a constant connection and The future of television is here for voice or video transmission in real time. However, using a dedicated path means that the connection cannot be used for other purposes while it is in progress, resulting in wasted resources.

packet switching

Packet switching is a technique used in data networks. Instead of establishing a dedicated connection, data is divided into packets and sent over the network to its destination. Each packet is routed individually through the network and can take different routes to reach its destination.

Packet switching is more efficient than circuit switching since resources are shared among multiple users. Additionally, packets can send any type of data, making them useful for file transfers, emails, and web browsing. However, they may also experience delays and losses on the network, which may affect the quality of transmission in real time.

Types of packet switching

There are two main types of packet switching: virtual circuit (VC) packet switching and datagram packet switching.

  • Virtual circuit (VC) packet switching uses a virtual connection between the two points. Each packet is marked with a virtual circuit ID so that the network can route it along the appropriate path.
  • Datagram packet switching does not use a dedicated connection. Each packet is routed individually based on the destination address. This means that packets can take different routes to reach their destination, which can cause delays and losses.

Conclusion

In summary, circuit switching and packet switching are two techniques used in communication networks. Circuit switching is useful for real-time voice and video transmission, while packet switching is more efficient and is used to send any type of data. Packet switching is divided into virtual circuit (VC) switching and datagram switching, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to understand these techniques to choose the most appropriate one for our needs.

You may also be interested in this related content:

Related