L8. Compare packet switching with circuit switching. Flashcards
What are packet and circuit switching?
Techniques used in telecommunications and computer networks to route data between devices
What is packet switching?
A method of data transmission where data is broken down into smaller, manageable packets before being sent across a network. Each packet is routed independently based on the destination address contained within the packet.
What is circuit switching?
A method of data transmission where a dedicated communication path or circuit is established between two endpoints for the duration of the communication session.
What is circuit switching used for?
Circuit switching is used for connections that must be continuous for long periods of time. Examples include traditional analog telephone networks.
What is packet switching used for?
Packet switching is the primary basis for data communications in computer networks worldwide.
How does path allocation work in packet vs circuit switched networks?
In circuit switched networks, a fixed, dedicated path is established before data transmission begins. This path remains reserved for the entire duration of the communication, ensuring consistent and predictable performance.
In packet switched networks, packets can take any available path to the destination. Routing decisions are made at each node based on current network conditions, which can lead to packets arriving out of order.
Compare latency in packet vs circuit switched networks
Circuit switching provides a consistent latency and guaranteed bandwidth, thanks to having a fixed, reserved path. Establishing a circuit however requires a setup phase, which can introduce delays before actual data transmission begins.
Packet switching introduces variable latency and requires headers for each packet, which adds overhead.
Compare resoure efficiency of packet vs circuit switched networks
In a circuit switched network, the resources along the path are reserved and cannot be used by other sessions, even if no data is being transmitted. This can lead to inefficiency, especially in scenarios with intermittent data transmission.
Packet switching optimizes network resource usage by allowing multiple communication sessions to share the same network paths. Bandwidth is allocated on demand, which makes packet switching more efficient, especially in bursty traffic scenarios.
Compare packet vs circuit switched networks in terms of robustness
In a packet switched network, if a particular path becomes unavailable due to a failure, packets can be rerouted through alternative paths. This makes packet-switched networks resilient to network failures and congestion.
Are packet switched or circuit switch networks more resource efficient? Why?
Packet switched networks are more resource efficient, because packet switching allocates resources dynamically and on demand, allowing multiple sessions to share the same network resources efficiently. Circuit switching reserves a fixed amount of resources for the duration of a session, ensuring dedicated bandwidth but potentially wasting resources during idle periods.
Does packet or circuit switched networks have lower latency? Why?
Circuit switching offers consistent latency since the dedicated path remains constant throughout the session. Packet switching can introduce variable latency due to routing decisions made at each hop and potential queuing delays at intermediate nodes.
Are packet or circuit switched networks more scalable? Why?
Packet-switched networks are highly scalable and can handle a large number of devices and communication sessions concurrently. Circuit-switched networks may face scalability challenges due to the fixed allocation of resources, which can limit the number of concurrent sessions.
Are packet switched or circuit switched networks more flexible?
Packet switching is inherently robust and flexible, with the ability to reroute packets around network failures and congestion. Circuit switching is less flexible, as the failure of a dedicated path can disrupt the entire communication session until a new circuit is established.
