Switching Network
Switching Network
In the above figure it shows a circuit switched network in which computer connect via 4
switches with a point to point connections.
In the Packet switching Network, the message is divide into packets. Each packet contains a
header which includes the source address, destination address, and control information.
In the above figure, it shows how a data gram approach is used to deliver four packets from
station A to station D.
Following are the differences between circuit switching and packet switching networks.
Parameters
Path
o Circuit switching NetworkPacket switching Network1In circuit switched network a
dedicated path is created between two points by setting the switches.
o In packet switched network no dedicated path is created between two points. Only
the virtual circuit exists.
Store and forward transmission
o In circuit switching there is no concept of store and forward transmission.
o In virtual packet switched network, each node may store incoming packets and
forward them after use.
Dedicated
o The links that make a path in circuit switched network are dedicated and cannot be
used for other connections.
o In the virtual circuit network, links that make a route can be dedicated with other
connections.
Availability of Bandwidth
o In circuit switching, bandwidth is fixed because it is reserved in advance.
o In the virtual circuit network, require bandwidth is dynamic because it can be released
as it is needed.
The route followed by packets
o The route followed by packets is always the same.
o The route followed by packets is may or may not be different.
Call setup
o An in-circuit switching call setup is required.
o In packet switching, call setup is not required.
Congestion
o In circuit switching, congestion can occur at set up time.
o In packet switching, congestion can occur on every packet.
Wastage of Bandwidth
o In circuit switching, bandwidth is fixed, unused bandwidth on an allocated circuit is
wasted.
o Other packets from an unrelated source may utilize unused bandwidth.
Charging
o In circuit switching, users are charged based on time and the basis of distance.
o In packet switching, users are charged based on time and number of bytes carried &
not based on distance.
Application
o Telephone network for bidirectional, real time transfer of voice signal.
o Internet for datagram and reliable stream service between computers.
Layers
o Circuit-switched network is implemented at the physical layer.
o A virtual circuit network is implemented at the data link and a network layer.
Reliability
o Circuit-switched is highly reliable.
o In packet switching, low reliability, subject to congestion.
Overhead bits
o In Circuit-switched network, no overhead bits after call setup.
o In packet switching, Overhead bits in each packet.
Technologies or types
Circuit switching using two technologies