Compare and contrast Circuit switched network and packet switched network.

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MrRam · Accepted Answer

A comparison of circuit switched and packet-switched networks

Doubtly AI · Answer

Answer: In circuit switching a dedicated path is set up between sender and receiver before any data flows. In packet switching data is split into packets that share the links and are forwarded independently, with no dedicated path. PointCircuit switchingPacket switching PathDedicated end-to-end path set up first (call set-up)No dedicated path; each packet is routed hop by hop PhasesSet-up, data transfer, tear-downNo set-up needed (datagram); packets sent directly Resource useBandwidth reserved for the whole call, wasted when idleBandwidth shared on demand, used efficiently DelaySet-up delay, then small and constantVariable delay due to queuing at routers Order of dataAlways arrives in orderPackets may arrive out of order and are reordered at the receiver Store-and-forwardNot usedUsed at every router CongestionShows up at set-up: the call is blockedShows up during transfer: delay or packet loss Link failureConnection is brokenPackets can be rerouted ChargingBy time and distanceBy volume of data ExampleTraditional telephone network (PSTN)The Internet (IP networks) Similarities: both carry data across a network of switching nodes, and both must deliver it from source to destination over shared physical links. In short: circuit switching suits steady, real-time traffic such as voice calls, while packet switching suits bursty data traffic and makes better use of the network.

Compare and contrast Circuit switched network and packet switched network.

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Point	Circuit switching	Packet switching
Path	Dedicated end-to-end path set up first (call set-up)	No dedicated path; each packet is routed hop by hop
Phases	Set-up, data transfer, tear-down	No set-up needed (datagram); packets sent directly
Resource use	Bandwidth reserved for the whole call, wasted when idle	Bandwidth shared on demand, used efficiently
Delay	Set-up delay, then small and constant	Variable delay due to queuing at routers
Order of data	Always arrives in order	Packets may arrive out of order and are reordered at the receiver
Store-and-forward	Not used	Used at every router
Congestion	Shows up at set-up: the call is blocked	Shows up during transfer: delay or packet loss
Link failure	Connection is broken	Packets can be rerouted
Charging	By time and distance	By volume of data
Example	Traditional telephone network (PSTN)	The Internet (IP networks)