Circuit Switching is a type of switching, in which a connection is established between the source and destination This connection receives the complete bandwidth of the network until the data is transferred completely
while Packet Switching in computer networks is a method of transferring data to a network in the form of packets. To transfer the file fast and efficiently over the network and minimize the transmission latency, the data is broken into small pieces of variable length, called Packet.
What is Circuit Switching?
Circuit switching is a communication method where a dedicated communication path, or circuit, is established between two devices before data transmission begins. The circuit remains dedicated to the communication for the duration of the session, and no other devices can use it while the session is in progress. Circuit switching is commonly used in voice communication and some types of data communication.
Advantages of Circuit Switching
• Guaranteed bandwidth: Circuit switching provides a dedicated path for communication, ensuring that bandwidth is guaranteed for the duration of the call.
• Low latency: Circuit switching provides low latency because the path is predetermined, and there is no need to establish a connection for each packet.
• Predictable performance: Circuit switching provides predictable performance because the bandwidth is reserved, and there is no competition for resources.
• Suitable for real-time communication: Circuit switching is suitable for real-time communication, such as voice and video, because it provides low latency and predictable performance.
Disadvantages of Circuit Switching
• Inefficient use of bandwidth: Circuit switching is inefficient because the bandwidth is reserved for the entire duration of the call, even when no data is being transmitted.
• Limited scalability: Circuit switching is limited in its scalability because the number of circuits that can be established is finite, which can limit the number of simultaneous calls that can be made.
• High cost: Circuit switching is expensive because it requires dedicated resources, such as hardware and bandwidth, for the duration of the call.
What is Packet Switching?
Packet switching is a communication method where data is divided into smaller units called packets and transmitted over the network. Each packet contains the source and destination addresses, as well as other information needed for routing. The packets may take different paths to reach their destination, and they may be transmitted out of order or delayed due to network congestion.
Advantages of Packet Switching
• Efficient use of bandwidth: Packet switching is efficient because bandwidth is shared among multiple users, and resources are allocated only when data needs to be transmitted.
• Flexible: Packet switching is flexible and can handle a wide range of data rates and packet sizes.
• Scalable: Packet switching is highly scalable and can handle large amounts of traffic on a network.
• Lower cost: Packet switching is less expensive than circuit switching because resources are shared among multiple users.
Disadvantages of Packet Switching
• Higher latency: Packet switching has higher latency than circuit switching because packets must be routed through multiple nodes, which can cause delay.
• Limited QoS: Packet switching provides limited QoS guarantees, meaning that different types of traffic may be treated equally.
• Packet loss: Packet switching can result in packet loss due to congestion on the network or errors in transmission.
• Unsuitable for real-time communication: Packet switching is not suitable for real-time communication, such as voice and video, because of the potential for latency and packet loss.
Similarities
• Both methods involve the transmission of data over a network.
• Both methods use a physical layer of the OSI model for transmission of data.
• Both methods can be used to transmit voice, video, and data.
• Both methods can be used in the same network infrastructure.
• Both methods can be used for both wired and wireless networks
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