Circuit and Packet Switching

The commonality between circuit switching and packet switching is that they both are utilized to transmit data from a source to a destination. The ability for both of these types of switching methods can carry data, voice, and video via a digital signal. This however, is where the similarities end as they transmit and receive data in two different ways.

Circuit switching is based on a path that is pre-established and dedicated when the circuit is needed ending when the conversation is concluded terminating the connection. Packet switching breaks the message into smaller parts known as packets and can take different paths over a network. The packets are tagged with the source, destination, and sequencing number, and intermediary node addresses if necessary (Regan, 2004). In this respect, they seek out the most efficient paths to travel as the circuits become available.

The circuit-switching network is better suited for real-time video transmissions as there is a dedicated constant link from point-to-point. In the packet switching, frames may become lost because packets may arrive via a non-sequential order and are more likely to become corrupted. The circuit-switching network is more reliable than that of the packet switching network as it offers a dedicated circuit during the session thereby ensuring that all information will be delivered. With the packet switching methodology there is a possibility that delays may be created by a possible congestion from circuits that are open with other services to utilize at the same time. Cost also differs between these two types of transmissions with the line remaining open during silent times when there are no transmissions during a circuit-switching operation will still be billed. The packet switching network allows the use of a network circuit even though others may be utilizing it at the same time since there is no circuit dedication.

Reference

Regan,