Difference Between Packet Switching and Circuit Switching
Packet Switching |
Circuit Switching |
---|---|
In packet switching data is divided into packets, and packets is sent independently. |
There is a dedicated path for each packet in circuit switching. |
In Packet switching, data is processed at all intermediate nodes including the source system. |
In-Circuit switching, data is processed at the source system only. |
The delay between data units in packet switching is not uniform. |
The delay between data units in circuit switching is uniform. |
Packet switching is less reliable. |
Circuit switching is more reliable. |
Transmission of the data is done not only by the source but also by the intermediate routers. |
Transmission of the data is done by the source. |
Less wastage of resources. |
Wastage of resources is more in Circuit Switching. |
In Packet Switching there is no physical path between the source and the destination. |
In-Circuit Switching there is a physical path between the source and the destination. |
Call setup is not required in packet switching. |
Call setup is required in circuit switching. |
Packet switching requires complex protocols for delivery. |
Circuit switching requires simple protocols for delivery. |
Latency is high in Packet switching. |
Latency is low in circuit switching. |
Littel bit more overheating in packet switching. |
Overheading is low in circuit switching. |
Packet Switching and Delays in Computer Network
Packet Switching in computer networks is a method of transferring data to a network in the form of packets. In order 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. At the destination, all these small parts (packets) have to be reassembled, belonging to the same file. A packet is composed of a payload and various control information. No pre-setup or reservation of resources is needed.
Packet Switching uses the Store and Forward technique while switching the packets; while forwarding the packet each hop first stores that packet then forwards. This technique is very beneficial because packets may get discarded at any hop for some reason. More than one path is possible between a pair of sources and destinations. Each packet contains the Source and destination address using which they independently travel through the network. In other words, packets belonging to the same file may or may not travel through the same path. If there is congestion at some path, packets are allowed to choose different paths possible over an existing network.