Circuit Switching

• Basis for traditional telephone networks
• Creates a temporary and dedicated link of fixed bandwidth between the source and destination
• Guarantees the quality of transmission through dedicated bandwidth
  • Excelled for data requiring a constant end-to-end link, i.e., real-time video
  • although bandwidth can be wasted

Typical circuit switching example.

Packet Switching

• Breaks streams of data into smaller blocks and sends them independently
• At each node, packets are sent through whatever route the node decides is the least congested
  • Maximised bandwidth but does not guarantee quality of transmission
  • Re-ordered at destination
• More affordable and efficient as bandwidth can be used at once and requires a less complex infrastructure

Typical packet switching example.

Packet switching example with destroyed packet (not send by node).

Comparison

Circuit Switching

• Physical path between source and destination
• All packets use the same path
• Reserves bandwidth in advance
• Can cause a lot of bandwidth wastage
• No store and forward transmission

Primarily used in telecom communication.

Packet Switching

• No physical path
• Packets travel independently
• Does not reserve bandwidth
• No bandwidth wastage
• Supports store and forward transmission