Packet switching and circuit switching

Answer 1

Circuit switching is the technique used in voice communications. Circuit switching sets up a - physical or copper path between the two parties involved. This path remains until the call is completed, and for the duration of the call, it is dedicated solely to the call. Establishing a circuit can involve a long set-up time while the common carrier searches for a free copper path. No data can be transmitted until the circuit is established. Once established, information entered at the calling point is immediately conveyed to the called point. Packet switching evolved from message switching, but it is much faster, and therefore, better suited to interactive data transfer. Like message switching, packet switching requires no copper path. Instead of sending an entire message to the switching nodes, however, the source node divides the message into packets of a fixed length, and transmits these packets. Each packet has a header that includes the address of the destination node, as well as a sequence number, indicating the position of the packet in the message.

In packet switching, the source node transmits packets to the first switching node in the network. This node may hold the packets for a short period of time, less than a second. Its purpose is to move each packet it receives as fast as possible by the best available route. It holds each packet until it has been successfully received by another node. - Jvy (MKJB)

Answer 2

Packet Switching:

Packet switching is used in digital transmissions where data is divided into several chunks with proper labelling & then introduced to transmission media to reach its destination. This method enables shared usage of transmission media.

Circuit Switching:

Circuit switching establishes a link between sender & receiver and reserves the link until the communication is finished. This method restricts usage of media amongst limited users.