


Python Java JavaScript SQL C C++ HTML CSS React
Access Lists (ACL)
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
Operating system based Virtualization
Context based Access Control (CBAC)
Cristian's Algorithm
Service Set Identifier (SSID) in Computer Network
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Challenge Response Authentication Mechanism (CRAM)
Extended Access List
Li fi vs Wi fi

← prev next →

Switching techniques
24 Jan 2025 |  8 min read

In large networks, there can be multiple paths from sender to receiver. The switching technique will
decide the best route for data transmission.

Switching technique is used to connect the systems for making one-to-one communication.

Classification Of Switching Techniques

Circuit Switching

Circuit switching is a switching technique that establishes a dedicated path between sender and
receiver.

In the Circuit Switching Technique, once the connection is established then the dedicated path
will remain to exist until the connection is terminated.

Circuit switching in a network operates in a similar way as the telephone works.

A complete end-to-end path must exist before the communication takes place.

In case of circuit switching technique, when any user wants to send the data, voice, video, a
request signal is sent to the receiver then the receiver sends back the acknowledgment to ensure
the availability of the dedicated path. After receiving the acknowledgment, dedicated path
transfers the data.

Circuit switching is used in public telephone network. It is used for voice transmission.

Fixed data can be transferred at a time in circuit switching technology.

Communication through circuit switching has 3 phases:

Circuit establishment

Data transfer
 Circuit Disconnect

Circuit Switching can use either of the two technologies:

Space Division Switches:

Space Division Switching is a circuit switching technology in which a single transmission path is
accomplished in a switch by using a physically separate set of crosspoints.

Space Division Switching can be achieved by using crossbar switch. A crossbar switch is a
metallic crosspoint or semiconductor gate that can be enabled or disabled by a control unit.

The Crossbar switch is made by using the semiconductor. For example, Xilinx crossbar switch
using FPGAs.

Space Division Switching has high speed, high capacity, and nonblocking switches.

Space Division Switches can be categorized in two ways:

Crossbar Switch

Multistage Switch

Crossbar Switch

The Crossbar switch is a switch that has n input lines and n output lines. The crossbar switch has n2
intersection points known as crosspoints.

Disadvantage of Crossbar switch:

The number of crosspoints increases as the number of stations is increased. Therefore, it becomes
very expensive for a large switch. The solution to this is to use a multistage switch.
___

Multistage Switch

Multistage Switch is made by splitting the crossbar switch into the smaller units and then
interconnecting them.

It reduces the number of crosspoints.

If one path fails, then there will be an availability of another path.

Advantages Of Circuit Switching:

In the case of Circuit Switching technique, the communication channel is dedicated.

It has fixed bandwidth.

Disadvantages Of Circuit Switching:

Once the dedicated path is established, the only delay occurs in the speed of data transmission.

It takes a long time to establish a connection approx 10 seconds during which no data can be
transmitted.

It is more expensive than other switching techniques as a dedicated path is required for each
connection.

It is inefficient to use because once the path is established and no data is transferred, then the
capacity of the path is wasted.

In this case, the connection is dedicated therefore no other data can be transferred even if the
channel is free.
Message Switching

Message Switching is a switching technique in which a message is transferred as a complete unit

and routed through intermediate nodes at which it is stored and forwarded.

In Message Switching technique, there is no establishment of a dedicated path between the

sender and receiver.

The destination address is appended to the message. Message Switching provides a dynamic
routing as the message is routed through the intermediate nodes based on the information
available in the message.

Message switches are programmed in such a way so that they can provide the most efficient
routes.

Each and every node stores the entire message and then forward it to the next node. This type of
network is known as store and forward network.

Message switching treats each message as an independent entity.

Advantages Of Message Switching

Data channels are shared among the communicating devices that improve the efficiency of using
available bandwidth.

Traffic congestion can be reduced because the message is temporarily stored in the nodes.

Message priority can be used to manage the network.

The size of the message which is sent over the network can be varied. Therefore, it supports the
data of unlimited size.

Disadvantages Of Message Switching

 The message switches must be equipped with sufficient storage to enable them to store the
messages until the message is forwarded.

The Long delay can occur due to the storing and forwarding facility provided by the message
switching technique.

Packet Switching

The packet switching is a switching technique in which the message is sent in one go, but it is
divided into smaller pieces, and they are sent individually.

The message splits into smaller pieces known as packets and packets are given a unique number
to identify their order at the receiving end.

Every packet contains some information in its headers such as source address, destination
address and sequence number.

Packets will travel across the network, taking the shortest path as possible.

All the packets are reassembled at the receiving end in correct order.

If any packet is missing or corrupted, then the message will be sent to resend the message.

If the correct order of the packets is reached, then the acknowledgment message will be sent.

Approaches Of Packet Switching:

There are two approaches to Packet Switching:

Datagram Packet switching:

It is a packet switching technology in which packet is known as a datagram, is considered as an

independent entity. Each packet contains the information about the destination and switch uses
this information to forward the packet to the correct destination.

The packets are reassembled at the receiving end in correct order.

In Datagram Packet Switching technique, the path is not fixed.

Intermediate nodes take the routing decisions to forward the packets.

Datagram Packet Switching is also known as connectionless switching.

Virtual Circuit Switching

Virtual Circuit Switching is also known as connection-oriented switching.

In the case of Virtual circuit switching, a preplanned route is established before the messages are
sent.

Call request and call accept packets are used to establish the connection between sender and
receiver.

In this case, the path is fixed for the duration of a logical connection.

Let's understand the concept of virtual circuit switching through a diagram:

 In the above diagram, A and B are the sender and receiver respectively. 1 and 2 are the nodes.

Call request and call accept packets are used to establish a connection between the sender and
receiver.

When a route is established, data will be transferred.

After transmission of data, an acknowledgment signal is sent by the receiver that the message
has been received.

If the user wants to terminate the connection, a clear signal is sent for the termination.

Differences b/w Datagram approach and Virtual Circuit approach

Datagram approach Virtual Circuit approach

Node takes routing decisions to forward the Node does not take any routing decision.
packets.

Congestion cannot occur as all the packets Congestion can occur when the node is busy,
travel in different directions. and it does not allow other packets to pass
through.

It is more flexible as all the packets are It is not very flexible.

treated as an independent entity.

Advantages Of Packet Switching:

 Cost-effective: In packet switching technique, switching devices do not require massive
secondary storage to store the packets, so cost is minimized to some extent. Therefore, we can
say that the packet switching technique is a cost-effective technique.

Reliable: If any node is busy, then the packets can be rerouted. This ensures that the Packet
Switching technique provides reliable communication.

Efficient: Packet Switching is an efficient technique. It does not require any established path prior
to the transmission, and many users can use the same communication channel simultaneously,
hence makes use of available bandwidth very efficiently.

Disadvantages Of Packet Switching:

Packet Switching technique cannot be implemented in those applications that require low delay
and high-quality services.

The protocols used in a packet switching technique are very complex and requires high
implementation cost.

If the network is overloaded or corrupted, then it requires retransmission of lost packets. It can
also lead to the loss of critical information if errors are nor recovered.

Most Asked MCQs on Switching Techniques

1. What is the primary function of switching in computer networks?

a. To connect different networks together

b. To transmit data in the form of packets or circuits
c. To provide security to the network
d. To manage network protocols

Show Answer Workspace

2. Which switching technique is most efficient for real-time voice and video transmission?

a. Packet switching
b. Circuit switching
c. Message switching
d. Frame switching
 Show Answer Workspace

3. In packet switching, how is data transmitted across the network?

a. In a continuous stream
b. Through a dedicated path
c. In discrete units called packets
d. By broadcasting

Show Answer Workspace

4. What is the one key advantage of message switching over circuit switching?

a. Faster setup time

b. No dedicated path required
c. Real-time transmission
d. Lower cost

Show Answer Workspace

5. Which of the following best describes the concept of virtual circuit in packet switching?

a. A temporary path established for each session

b. A permanent dedicated path
c. Broadcasting of packets to all nodes
d. Use of encryption for data security

Show Answer Workspace

Next Topic computer network

← prev next →
Related Posts

Multiplexing
What is ? is a technique used to combine and send the multiple data streams over a single
medium. The process of combining the data streams is known as multiplexing and
hardware used for multiplexing is known as a multiplexer. is achieved by using a device...

 6 min read

Digital Transmission

Data can be represented either in analog or digital form. The computers used the digital
form to store the information. Therefore, the data needs to be converted in digital form so
that it can be used by a computer. DIGITAL-TO-DIGITAL CONVERSION Digital-to-digital
encoding is the representation of digital...

 6 min read

Switching Modes

The layer 2 switches are used for transmitting the data on the data link layer, and it also
performs error checking on transmitted and received frames. The layer 2 switches forward
the packets with the help of MAC address. Different modes are used for forwarding the
packets known...
 3 min read

Guided Media
Guided Transmission Media in Computer Network Introduction Communication is an
essential component of the vast field of computer networks, which depends on a variety of
transmission methods to enable data exchange. In this procedure, guided transmission
media also referred to as bounded or wired media, are essential. These...

 7 min read

UnGuided Media
UnGuided Transmission An unguided transmission transmits the electromagnetic waves
without using any physical medium. Therefore it is also known as wireless transmission. In
unguided media, air is the media through which the electromagnetic energy can flow
easily. Unguided transmission is broadly classified into three categories: Radio waves Radio
waves are...

 4 min read

Transmission Media

What is Transmission media? Transmission media is a communication channel that carries

the information from the sender to the receiver. Data is transmitted through the
electromagnetic signals. The main functionality of the transmission media is to carry the
information in the form of bits through LAN(Local Area Network). It...

 2 min read

Switching

When a user accesses the internet or another computer network outside their immediate
location, messages are sent through the network of transmission media. This technique of
transferring the information from one computer network to another network is known as
switching. in a computer network is achieved...
 4 min read

Subscribe to Tpoint Tech

We request you to subscribe our newsletter for upcoming
updates.

Your Email Subscribe 

Learn Important Tutorial

 Python Java

Javascript HTML

Database PHP

C++ React

B.Tech / MCA

Data
DBMS
Structures
 Operating
DAA
System

Computer Compiler
Network Design

Computer Discrete
Organization Mathematics

Ethical Computer
Hacking Graphics

Web Software
Technology Engineering
 Cyber Automata
Security

C
C++
Programming

Java .Net

Python Programs

Control Data
System Warehouse

Preparation
 Aptitude Reasoning

Verbal Interview
Ability Questions

Company
Questions
Advertisement

Advertisement
 KIOXIA Former Toshiba Memory
EXCERIA Plus G3 NVMe™ Internal…
4.7 111

-29% 5,300
₹ 00
₹7,510.00

Shop now
Advertisement
 Advertisement

KIOXIA Former Toshiba Memory

EXCERIA Plus G3 NVMe™ Internal…
4.7 111

-29% 5,300
₹ 00
₹7,510.00

Shop now
Advertisement

Advertisement