Introduction to

Switching
Techniques
Switching techniques are fundamental to data communication. They
dictate how data is transmitted and handled between different nodes
in a network.
by Mahendhran Naveen
SWITCHING
TECHNIQUE
Switching techniques play a crucial role in data transmission
across networks. They determine how data is routed and
delivered from a source to a destination. These techniques
differ in their approaches to establishing connections,
managing data flow, and ensuring reliable delivery. This
presentation will delve into three primary switching
techniques: Circuit Switching, Message Switching, and Packet
Switching.

by Naveen kumar
Types of Switching
1 Circuit Switching 2 Message Switching
Dedicated circuit
established between two Messages are stored and
points, similar to traditional forwarded at intermediate
telephone calls. nodes, suitable for data
transfer, but slower
compared to circuit
switching.

3 Packet Switching
Data is divided into packets, sent independently, and
reassembled at the destination, allowing flexible and efficient
utilization of network resources.
Circuit Switching
In Circuit Switching, a dedicated physical connection is established between the sender and receiver
before any data transmission can occur. This connection acts like a physical telephone line, ensuring a
continuous and exclusive path for data flow. Imagine two people having a phone conversation; a
dedicated line is established for their conversation, and no other calls can use that line until the
conversation ends.
This technique guarantees a dedicated bandwidth for data transmission, making it suitable for real-time
applications like voice calls and video conferencing. However, it also requires a significant setup time and
can be inefficient for applications that don't require constant data flow.

Advantages Disadvantages
• Guaranteed bandwidth • High setup cost
• Low latency • Inefficient for bursty data
• Suitable for real-time applications • Not scalable for large networks
Circuit Switching
1 Connection Establishment
A dedicated path is created between the sender and
receiver before data transmission.

2 Data Transmission
Data flows continuously over the established circuit,
similar to a dedicated phone line.

3 Connection Termination
The circuit is released after data transmission, releasing
network resources for other connections.
Circuit switching diagram
Sender Switches Receiver

Initiates the connection request. Establish and maintain the circuit Receives the data transmitted over
connection. the dedicated circuit.
Message Switching
Message Switching employs a store-and-forward approach where the source computer first
sends the entire message to a switching office. This switching office stores the message in its
buffer, looking for a free link to another switching office before forwarding it. This process
continues until the message reaches the destination.

Think of sending a letter through the postal service; it's stored at various post offices along its
journey before finally reaching the recipient. This technique is suitable for applications that
don't require real-time delivery and can tolerate delays, such as email and file transfers.
However, it can lead to significant latency as messages are stored and forwarded multiple
times.

1 Advantages
Flexibility in routing

2 Disadvantages
High latency

3 Applications
Email, file transfers

4 Key Concept
Store and Forward
Message switching
1 Message Creation
The sender creates a message to be transmitted.

2 Message Storage
The message is stored at intermediate nodes until the
destination becomes available.

3 Message Forwarding
The message is forwarded to the next node in the path,
hopping between nodes until it reaches the receiver.

4 Message Delivery
The message is delivered to the intended recipient.
Message switching
diagram
Message Stored at Message Message Delivered
Node 1 Forwarded to Node to Receiver
2
Node 1 Node 2 Receiver
Packet Switching
Packet Switching differs from Message Switching by breaking messages into
fixed-size packets before transmission. Each packet contains a header with
information about its destination and sequence number. These packets are then
sent independently across the network, potentially taking different routes to
reach their destination. Once all packets arrive, they are reassembled into the
original message.
Imagine sending a large document as separate pages through the postal service;
each page is addressed independently and can be delivered through different
routes. This approach significantly improves performance as packets are
processed and forwarded quickly. Moreover, it allows for better utilization of
network resources and increased network efficiency.

Feature Message Switching Packet Switching

Block size No limit Fixed size

Data storage Disk Main memory

Access time High Low

Throughput Low High

Packet switching
Packet Creation
The data is divided into small packets.

Packet Routing
Each packet is routed independently based on its destination address.

Packet Transmission
Packets are transmitted across the network over shared channels.

Packet Reassembly
Packets are reassembled at the receiver in the correct order.
Packet switching diagram
Sender Routers Receiver
Divides the data into packets and Forward packets based on their Reassembles the received packets
sends them over the network. destination addresses. in the correct order.
Packet Switching: A Closer Look
Packet Switching offers several advantages that make it a popular choice for modern networks. The ability to send packets
independently allows for efficient resource utilization and high network throughput. This means that multiple users can share the same
network infrastructure without experiencing significant performance degradation.

Moreover, Packet Switching offers flexibility in routing. Packets can take different paths across the network, increasing network
resilience in case of link failures. This adaptability is crucial in modern, dynamic networks where connections can change frequently.

Flexibility in Routing
Packets can take different paths, increasing network resilience.

High Throughput
Efficient resource utilization enables multiple users to share the network.

Improved Performance
Faster processing and forwarding of packets leads to lower latency and increased speed.

Scalability
Packet Switching easily adapts to growing network sizes and increased data traffic.
Advantages/disadvantages of Packet
switching
Advantages Disadvantages

1. Efficient resource utilization 1. Increased latency for real-time applications

2. Flexibility and scalability 2. Network congestion and packet loss
3. Error recovery and fault tolerance 3. Security vulnerabilities
Conclusion
Each switching technique presents its unique advantages and disadvantages. Circuit Switching
provides guaranteed bandwidth and low latency but comes at a cost of high setup time and
inefficient utilization for bursty data. Message Switching offers flexibility in routing but can suffer
from high latency due to message storage and forwarding.

Packet Switching has emerged as the dominant technique due to its high throughput, flexibility, and
scalability. It allows for efficient resource utilization, adapts to network changes, and caters to the
increasing demand for data transmission in modern networks. Understanding the nuances of these
switching techniques provides valuable insight into the fundamental workings of computer networks
and how data travels from one point to another.

Circuit Switching
Dedicated physical connection

Message Switching
Store and Forward

Packet Switching
Fixed-size packets
Conclusion and summary

Switching techniques are essential for efficient data communication.

Circuit switching provides a dedicated connection but is less flexible.
Message switching is suitable for slower data transfer. Packet
switching offers flexibility, scalability, and error recovery, but can be
more complex to implement.
by Naveen kumar