Oda Bultum University

Institute of Technology
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
(Communication Engineering)
5th year Second semester
Switching and Intelligent Networks
By: Ahmed A. (MSc)
 Chapter 1
 Outline
 Introduction to Switching function.
 Switching Basics
 Switching models and functions
 Switching Requirements and evaluations
 Switching Techniques
 What is a switch?
 Switch is a network device that has multiple ports, used to connect computer
devices and create a network.
 Switching is the transfer of data packets, or blocks of data, through a network
switch.
 Switches transfer data from source ports on devices such as computers to
destination ports on devices such as routers.
 A switch is a basic network equipment that is widely used almost in all network
types. They are responsible for switching in a network.
 Switching is one of the most important process in network World with routing.
 Switching is the process of forwarding incoming packets from a port, to another
port. In switching there are two keywords for the ports used in this process.
 These are: Ingress port and Egress port. Ingress port is the port that the packet
comes and the egress port is the port that the packet is forwarded.
Switching can be divided into two categories according to connection type. These are:
 Connectionless

 Connection Oriented

Connectionless Switching is the switching type that do not require any connection
before the process. With the help of forwarding tables, switching process occurs.
Connection Oriented Switching is the switching type that requires a connection
between two endpoints that the switching will be done.
In other words, a circuit is established.

The data is forwarded over this circuit in this type of switching.

 Types of Switching Techniques
Different switching techniques can be used in different applications. So, what
are these types? These are:
1) Circuit Switching
2) Packet Switching
3) Message Switching
 Circuit switching is the switching type with which dedicated communication
paths (circuits) are used.
In this type of switching, a dedicated circuit (path) is established and the
communication occurs over this circuit.
During the session this path remains and after termination of the communication,
circuit is also terminated.
 Circuit Switching phases are:
1) Circuit Establishment
2) Data Transfer
3) Circuit Disconnect
Circuit switching can be used in various applications. Especially voice
applications are suitable for this type of switching.
For example, public telephone lines are very good example for this type.
The communication in telephone is done over circuits between caller and the
destination.
There is an important mechanism in Circuit Switching.
Before data transmission, a request signal is sent to the receiver and after that
receiver sends an Acknowledgement that shows the availability of the circuit.
After this Acknowledgement, data transmission starts.
 Advantages and disadvantages of Circuit Switching
What are the advantages of Circuit Switching?
The advantage of this type of switching is using dedicated channels.
These dedicated channels are fixed channels that are used specifically for this
communication.
 What are the disadvantages of Circuit Switching?
 In Circuit Switching, session establishment need for time so this causes more
delays.
 The dedicated channel has advantages but they are expensive.
This type works on dedicated paths. So, you can not use another data over this
channel.
 Packet Switching
Packet Switching is another type that is done mainly dividing the message into
smaller packets.
Each packet become independent path from other packets and with its own header.

 In the header used in packet switching, there are different information about the
packet like source IP address, destination IP addresses, sequence number etc.
Here, each packet has a unique sequence number that provides identification of
the packet at the destination.
At the destination, the packets can be received in the correct order. After receiving
the packets in the correct order, the acknowledgement is sent.
 There are two approaches of Packet switching.
• These are:
1. Datagram Packet
2. Virtual Circuit
 Datagram Packet Switching is also known as Connectionless Switching.
Here, the packets include the destination information and this information is used to
determine the correct destination.
Each packet treated independently and at the other end, packets reassembled again.
In Datagram Packet Switching, there is no fixed path. The path is determined with
routing decision.
 In fact, the two packets can take different routes
 Packets are called datagrams
 Implications of datagram packet switching:
• A sequence of packets can be received in a different order than it was sent
• Each packet header must contain the full address of the destination.
 Virtual-Circuit Switching
 Virtual Circuit Switching is also known as Connection-Oriented Switching.
Here, call request and call accept messages are used to establish a session between
receiver and the sender.
There is a fixed predetermined circuit in this type of switching.
The most important example for packet switching is Internet.
Internet uses packet switching technique and every packet on internet can be sent
independently with specific behaviors and conditions.
 Virtual-circuit switching is a hybrid of circuit switching and packet switching
– All data is transmitted as packets
– Emulates a circuit-switched network
 All packets from one packet stream are sent along a pre-established path (=virtual
circuit)
– Guarantees in-sequence delivery of packets
– Note: Packets from different virtual circuits may be interleaved
 Virtual-Circuit Switching
 Communication with virtual circuits (VC) takes place in three phases:
1. VC Establishment
2. Data Transfer
3. VC Disconnect
 Note: Packet headers don’t need to contain the full destination address of the
packet
 Circuit-switched and virtual-circuit packet-switched networks are said to
provide a connection-oriented service.
 Packet Forwarding and Routing
• There are two parts to the routing problem:
1. How to pass a packet from an input interface to the output interface of a router
(packet forwarding).
2. How to calculate routes (routing algorithm).
 Packet forwarding is done differently in datagram and virtual-circuit packet
networks
 Route calculation is similar in datagram and virtual-circuit networks
 Circuit Switching Datagram Packet Switching VC Switching
 Dedicated transmission  No dedicated  No dedicated
path transmission path transmission path
 Continuous  Transmission of packets  Transmission of
transmission  Route of each packet is packets
 Path stays fixed for entire independent  Path stays fixed for entire
connection  No setup delay connection
 Call setup delay   Call setup delay
Transmission delay for each
 Negligible transmission packet  Transmission delay for each
delay  Queuing delays at packet
 No queuing delay switches  Queueing delays at
 Busy signal overloaded  Delays increase in switches
overloaded networks  Delays increase in
network
 Fixed bandwidth for each  Bandwidth is shared by all overloaded networks
packets  Bandwidth is shared by all
circuit
 No overhead after call setup  Overhead in each packet packets
 Advantages and disadvantages of Packet Switching
1. What are the advantages of Packet Switching?
There are three main advantages of Packet Switching. These advantages are:
 Cost-effective
 Reliable
 Efficient
In packet switching, there is no need for store and forward mechanism.
So, it need low resources. This make it a cost-effective solution.
The packet is sent another time if the destination is busy.
So, this make packet switching a reliable mechanisms.
By using different channels at the same time and there is no need for a fixed path, packet
switching is an efficient mechanism.
2. What are the disadvantages of Packet Switching?
 First of all, there are different protocols and concepts used in this type of switching. The
implementation and maintenance are difficult.
Secondly, packet switching cannot used for high quality and low delay required applications.
 Message Switching
Message Switching is the technique that is similar to both circuit switching and
packet switching. In other words, it is in the middle.
In this type of switching, the entire packet is treated completely.
During the data transmission, the entire message is stored in each node and when
the path is available, it is sent completely.
Here, there is a buffer mechanism named store and forward, so this type of
switching need more resources and it is a slow.
So, this type of switching is good for the applications that do not need fast
transmission.
In Message switching, there is no to establish dedicated circuit between
originator and the destination.
The message includes the destination address and according to this message,
dynamic routing is done between the sender and the receiver.
Advantages and disadvantages of Message Switching
1. What are the advantages of Message Switching?
Message Switching is an efficient mechanism. Because, the data channels are
shared between devices.
Message Switching, traffic congestion is reduced. Because, there is a store and
forward mechanism.
The other advantage is, there is a prioritization mechanism in packet switching.
Lastly, the size of the message can be in different sizes in this type of switching.
2. What are the disadvantages of Message Switching?
Store and forward mechanism. This mechanism needs sufficient resources and
it causes long delays.
So, it is not suitable for the applications that need fast transmission.
This type of switching can be a little costly because of more resource
requirement.
 Switching Basics:
Models
• A simple way of structuring a switched network is to arrange that each terminal has a direct
transmission link to every other terminal
• For N terminals this arrangement needs a total of1/2N(N -1) links
 Distributed Model

•Full interconnection for five terminals. Some form of switching is needed within each terminal to
connect it to the appropriate link
 Switching Basics: Models
 An alternative approach which needs only N links is to provide one link per terminal and
to arrange that all other terminals have access to it.

 Use of one channel per terminal .

 Each terminal is permanently connected to one channel and all other terminals may access a
particular terminal by operating a switch which connects it to the appropriate channel.
 Switching Basics: Models

 Centralized Models
 The distributed system cannot be extended to large terminal cases and the
increased geographical separation of terminals.
 A simple centralized system reduces the average length of transmission link,
and hence the transmission cost.
 Long distance transmission is typically done over a network of switched
nodes.
 A collection of nodes and connections is a communications network.
 A network is made up of end hosts and intermediate switching nodes.
 Data routed by being switched from node to node.
 Data is usually passed through a network of intermediate switching node.
 Switching Basics: Models
 The Switching nodes:
• Not concerned with the contents of the data;
• Provide a switching facility that will move data from node to node until they
reach their destination
 Some nodes only connect to other nodes and Some nodes connect to end hosts
also.
 Usually the network is not fully connected; there is not a direct link between
each pair of nodes.
 If there are more than one paths between any pair of nodes; this increases the
reliability of the network.
 Node-Node links are usually multiplexed
Switching Basics: Models
 Switching Basics: Models
 Hierarchical systems: The process of centralizing switching centers can occur at several
levels leads to what is called a hierarchical network .
 Switching Functions
1. Identity: The local switching center must react to a calling signal from calling
subscriber and must be able to receive information to identify the required
destination terminal seize.
2. Addressing: The switching system must be able to identify the called subscriber
from the input information. The address may be in same local centre or some other
exchange. If the terminal or trunk group is busy, a suitable signal must be returned
to the calling subscriber.
3. Finding and path setup: Once the calling subscriber destination is identified and
the called subscriber is available, an accept signal is passed to the switching system
and calling subscriber. Based on the availability, suitable path will be selected.
 Switching Functions
4. Busy testing: If number dialed by the calling subscriber is wrong or the called subscriber is
busy (not attending the phone) or the terminal may be free (lifting the phone) but no response
(not willing to talk or children handling), a switching system has to pass a corresponding voice
message or busy tone after waiting for some time (status).
5. Supervision: Once the path is setup between calling and called subscriber, it should be
supervised in order to detect answer and clear down conditions and recording billing
information.
6. Clear down: When the established call is completed, the path setup should be disconnected.
7. Billing: A switching system should have a mechanism to meter to count the number of units
made during the conversation. The cumulative number of units made for a particular duration
by the calling subscriber is calculated. This information and if any should be sent to the called
 Switching Requirements and Evaluations
1. High availability
• The telephone system must be very reliable.
• System reliability can be expressed mathematically as the ratio of uptime to sum of the
uptime and down time.

• Dual Processor: A dual processor system is said to have failed only when both processor
fails and the total system is unavailable.
• The MTBF of dual processor is given by
 Switching Requirements and Evaluations
Example: Given that MTBF = 2000 hrs and MTTR = 4 hrs. Calculate the unavailability for
single and dual processor systems for 10 years and 30 years. Solution:

2. High speed
• The switching speed should be high enough to make use of the switching system efficiently.
• The speed of switching depends on how quickly the control signals are transmitted.
 Switching Requirements and Evaluations
3. Low down time
• The down time is the total time the switching system is not operating satisfactorily.
• The down time is low enough to have high availability. The unavailability of switching
system may be due to failure of equipments, troubles in transmission media, human errors in
switching
4. Good facilities
• A switching system must have various facilities to serve the subscriber.
• For example wake up calls, address identification on phone number or phone number
identification on address, recording facilities, quick service for the emergency numbers, good
accessibility
• Also it should have good servicing facilities in case of repair of equipments, skilled
technicians, standby systems
5. High security
• To ensure satisfied or correct operation (i.e., providing path and supervising the entire
calls to pass necessary control signals) provision should be provided in the switching
system
 Switching Design Goals
 Capacity of switch is the maximum rate at which it can move information,
assuming all data paths are simultaneously active.
 Primary goal: maximize capacity

 subject to cost and reliability constraints

 Circuit switch must reject call if can’t find a path for samples from input to output

 goal: minimize call blocking

 Packet switch must reject a packet if it can’t find a buffer to store it awaiting
access to output trunk
 goal: minimize packet loss and waiting time 28
End OF Chapter 1

Thank You