Packet Switching
Packet switching is a network communication method where a message is broken down into smaller packets, and these packets are individually sent through the network. There are two primary approaches to packet switching.
Datagram Approach
Characteristics:
- No need to establish a connection path.
- Each packet is treated independently.
Advantages:
- Lower overhead as retransmission only involves smaller packets.
- Overlapping of transmissions is possible.
Consideration:
- Suited for applications with less strict delay requirements.
Virtual Circuit Approach
Characteristics:
- Requires establishing a connection path.
- All packets follow the same established connection path.
Advantages:
- More suitable for interactive traffic with smaller delays.
Consideration:
- Involves more overhead due to connection setup.
- Suitable for applications with stringent delay requirements.
Key Points of Packet Switching
- Packetization: Breaking a message into smaller packets allows for more efficient transmission and retransmission.
- Independence: Each packet is treated independently, providing flexibility in routing and transmission.
- Overhead: The datagram approach reduces overhead as each packet operates independently.
- Connection Establishment: The virtual circuit approach requires the establishment of a connection path for all packets.
- Delay Consideration: The virtual circuit approach is more suitable for interactive traffic due to lower delay.
Packet switching is a fundamental concept in modern networking, allowing for efficient and flexible communication across diverse applications and systems. The choice between datagram and virtual circuit approaches depends on the specific requirements of the communication and the nature of the traffic being transmitted.
