What are the differences between circuit switching and packet switching?

Circuit switching establishes a dedicated communication path, while packet switching divides data into packets for transmission.

Circuit switching is a traditional method of communication in which a dedicated communication path is established between two devices. This path remains open for the duration of the communication, regardless of whether data is being transmitted or not. This method is often used in telephone networks, where a direct and continuous connection is required for the duration of a call. The main advantage of circuit switching is the constant and predictable communication rate, which is particularly useful for real-time services such as voice calls or video conferencing. However, it is not an efficient method for transmitting data that doesn't require a continuous connection, as the dedicated path remains open and unused during periods of silence or inactivity.

On the other hand, packet switching is a more modern method of communication that divides data into small packets for transmission. Each packet is labelled with the source and destination addresses, and can take any route through the network to reach its destination. This method is used in most digital networks, including the internet, where data can be sent and received in a non-sequential order. The main advantage of packet switching is its efficiency, as it allows multiple users to share the same network resources simultaneously. However, it can lead to variable communication rates and potential delays, as packets may arrive at their destination out of order or be lost in transit.

In summary, the main difference between circuit switching and packet switching lies in the way they handle data transmission. Circuit switching provides a dedicated path for continuous communication, making it ideal for real-time services, but less efficient for sporadic data transmission. Packet switching, meanwhile, divides data into packets that can be transmitted independently, making it more efficient for non-sequential data transmission, but potentially less reliable for real-time services.