Question

Write three advantages and three disadvantages of ‘Packet Switching’ compared to ‘Circuit Switching’?

Answer 1

Three Advantages of packet switching when compared to Circuit switching is as follows

1. Utlitization of Network :Packet switching efficiently utilizes Network whereas Circuit Switching is inefficient in terms of utilization of system resources. As resources are allocated for the entire duration of connection, these are not available to other connections.

2. Charging users: Circuit Switching charges user on the distance and duration of connection but Packet Switching charges users only on the basis of duration of connectivity.

3. Route: All the packets do not follow same route in Packet Switching but in Circuit Switching all the packets follow same route. Dedicated channels require more bandwidth & as the connection is dedicated it cannot be used to transmit any other data even if the channel is free in circuit switching

Three Disdvantages of packet switching when compared to Circuit switching is as follows

1. Delay: Under packet switching, there is transmission delay while under circuit switching once the circuit is established, data is transmitted without any delay as there is no waiting time at each switch.

2. Loss of packet: Packets may be lost on their route and arrive in wrong order, so sequence numbers are required to identify missing packets. However in circuit switching there is no such issue.

3. RAM Access: Packet Switching requires large amount of RAM (Random Access Memory) to handle large amount of data communication in packets however in circuit switching the dedicated path/circuit established between sender and receiver provides a guaranteed data rate.

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