Define circuit switching and packet switching Flashcards
1
Q
Circuit switching
A
Sets up dedicated path between 2 devices before they start communicating.
The path stays open the whole time they communicate.
No one else can use that path during the call or data transfer.
It’s how old phone calls used to work.
2
Q
Packet switching
A
Data is broken into small packets.
Each packet has the address of where it’s going.
Packets travel separately and can take different paths.
At the end, they are put back together in the right order.
Internet is packet switched.
