Packet and Circuit Switching

Packet switching and circuit switching are two different technologies used in communication networks.

In packet switching, data is transmitted in small units called packets. Each packet contains a header and a payload. The header contains information about the source and destination of the packet, as well as information needed for the transmission of the packet. The payload contains the actual data being transmitted. Packet switching is used in networks such as the Internet, where data is transmitted between multiple nodes.

In circuit switching, a dedicated physical connection is established between two endpoints for the duration of the communication session. The connection remains open and dedicated for the entire session, even if there is no data being transmitted. Circuit switching is used in traditional telephone networks, where a dedicated physical connection is established between the two endpoints for the duration of the call.

The main difference between the two is that packet switching is a connectionless technology where data is transmitted in small packets through different paths and the path is determined at the moment of transmission. Whereas circuit switching is a connection-oriented technology where a dedicated path is established before the actual data transmission starts.