Switching :

• Switching in a computer network helps in deciding the best route for data transmission if there are multiple paths in a large network.

• Switching technique is used to connect systems for making one-to-one communication.

Types of switching :

1. Circuit switching

2. Message switching

3. Packet switching

1. Circuit switching :

• A dedicated path is established between the sender and receiver.

• Before data transfer the connection will be established first.

• Once the connection is established then the dedicated path will remain to exist until the connection is terminated.

• It is used in public telephone network. It is used for voice transmission.

2. Message switching :

• It is a store and forward mechanism.

• Message is transferred as a complete unit and forwarded using store and forward mechanism at the intermediary node.

• There is no establishment of a dedicated path between the sender and receiver.

• It is not suited for streaming media and real-time application.

3. Packet switching :

• In packet switching the message is sent all at once, but breaks it up into smaller parts that are transmitted separately.

• The message splits into smaller pieces known as packets and packets are given a unique number to identify their order at the receiving end.

• Packets will travel across the network, taking the shortest path as possible.

• If any packet is missing or corrupted, then the message will be sent to resend the message.

• If the correct order of the packets is reached, then the acknowledgment message will be sent.