Switching in Computer Networks-
The process of moving the data packets towards their destination by
forwarding them from one port to the other port is called as switching.
Switching Techniques-
Various switching techniques are-
1. Circuit Switching
2. Message Switching
3. Packet Switching
Circuit Switching-
This switching technique operates in the following three phases-
1. Establishing a circuit
2. Transferring the data
3. Disconnecting the circuit
1. Establishing A Circuit-
In this phase,
A circuit is established between the two ends.
Circuit provides a dedicated path for data to travel from one to the other end.
Resources are reserved at intermediate switches which are used during the transmission.
The intermediate switches are connected by the physical links.
2. Transferring The Data-
After the circuit is established,
The entire data travels over the dedicated path from one end to the other end.
3. Disconnecting The Circuit-
After the data transfer is completed,
The circuit is torn down i.e. disconnected.
Total Time-
Total time taken to transmit a message in circuit switched network
= Connection set up time + Transmission delay + Propagation delay + Tear down time
where-
Transmission delay = Message size / Bandwidth
Propagation delay = (Number of hops on way x Distance between 2 hops) / Propagation speed
Advantages-
Circuit switching has the following advantages-
A well defined and dedicated path exists for the data to travel.
There is no header overhead.
There is no waiting time at any switch and the data is transmitted without any delay.
Data always reaches the other end in order.
No re ordering is required.
Disadvantages-
Circuit switching has the following disadvantages-
The channel is blocked for two ends only.
It is inefficient in terms of utilization of system resources.
The time required for establishing the circuit between the two ends is too long.
Dedicated channels require more bandwidth.
It is more expensive than other switching techniques.
Routing decisions can not be changed once the circuit is established.
Important Notes-
Circuit switching is implemented at physical layer.
Circuit switching is now outdated.
PRACTICE PROBLEM BASED ON CIRCUIT
SWITCHING TECHNIQUE-
Problem-
Consider all links in the network use TDM with 24 slots and have a data rate of 1.536 Mbps. Assume that host A takes 500 msec to
establish an end to end circuit with host B before begin to transmit the file. If the file is 512 kilobytes, then how much time will it take to
send the file from host A to host B?
Solution-
Given-
Total bandwidth = 1.536 Mbps
Bandwidth is shared among 24 slots
Connection set up time = 500 msec
File size = 512 KB
Calculating Bandwidth Per User-
Total bandwidth = Number of users x Bandwidth per user
So, Bandwidth per user
= Total bandwidth / Number of users
= 1.536 Mbps / 24
= 0.064 Mbps
= 64 Kbps
Calculating Transmission Delay-
Transmission delay (Tt)
= File size / Bandwidth
= 512 KB / 64 Kbps
= (512 x 210 x 8 bits) / (64 x 103 bits per sec)
= 65.536 sec
= 65536 msec
Calculating Time Required To Send File-
Time taken to send a file in circuit switched network
= Connection set up time + Transmission delay
= 500 msec + 65536 msec
= 66036 sec
= 66.036 msec
