Differentiate between Circuit Switching, Message Switching, and Packet Switching


Circuit Switching

In this approach, there is a dedicated route between sender and receiver. Before the link is determined in the circuit switching approach, the dedicated route will continue until the connection is eliminated.

Message Switching

Message Switching is an approach in which a message is sent as a whole unit and routed by the intermediate hub at which it is saved and delivered. There is no installation of a dedicated route between the sender and receiver in the message switching approach.

The destination location is added to the message. It supports flexible routing as the message is routed by the intermediate hub based on its data.

Packet Switching

Packet switching is a switching approach in which the message is transmitted in one go, but it is split into the lower item, and they are sent separately. The message divided into lower elements are called packets, and these packets are provided with a specific number to recognize their series at the receiving end.

Data is sent in various units of variable length of structures which are known as packets in a packet-switched network. Each packet includes some data in its headers, including source address, destination address and order number.

BasicsCircuit SwitchingMessage SwitchingPacket Switching
Connection Creation
Connection is created between the source and destination by establishing a dedicated path between source and destination.
Links are created independently one by one between the nodes on the way.
Links are created independently one by one between the nodes on the way.
Queuing
No queue is formed.
Queue is formed.
Queue is formed.
Message and Packets
There is one big entire data stream called a message.
There is one big entire data stream called a message.
The big message is divided into a small number of packets.
Routing
One single dedicated path exists between the source and destination.
Messages follow the independent route to reach a destination.
Packets follow the independent path to hold the destination.
Addressing and sequencing
Messages need not be addressed as there is one dedicated path.
Messages are addressed as independent routes are established.
Packets are addressed, and sequencing is done as all the packets follow the independent route.
Propagation Delay
             No
                    Yes
                 Yes
Transmission Capacity
             Low
                 Maximum
             Maximum
Sequence Order
Message arrives in Sequence.
Message arrives in Sequence.
Packets do not appear in sequence at the destination.
Use Bandwidth
Wastage
Bandwidth is used to its maximum extent.
Bandwidth is used to its maximum extent.

Updated on: 04-May-2021

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