A network is a set of connected devices. Whenever we have multiple devices, we have the problem of how to connect them to make one-to-one communication possible. One solution is to make a point-to-point connection between each pair of devices (a mesh topology) or between a central device and every other device (a star topology). These methods, however, are impractical and wasteful when applied to very large networks. The number and length of the links require too much infrastructure to be cost-efficient, and the majority of those links would be idle most of the time. Other topologies employing multipoint connections, such as a bus, are ruled out because the distances between devices and the total number of devices increase beyond the capacities of the media and equipment. A better solution is switching. A switched network consists of a series of interlinked nodes, called switches. Switches are devices capable of creating temporary connections between two or more devices linked to the switch. In a switched network, some of these nodes are connected to the end systems (computers or telephones, for example). Others are used only for routing.
Traditionally, three methods of switching have been important: circuit switching, packet switching, and message switching. The first two are commonly used today. The third has been phased out in general communications but still has networking applications. We can then divide today's networks into three broad categories: circuit-switched networks, packet-switched networks, and message-switched. Packet-switched networks can further be divided into two subcategories--virtual-circuit networks and datagram networks.
We can say that the virtual-circuit networks have some common characteristics with circuit-switched and datagram networks. Thus, we first discuss circuit-switched networks, then datagram networks, and finally virtual-circuit networks. Today the tendency in packet switching is to combine datagram networks and virtual- circuit networks. Networks route the first packet based on the datagram addressing idea, but then create a virtual-circuit network for the rest of the packets coming from the same source and going to the same destination. In message switching, each switch stores the whole message and forwards it to the next switch. Although, we don't see message switching at lower layers, it is still used in some applications like electronic mail (e-mail).
Traditionally, three methods of switching have been important: circuit switching, packet switching, and message switching. The first two are commonly used today. The third has been phased out in general communications but still has networking applications. We can then divide today's networks into three broad categories: circuit-switched networks, packet-switched networks, and message-switched. Packet-switched networks can further be divided into two subcategories--virtual-circuit networks and datagram networks.
We can say that the virtual-circuit networks have some common characteristics with circuit-switched and datagram networks. Thus, we first discuss circuit-switched networks, then datagram networks, and finally virtual-circuit networks. Today the tendency in packet switching is to combine datagram networks and virtual- circuit networks. Networks route the first packet based on the datagram addressing idea, but then create a virtual-circuit network for the rest of the packets coming from the same source and going to the same destination. In message switching, each switch stores the whole message and forwards it to the next switch. Although, we don't see message switching at lower layers, it is still used in some applications like electronic mail (e-mail).
CIRCUIT-SWITCHED NETWORKS
A circuit-switched network consists of a set of switches connected by physical links. A connection between two stations is a dedicated path made of one or more links. How- ever, each connection uses only one dedicated channel on each link. Each link is normally divided into n channels by using FDM or TDM.A circuit-switched network is made of a set of switches connected by physical links,in which each link is divided into n channels.
We have explicitly shown the multiplexing symbols to emphasize the division of the link into channels even though multiplexing can be implicitly included in the switch fabric. The end systems, such as computers or telephones, are directly connected to a switch. We have shown only two end systems for simplicity. When end system A needs to communicate with end system M, system A needs to request a connection to M that must be accepted by all switches as well as by M itself. This is called the setup phase; a circuit (channel) is reserved on each link, and the combination of circuits or channels defines the dedicated path. After the dedicated path made of connected circuits (channels) is established, data transfer can take place. After all data have been transferred, the circuits are tom down.
We need to emphasize several points here:
1. switching takes place at the physical layer.
2. Before starting communication, the stations must make a reservation for the resources to be used during the communication. These resources, such as channels (bandwidth in FDM and time slots in TDM), switch buffers, switch processing time, and switch input/output ports, must remain dedicated during the entire duration of data transfer until the teardown phase.
3. transferred between the two stations axe not packetized (physical layer transfer of the signal). The data are a continuous flow sent by the source station and received by the destination station, although there may be periods of silence.
4. There is no addressing involved during data transfer. The switches route the data based on their occupied band (FDM) or time slot (TDM). Of course, there is end-to- end addressing used during the setup phase, as we will see shortly.
We need to emphasize several points here:
1. switching takes place at the physical layer.
2. Before starting communication, the stations must make a reservation for the resources to be used during the communication. These resources, such as channels (bandwidth in FDM and time slots in TDM), switch buffers, switch processing time, and switch input/output ports, must remain dedicated during the entire duration of data transfer until the teardown phase.
3. transferred between the two stations axe not packetized (physical layer transfer of the signal). The data are a continuous flow sent by the source station and received by the destination station, although there may be periods of silence.
4. There is no addressing involved during data transfer. The switches route the data based on their occupied band (FDM) or time slot (TDM). Of course, there is end-to- end addressing used during the setup phase, as we will see shortly.
In circuit switching, the resources need to be reserved during the setup phase; the resources remain dedicated for the entire duration of data transfer until the teardown phase.
Three Phases
The actual communication in a circuit-switched network requires three phases: connection setup, data transfer, and connection teardown.
Setup Phase
Setup Phase
Before the two parties (or multiple parties in a conference call) can communicate, a dedicated circuit (combination of channels in links) needs to be established. The end systems are normally connected through dedicated lines to the switches, so connection setup means creating dedicated channels between the switches.
Data Transfer Phase
After the establishment of the dedicated circuit (channels), the two parties can transfer data.
Teardown Phase
It can be argued that circuit-switched networks are not as efficient as the other two types of networks because resources are allocated during the entire duration of the connection. These resources are unavailable to other connections. In a telephone network, people normally terminate the communication when they have finished their conversation. However, in computer networks, a computer can be connected to another computer even if there is no activity for a long time. In this case, allowing resources to be dedicated means that other connections are deprived.
Delay
Circuit-Switched Technology in Telephone Networks
Data Transfer Phase
After the establishment of the dedicated circuit (channels), the two parties can transfer data.
Teardown Phase
When one of the parties needs to disconnect, a signal is sent to each switch to release the resources.
EfficiencyIt can be argued that circuit-switched networks are not as efficient as the other two types of networks because resources are allocated during the entire duration of the connection. These resources are unavailable to other connections. In a telephone network, people normally terminate the communication when they have finished their conversation. However, in computer networks, a computer can be connected to another computer even if there is no activity for a long time. In this case, allowing resources to be dedicated means that other connections are deprived.
Delay
Although a circuit-switched network normally has low efficiency, the delay in this type of network is minimal. During data transfer the data are not delayed at each switch; the resources are allocated for the duration of the connection.
Circuit-Switched Technology in Telephone Networks
the telephone companies have previously chosen the circuit switched approach to switching in the physical layer; today the tendency is moving toward other switching techniques. For example, the telephone number is used as the global address, and a signaling system (called SS7) is used for the setup and teardown phases.
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