What is Packet Switching?

Packet switching refers to protocols in which messages are divided into packets before they are sent. Each packet is then transmitted individually and can even follow different routes to its destination.

Once all the packets forming a message arrive at the destination, they are recompiled into the original message.

Most modern Wide Area Network (WAN) protocols, including TCP/IP, X.25, and Frame Relay, are based on packet-switching technologies.

In contrast, normal telephone service is based on a circuit-switching technology, in which a dedicated line is allocated for transmission between two parties.

Circuit-switching is ideal when data must be transmitted quickly and must arrive in the same order in which it is sent. This is the case with most real-time data, such as live audio and video.

Packet switching is more efficient and robust for data that can withstand some delays in transmission, such as e-mail messages and Web pages.

What is a Packet?

A group of binary digits switched as a whole - for instance, a file transfer over a packet switched network would require many steps.

These steps are: 1) the data file would be broken down into smaller "packets" of information 2) each packet of information is assigned a code that enables it to be sent to the correct location and, once at that location, for the network to reassemble the packets of information into their original form.

What is a Packet Switched Network?

A packet switched network is simply a digital data transmission network that uses packet switching technology.

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