DATA COMMUNICATION Packet Switching Packet Switching In this

DATA COMMUNICATION : Packet Switching

Packet Switching In this type of switching, data is broken into smaller data units, called packets. Inside the network, each packet may be treated as if it were a small, complete message. The bandwidth can either be guaranteed for all packets or not. It is best suited for file transfer. However, if enough guarantees can be provided about the inter-gap times of voice signals, it can be used for voice as well (called packet voice). With the brief description of the nature of circuit and packet switching, it is easy to imagine that packet switching is most suitable for a data network capable of transporting all kinds of information together. However, this will result in a lot of processing of information before and during communication. Classification of these processing functions and networks makes it easier to keep track of all the communications issues and their study. Computer communications networks can be classified in many ways: their geographic scope being one that could be easily described at this stage. It must be noted that the following classification is not definition. It is meant to understand networks mainly from application point of view.

REFERENCES • Ahmad A. - Data Communication Principles. For Fixed and Wireless Networks • Cornelius T. Leondes - Database and Data Communication Network Systems, Three-Volume Set_. . -Academic Press