|
In circuit switching, a dedicated path is built between the source and destination, and the packets will all be sent over this dedicated path. If this sounds like a telephone call, you're right! A phone call is a great example of circuit switching. On a Cisco router, ISDN is a circuit-switching technology.
The deciding factor between circuit switching and packet switching comes down to the tolerance for delay. Not to say that packet switching is slow, but any reassembly takes time. While most packet-switching technologies are cheaper to run than most circuit-switching technologies, that cost is offset by the slight delay inherent to packet switching. For voice and video, circuit switching is the most effective.
Packet switching and circuit switching both have their place in today's Cisco networks, and don't be surprised if both topics show up on your CCNA certification exam as well!
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of over
100 free certification exam tutorials, including
Cisco CCNA certification test prep
articles. His exclusive
Cisco
CCNA study guide and Cisco CCNA training is also available! Visit his blog
and sign up for Cisco Certification Central, a daily newsletter packed with CCNA,
Network+, Security+, A+, and CCNP certification exam practice questions! A free
7-part course, “How To Pass The CCNA”, is also available, and you can attend an
in-person or online
CCNA boot camp with The Bryant Advantage!
|
|
SIGN
UP FOR FREE
