Circuit switching is a method of implementing a telecommunications network in which two network nodes establish a dedicated communications channel (circuit) through the network before the nodes may communicate. In circuit switching, a physical path is obtained and dedicated to a single connection between two endpoints in the network for the duration of the connection. The resources along the path are reserved for that circuit for the duration of the connection, and the three phases of communication in a circuit-switched network are circuit establishment, data transfer, and tear down.
Some examples of where circuit switching is used include long-distance communication, traditional telephone systems, and transmitting susceptible and continuous information streams such as voice transmission. Circuit switching provides a guaranteed quality of service, which means that the network can prioritize certain types of traffic, such as voice and video, over other types of traffic, such as email and web browsing. It also provides a higher level of security compared to packet switching since the dedicated communication path is only accessible to the two communicating parties.
However, circuit switching is an expensive technology as it requires dedicated communication paths, which can be costly to set up and maintain. It is also less feasible for small-scale networks and applications. Circuit switching is susceptible to failure, and the circuit establishment process is complicated.
In summary, circuit switching is a switching technique in which data travels along a dedicated communication path between a source and a destination, and the resources along the path are reserved for that circuit for the duration of the connection. It is used for connections that must be continuous for long periods of time, such as long-distance communication, and provides a guaranteed quality of service and a higher level of security compared to packet switching. However, it is an expensive technology and less feasible for small-scale networks and applications.
