Difference between revisions of "Packet Switching"
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|Introduction= | |Introduction= | ||
− | Have you ever | + | Have you ever wondered how information is transmitted over the Internet?<br /> |
− | + | It uses packet switching. Other methods, such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_switching Circuit Switching], also exist. | |
− | <br /> Packet switching refers to protocols in which information or | + | <br />Packet switching refers to protocols in which information or messages are broken up into small packets before being sent off. Each packet is then individually sent across the net, not necessary along the same route. A packet has a maximum length to prevent delays. Once all the packets arrive at their destination, they are recompiled into their original message. |
+ | |||
+ | |...by students=<em><b>When Traffic Stops</b> | ||
+ | <br />Have you experienced a webpage where its imagery and sound only partially loaded?<br/> | ||
+ | Imagine that each package that makes up this media is a car. In circuit-switching, if one car crashes, then all other cars would need to wait for that car to be fixed.<br/> | ||
+ | But, what about side-roads? One car could crash but others do not need to wait. They can use other roads.<br/> | ||
+ | Packet-switching is like that. There is no specific road that a package needs to travel.<br/> | ||
+ | </em> | ||
+ | |||
+ | |Content= | ||
==How does it work?== | ==How does it work?== | ||
− | + | Imagine that you have made a jigsaw puzzle. You are sending each piece of the puzzle to all your classmates you had in early childhood with a message that has the date, time and place to meet. Your goal is to gather all your classmates and construct the puzzle with everyone.<br/> | |
− | + | [[image:PackageS3.jpg|frame|none|puzzle sending]] | |
− | + | ||
+ | Packet switching works in the same way.<br/> | ||
+ | The message is packaged and sent to the destination. These packets may travel along different roads. As all the packets necessary to construct the message arrive at their destination, they are reassembled into the original message.<br/> | ||
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+ | ==Circuit-switching vs Packet-switching== | ||
+ | Circuit-switching is another protocol which sends messages to others. It is normally used in telephone communication. Circuit-switching is quicker then packet-switching. However, circuit-switching needs data to be sent in order and at the same time. | ||
+ | Packet-switching is more efficient and robust, and can withdraw some days in transmitting.<!--Clarify last part of sentence--> For that, packet-switching is better suited for emails and websites. Circuit-switching is more useful for real-time data transmission. | ||
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− | == | + | [[image:PackageS.jpg|frame|none|Image of Package Switching]] |
− | + | [[image:PackageS2.jpg|frame|none|Image of Circuit Switching]] | |
− | + | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Example=== | ||
+ | * [http://www.pbs.org/opb/nerds2.0.1/geek_glossary/packet_switching_flash.html packet_switching] Easy to understand: flash demonstration. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Further Readings== | ||
+ | *[http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question525.htm HowStuffWorks "What is a packet?"] Learn more about packets. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *[http://voip.about.com/od/voipbasics/a/switchingtypes.htm Circuit Switching vs. Packet Switching] Learn more about the differences between circuit-switching and packet-switching. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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* Shiri Chechik, Adi Gati [http://www3.rad.com/networks/2004/PacketSwitching/main.htm Protocols and Computer Networks Course at Tel Aviv University] | * Shiri Chechik, Adi Gati [http://www3.rad.com/networks/2004/PacketSwitching/main.htm Protocols and Computer Networks Course at Tel Aviv University] | ||
* The Linux Information Project[http://www.linfo.org/packet_switching.html Packet Switching Definition]November 4, 2005. | * The Linux Information Project[http://www.linfo.org/packet_switching.html Packet Switching Definition]November 4, 2005. | ||
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|Previous=[[Domain Names, IP Addresses and URLs]] | |Previous=[[Domain Names, IP Addresses and URLs]] |
Latest revision as of 11:01, 9 December 2009
COMP1260 > Understanding the Internet
IntroductionHave you ever wondered how information is transmitted over the Internet?
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...by studentsWhen Traffic Stops
|
How does it work?
Imagine that you have made a jigsaw puzzle. You are sending each piece of the puzzle to all your classmates you had in early childhood with a message that has the date, time and place to meet. Your goal is to gather all your classmates and construct the puzzle with everyone.
Packet switching works in the same way.
The message is packaged and sent to the destination. These packets may travel along different roads. As all the packets necessary to construct the message arrive at their destination, they are reassembled into the original message.
Circuit-switching vs Packet-switching
Circuit-switching is another protocol which sends messages to others. It is normally used in telephone communication. Circuit-switching is quicker then packet-switching. However, circuit-switching needs data to be sent in order and at the same time. Packet-switching is more efficient and robust, and can withdraw some days in transmitting. For that, packet-switching is better suited for emails and websites. Circuit-switching is more useful for real-time data transmission.
Example
- packet_switching Easy to understand: flash demonstration.
Further Readings
- HowStuffWorks "What is a packet?" Learn more about packets.
- Circuit Switching vs. Packet Switching Learn more about the differences between circuit-switching and packet-switching.
References
- Wikipedia
- Shiri Chechik, Adi Gati Protocols and Computer Networks Course at Tel Aviv University
- The Linux Information ProjectPacket Switching DefinitionNovember 4, 2005.
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