Difference Between Packet Switching and Circuit Switching

Parameter	Packet Switching	Circuit Switching
Definition	Packet switching a method which sets up a limited number of dedicated connections of constant bit rate and constant delay between nodes for exclusive use during the communication session.	Circuit switching is a methodology of implementing a telecommunications network in which two network nodes establish a dedicated communications channel (circuit) through the network before the nodes may communicate.
Bandwidth	It uses shared bandwidth of Channel.	It Uses Full Bandwidth of Channel.
Route/Path	Each packet is dispatched independently and each  may be routed via a different path.	The resources remain dedicated to the circuit during the entire data transfer and the entire message follows the same path.
Reliability	It is less reliable, since congestion on different paths may result in delay or loss of packets.	It is more reliable,since it uses dedicated circuit and chances of delay or loss are very few.
Price	Modern and in-expensive	Old and Expensive Technique

Key terms Used:

Sender: The individual that initiates a message in communication system is called sender. Anybody e.g. A speaker, Writer or somebody who merely gestures can be a sender.

Receiver: Reader, Observer or Listener in the communication system is called receiver.

Channel: Physical transmission medium through which message is passed from sender to receiver is called communication channel. That may be wired or wireless.

Protocol: These are the pre-defined, pre-agreed rules between sender and receiver for the communication.

Transmission: It is the process of sending and receiving digital and analog signals over wired and unwired network media.

Packets: It is the formatted data unit used in packet switched networks. Packets contain two types of data:

• Control Information: It Provides information like sender, receiver, communication path, error control and detection bits etc.
• User Data: Actual data to be sent.

Data Acknowledge: It is the signal passed between communicating processes to signify receipt of response, as a part of communication protocol.

Difference Between Packet Switching and Circuit Switching
Difference Between Packet and Circuit Switching Networks
Packet Switching vs Circuit Switching