Transcript Circuit Switched vs. Packet Switched Technology

Circuit Switched vs. Packet
Switched Technology
Old Technology vs. New
Technology
Circuit Switched Technology
Connection is established between 2 devices on a
network before they begin transmitting
Bandwidth is dedicated to this connection and
remains available only to the source and
destination devices until the connection is
terminated
During connection all data follows the same path 1st
selected by the switch or other connectivity device
Packet Switched Technology
Form of switching that breaks data into packets
or small groups of data before they are
transported
Size and content of each packet conform to
some predefined standard
Each packet contains a destination address
information about how to combine it with other
packets to recreate the original transmission
once the packets reach their destination
Advantages
Circuit Switched
Ensures 2 devices exclusive
use of a communication
channel
Transmissions between the 2
devices does not compete with
other devices on the network
Well suited for applications of
live radio and video
conferencing
Is used for modem
connections across PSTN,
ISDN, and T-carriers
Packet Switched
Packets are free to travel any
path on the network to their
destination
Makes it possible to find the
fastest circuit available at any
instance
Much faster and efficient
technique than circuit or
message switching
Enables Service Providers to
integrate 3rd party applications
with capabilities to interface
signaling between IP and PSTN
networks
Disadvantages
Circuit Switched
Monopolizes a piece of the
bandwidth which is not an
efficient technology
Can become overwhelmed by
continuous heavy traffic
In heavy traffic cannot prevent
data loss
This technology has been
defined as being
geographically limiting
Packet Switched
Replacement of the “Class-ful”
switches makes for concerns
because of E911 and CALEA
Cost of replacement of some
circuit switched equipment
Problems with latency when
data packets are jumping and
become scattered between
transmissions.
In case of power outages u
Next Generation
With growth it was soon discovered that the media gateways were not
dense enough for the levels of traffic they were handling
Estimates suggest that half of all traffic today on core networks is comprised
of data and within 5 yrs 90% of that traffic WILL be data
New demands for email, instant messaging, video conf and World Wide
Web applications were indicators of a growing demand for IP data based
communications as opposed to circuit switched communications
Evolution to IP alternatives for the PSTN would not have happened without
the softswitch technology
Necessity, high reliability, scalability and intelligence in the bypass network
became the mother of invention which came in the form of the softswitches
Next Gen ‘Cont
When economics of legacy equipment begin to favor the next generation of
technology the legacy equipment will be replaced by softswitch
architectures
New installations will have the advantage by purchasing and deploying
softswitch solutions from the beginning without the burden of integration of
older technology
Migration to softswitch can however be accomplished gradually since the
softswitch has also been designed to easily integrate with the legacy PSTN
Summary
Those who are deep into the old technology will be fractured by an
architecture that is cheaper, simpler, smaller and more convenient to
to use. They will not be quick to change until the economics show
acceptable cost savings. Most importantly, we don’t really know what
the applications are that customers will demand in the future. We do
know however that current voice-centric infrastructure of “class-full”
switches will not be able to support these converged voice/data/video
applications. This belief that customers will demand new services that
require a new infrastructure is widespread and I strongly believe that
it is an accurate belief! So the need to continually meet customer
expectations of quality over a network built from new technology
IS THE FUTURE!
What happens when old & new
technology are not converged?
ANY CARRIER THAT FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD
WITH NEW GENERATION IN THE NEXT 3 YEARS
WILL BE A GOOD CANDIDATE TO BE THE SUBJECT
OF A QUIZ SHOW QUESTION,…. WHAT COMPANY
USED TO BE A COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY BUT
NO LONGER EXIST???????