Computer Network |Switching techniques
Switched communication networks are
those in which data transferred from source to destination is routed between
various intermediate nodes. Switching is the technique by which nodes control
or switch data to transmit it between specific points on a network. There are 3
common switching techniques:
1. Circuit Switching
2. Packet Switching
3. Message Switching
Message
Switching –
Message switching was a technique developed as an alternate to circuit switching, before packet switching was introduced. In message switching, end users communicate by sending and receiving messages that included the entire data to be shared. Messages are the smallest individual unit.
Also, the sender and receiver are not directly connected. There are a number of intermediate nodes transfer data and ensure that the message reaches its destination. Message switched data networks are hence called hop-by-hop systems.
Message switching was a technique developed as an alternate to circuit switching, before packet switching was introduced. In message switching, end users communicate by sending and receiving messages that included the entire data to be shared. Messages are the smallest individual unit.
Also, the sender and receiver are not directly connected. There are a number of intermediate nodes transfer data and ensure that the message reaches its destination. Message switched data networks are hence called hop-by-hop systems.
They provide 2 distinct and
important characteristics:
1. Store and forward – The
intermediate nodes have the responsibility of transferring the entire message
to the next node. Hence, each node must have storage capacity. A message will
only be delivered if the next hop and the link connecting it are both
available, otherwise it’ll be stored indefinitely. A store-and-forward switch
forwards a message only if sufficient resources are available and the next hop
is accepting data. This is called the store-and-forward property.
2. Message delivery – This
implies wrapping the entire information in a single message and transferring it
from the source to the destination node. Each message must have a header that
contains the message routing information, including the source and destination.
Message switching network consists
of transmission links (channels), store-and-forward switch nodes and end
stations as shown in the following picture:
Characteristics of message switching –
Message switching is advantageous as it enables efficient usage of network resources. Also, because of the store-and-forward capability of intermediary nodes, traffic can be efficiently regulated and controlled. Message delivery as one unit, rather than in pieces, is another benefit.
However, message switching has certain disadvantages as well. Since messages are stored indefinitely at each intermediate node, switches require large storage capacity. Also, these are pretty slow. This is because at each node, first there us wait till the entire message is received, then it must be stored and transmitted after processing the next node and links to it depending on availability and channel traffic. Hence, message switching cannot be used for real time or interactive applications like video conference.
Applications –
The store-and-forward method was implemented in telegraph message switching centres. Today, although many major networks and systems are packet-switched or circuit switched networks, their delivery processes can be based on message switching. For example, in most electronic mail systems the delivery process is based on message switching, while the network is in fact either circuit-switched or packet-switched.
Message switching is advantageous as it enables efficient usage of network resources. Also, because of the store-and-forward capability of intermediary nodes, traffic can be efficiently regulated and controlled. Message delivery as one unit, rather than in pieces, is another benefit.
However, message switching has certain disadvantages as well. Since messages are stored indefinitely at each intermediate node, switches require large storage capacity. Also, these are pretty slow. This is because at each node, first there us wait till the entire message is received, then it must be stored and transmitted after processing the next node and links to it depending on availability and channel traffic. Hence, message switching cannot be used for real time or interactive applications like video conference.
Applications –
The store-and-forward method was implemented in telegraph message switching centres. Today, although many major networks and systems are packet-switched or circuit switched networks, their delivery processes can be based on message switching. For example, in most electronic mail systems the delivery process is based on message switching, while the network is in fact either circuit-switched or packet-switched.
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