Packet Switching Technique and Different Switching Techniques
By: Utkarsh Ravindra Kushwaha
Tags: Information Technology, Packet Switching, Sd Wan, Sd Wan Technology, Mpls

“There was a time when people felt the internet was another world, but now people realize it’s a tool that we use in this world.” ~Tim Bemers-Lee

What is Packet Switching?

The packet switching is a switching technique in which the message is sent in one go, but it is divided into smaller pieces, and they are sent individually.

The message splits into smaller pieces known as packets and packets are given a unique number to identify their order at the receiving end. Every packet contains some information in its headers such as source address, destination address and sequence number.

Packets will travel across the network, taking the shortest path as possible. All the packets are reassembled at the receiving end in correct order.

If any packet is missing or corrupted, then the message will be sent to resend the message. If the correct order of the packets is reached, then the acknowledgment message will be sent.

Advantages Of Packet Switching:

Cost-effective: In packet switching technique, switching devices do not require massive secondary storage to store the packets, so cost is minimized to some extent. Therefore, we can say that the packet switching technique is a cost-effective technique.

In packet switching technique, switching devices do not require massive secondary storage to store the packets, so cost is minimized to some extent. Therefore, we can say that the packet switching technique is a cost-effective technique. Reliable: If any node is busy, then the packets can be rerouted. This ensures that the Packet Switching technique provides reliable communication.

If any node is busy, then the packets can be rerouted. This ensures that the Packet Switching technique provides reliable communication. Efficient: Packet Switching is an efficient technique. It does not require any established path prior to the transmission, and many users can use the same communication channel simultaneously, hence makes use of available bandwidth very efficiently.

Disadvantages Of Packet Switching:

Packet Switching technique cannot be implemented in those applications that require low delay and high-quality services.

The protocols used in a packet switching technique are very complex and requires high implementation cost.

If the network is overloaded or corrupted, then it requires retransmission of lost packets. It can also lead to the loss of critical information if errors are nor recovered.

Different Switching Techniques

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is data forwarding technology that increases the speed and controls the flow of network traffic.

Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) is a technique for speeding up network connections that was first developed in the 1990s. The public Internet functions by forwarding packets from one router to the next until the packets reach their destination.

MLPS, on the other hand, sends packets along predetermined network paths. Ideally, the result is that routers spend less time deciding where to forward each packet, and packets take the same path every time.

Pros of using MPLS:

Service providers and enterprises can use MPLS to implement QoS by defining LSPs that can meet specific service-level agreements (SLAs) on traffic latency, jitter, packet loss and downtime.

It’s good for real-time applications that can’t tolerate latency, such as video, voice and mission-critical data.

Different types of data can be preprogrammed with different priorities and classes of service.

Organizations can assign different percentages of their bandwidth to various types of data.

Cons of using MPLS:

Cost: MPLS is more expensive than regular Internet service.

MPLS is more expensive than regular Internet service. Long setup time: Setting up complicated dedicated paths across one or more large networks takes time. LSPs have to be manually configured by the MPLS vendor or by the organization using MPLS. This makes it difficult for organizations to scale up their networks quickly.

Setting up complicated dedicated paths across one or more large networks takes time. LSPs have to be manually configured by the MPLS vendor or by the organization using MPLS. This makes it difficult for organizations to scale up their networks quickly. Lack of encryption: MPLS is not encrypted; any attacker that intercepts packets on MPLS paths can read them in plaintext. Encryption has to be set up separately.

MPLS is not encrypted; any attacker that intercepts packets on MPLS paths can read them in plaintext. Encryption has to be set up separately. Cloud challenges: Organizations that rely on cloud services may not be able to set up direct network connections to their cloud servers, as they do not have access to the specific servers where their data and applications live.

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide-Area Network)

As the name states, software-defined wide-area networks use software to control the connectivity, management and services between data centers and remote branches or cloud instances.

One of SD-WAN’s chief features is the ability to manage multiple connections from MPLS to broadband to LTE. Another important piece is the ability to segment, partition and secure the traffic traversing the WAN. SD-WAN’s driving principle is to simplify the way big companies turn up new links to branch offices, better manage the way those links are utilized — for data, voice or video — and potentially save money in the process.

Benefits of using SD-WAN:

Lower costs

Increased bandwidth

Higher performance

More uptime

Better performance at small, remote, or international sites

Quicker provisioning and rollout

Thank You! Open for improvements :)