Theme: Data transmission based on channel and packet switching

Benefits or advantages of Packet switching

Following are the benefits or advantages of Packet switching type:

➨As packets contain maximum length, they can be stored in the main memory itself and not disk. This reduces access delay. Moreover packet size is fixed and hence network will have improved delay characteristics as no long messages are available in the queue.
➨As switching devices do not require massive secondary storage, costs are minimized to great extent. Hence packet switching is very cost effective technique.
➨Packets are rerouted in case of any problems (e.g. busy links or disabled links). This ensures reliable communication.
➨It is more efficient for data transmission as it does not require path to be established between the sender and receiver and data are transmitted immediately.
➨Many users can share the same channel simultaneously. Hence packet switching makes use of available bandwidth efficiently.
➨With improved protocols, packet switching is widely used for video and voice calls using applications such as WhatsApp, Skype, Google Talk etc.
➨Due to competition among telecom carriers and availability of latest wireless standards such as LTE, LTE-Advanced packet switching is widely used by internet users.