Data communication
Tier list
Switching methods ranked for today's networks
Ranking switching methods by how much the modern internet relies on them
Quick check · tap an answer to continue
Lesson notes
Key points
- Message switching: Whole messages stored then forwarded hop by hop, too slow, so it lands in C tier.
- Circuit switching: A dedicated path gives steady quality but wastes capacity during silence, so B tier.
- Virtual circuits: Packets follow a set-up path with labels, like MPLS in carrier networks, earning A tier.
- Datagram packet switching: Independent packets routed separately share links efficiently, and IP runs on it, so S tier.
Takeaway: The internet runs on datagram packet switching, not dedicated circuits.
Quick check: Which switching method does the Internet Protocol use to move data?
- Circuit switching
- Datagram packet switching
- Message switching
IP routes each packet independently, the datagram approach.
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