Circuit switching

A method of communicating in which a dedicated communications path is established between two devices through one or more intermediate switching nodes. Unlike packet switching, information is sent as a continuous stream of bits. Data rate is guaranteed, and delay is essentially limited to propagation time. In circuit switching there is a temporary establishment of a connection between two pieces of equipment that permits the exclusive use until the connection is released. The connection is set up on demand and discontinued when the transmission is complete. An example is a dial-up telephone connection. This type of switching is used in ordinary telephone service, with dedicated path between source and destination set up for duration of call.