circuit switching

method of communication in which a channel is maintained between the broadcaster and the receiver

In telecommunications, a circuit switching network is one that establishes a dedicated circuit (or channel) between nodes and terminals before the users may communicate. Each circuit that is dedicated cannot be used by other callers until the circuit is released and a new connection is set up. Even if no actual communication is taking place in a dedicated circuit then, that channel still remains unavailable to other users. Channels that are available for new calls to be set up are said to be idle.
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1. A method of routing traffic through a switching center, from local users or from other switching centers, whereby a connection is established between the calling and called stations until the connection is released by the called or calling station. (188 ) 2. A process that, on demand, connects two or more data terminal equipments (DTEs) and permits the exclusive use of a data circuit between them until the connection is released.

A communications paradigm in which a dedicated communication path is established between the sender and receiver along which all packets travel. The telephone system is an example of a circuit switched network. Also called connection-oriented. Contrast connectionless, packet switching.

circuit switching