60. OCR A Level (H046-H446) SLR11 – 1.3 Packet & circuit switchi

What provides the basis for traditional telephone networks?

• Packet switching

• Router-based networking

• Internet Protocol

• Circuit switching

Answer explanation

Traditional telephone networks are based on circuit switching, where a dedicated communication path is established between two parties for the duration of the call.

What does circuit switching create between the source and destination?

• A permanent link

• A temporary and dedicated link of fixed bandwidth

• An encrypted link

• A multipath route

Answer explanation

Circuit switching creates a temporary and dedicated link of fixed bandwidth between the source and destination.

What is guaranteed by using circuit switching?

• The most secure connection

• The lowest cost

• The fastest speed

• The quality of the transmission

Answer explanation

Using circuit switching guarantees the quality of the transmission by establishing a dedicated communication path before data transfer, ensuring consistent and reliable delivery.

What is a downside of circuit switching?

• It is more expensive

• It requires more complex infrastructure

• It can waste a lot of potential bandwidth

• It cannot support real-time video

Answer explanation

Circuit switching can waste a lot of potential bandwidth by reserving a fixed amount of bandwidth for the entire duration of a call, even if data is not being transmitted continuously.

How does packet switching send data?

• Through a single dedicated path

• In one large block

• In sequential order

• Into smaller blocks sent independently

Answer explanation

Packet switching sends data into smaller blocks sent independently to optimize network efficiency and allow for more flexible routing.

What does packet switching maximize?

• Bandwidth

• Cost

• Security

• Transmission time

Answer explanation

Packet switching maximizes bandwidth by efficiently utilizing network resources and allowing multiple data packets to be transmitted simultaneously.

What is a characteristic of packet switching?

• Packets always take the same route

• It supports only encrypted data

• Packets can arrive out of order

• It reserves bandwidth in advance

Answer explanation

Packet switching allows packets to arrive out of order, as they can take different routes to reach their destination.

Why is packet switching considered more affordable and efficient than circuit switching?

• Because it requires more complex infrastructure

• Because it uses less electricity

• Because all bandwidth can be used at once

• Because it guarantees the quality of transmission

Answer explanation

Packet switching is more affordable and efficient than circuit switching because all bandwidth can be used at once, allowing for better utilization of resources.

What does packet switching require less of compared to circuit switching?

• Bandwidth

• Complex infrastructure

• Time to transmit

• Data packets

Answer explanation

Packet switching requires less complex infrastructure compared to circuit switching because it does not need dedicated connections for the duration of the communication.

What is a summary characteristic of circuit switching?

• No physical path for packets

• Reserves bandwidth in advance

• Supports store and forward transmission

• Very little bandwidth wastage

Answer explanation

The summary characteristic of circuit switching is that it reserves bandwidth in advance.