LAN Switching and WAN Networks

WAN Switching
 Topic & Structure of the lesson
WAN Switching

• Introduction to WAN
• Introduction to WAN Switching
• Circuit Switching
• Datagram Packet Switching
• Virtual Circuit Packet Switching

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 Learning Outcomes
WAN Switching

At the end of this module, YOU should be able to:

• Explain the technologies, terminology and connectivity of

WAN Switching

• Explain the type of WAN Switches.

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 Key Terms you must be able to use
WAN Switching

If you have mastered this topic, you should be able to use the
following terms correctly in your assignments and tests:
• How WAN Switching works?
• Type of WAN Switching

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 Main Teaching Points
WAN Switching

•Wide Area Networks (WAN)

•WAN Switching
•Circuit Switching and Packet switching

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 Wide Area Network (WAN)

WAN Switching
 A collection of networks connected through a public service or
covering large geographical area.
 Requires a routing or switching technology and a set of
protocols that create paths from one point to another.

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology

WAN Switching
 Switching allows temporary connections to be established,
maintained and terminated between message sources and
message destinations.
 WAN services are provided through the following three
primary switching technologies:
 Circuit Switching
 Packet Switching
 Virtual Circuit Switching
 Cell Switching

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Circuit Switching

WAN Switching

(Source: Internetworking elements, n.d)

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Circuit Switching

WAN Switching

 Circuit Switching
• Example: Telephone
• In a circuit switched network, a switched dedicated circuit is
created to connect the two or more parties, eliminating the need
for source and destination address information.
• Continuous streams
• no bursts
• no buffers
• Connections are created and removed
• Buffering does not exist in circuit-switches

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Packet Switching

WAN Switching

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Packet Switching

WAN Switching
 Packet Switching
• Uses store and forward
• The configuration may change per packet
• Switching/forwarding is based on the destination address
mapping
• Switching table is used to provide the mapping
• Switching table changes according to network dynamics (e.g.
congestion, failure)

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Packet Switching

WAN Switching

There are two types of packet switching:

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Packet Switching

WAN Switching
Datagram
•The datagram approach is simply that each packet of data is independent.
•Packets are referred to as datagrams.
•Everyone of them may be routed to the destination along different paths to
the destination.
•If the data spans across multiple packets, it is up to the receiving station to
reassemble them.

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Packet Switching

WAN Switching
Datagram

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Packet Switching

WAN Switching
Datagram

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Packet Switching

WAN Switching

Virtual Circuit
•Virtual circuit approach gets its concept from circuit-switched networks.
•When there is a transmission, a route is chosen in the beginning of the
session.
•All the packets will travel sequentially along this established route.

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Packet Switching

WAN Switching
Virtual Circuit

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Packet Switching

WAN Switching

Virtual Circuit
•Although virtual circuit packet switching sound similar to circuit switching, it is
only conceptually so.
•Circuit switching creates a physical path for the duration of the transmission,
whereas virtual circuit creates a route.
•Virtual circuit allows for the link to be shared whereas circuit switching
maintains a dedicated link between the 2 nodes.

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Comparison

WAN Switching

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Comparison

WAN Switching

Circuit Switching
• Dedicated Path
• Continuous Data Transmission
• Messages Are Not Stored
• Path Established For The Entire Conversation
• Busy Signal If Called Party Is Busy
• Fixed Bandwidth
• Overloaded – Calls May Be Blocked

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Comparison

WAN Switching

Datagram Packet Switching

• No Dedicated Path
• Transmission of Packets
• Stored / Buffered
• Route established for each packet
• Transmission Delay
• Dynamic Usage of Bandwidth
• Overload Will Increase Delay

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 WAN Switching Technology: Comparison

WAN Switching

Virtual Circuit Packet Switching

• Virtual Dedicated Path
• Transmission of Packets
• Packets stored / buffered
• Route established for the entire conversation
• Call Setup Delay
• Overload May Increase Delay
• Dynamic Usage of Bandwidth

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 Quick Review Question
WAN Switching

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 Follow Up Assignment
WAN Switching

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 Summary of Main Teaching Points
WAN Switching

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 Question and Answer Session
WAN Switching

Q&A

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks

 Next Session
WAN Switching

Topic and Structure of next session

 Assignment Presentation

CT032-LAN Switching and WAN Networks