CS (Circuit Switched (or Cyclic Shift))

Circuit Switching (CS), also known as Cyclic Shift, is a type of communication network that is used to establish a dedicated physical connection between two endpoints for the duration of the communication session. In this network, the entire communication channel is reserved for the duration of the communication, and the data is transmitted in a continuous stream. CS is one of the oldest types of communication networks and was widely used before the emergence of packet switching networks.

In a Circuit Switched network, when two endpoints wish to communicate, a physical connection is established between them using the circuit switching technique. The connection is established by reserving the entire communication channel for the duration of the communication session. The entire bandwidth of the channel is dedicated to this connection, and it is exclusively used by the two endpoints for the entire duration of the communication session.

The Circuit Switched network uses a technique called Cyclic Shift to establish the physical connection between the two endpoints. In this technique, the communication channel is divided into time slots, and each time slot is assigned to a specific connection. The time slots are allocated in a cyclic manner, and each connection is given a specific time slot in the cycle. During the communication session, the data is transmitted in a continuous stream, and the receiver listens to the specific time slot that has been allocated to the sender.

The Circuit Switching network is commonly used in voice communication, where a dedicated physical connection is required for the duration of the conversation. The network provides a consistent and reliable connection for the entire duration of the communication, and there is no interruption or delay in the communication. The circuit-switched network is also used in some data communication applications, but it is less common due to the emergence of packet-switched networks.

Advantages of Circuit Switching:

  1. Dedicated Connection: Circuit Switching provides a dedicated physical connection between the two endpoints, which ensures a consistent and reliable connection for the entire duration of the communication session.
  2. Quality of Service: The Circuit Switched network provides a consistent and reliable Quality of Service (QoS) for the entire duration of the communication session. This ensures that the communication is of high quality, with no interruption or delay.
  3. Security: Circuit Switching provides a high level of security, as the entire communication channel is dedicated to the specific communication session, and it cannot be accessed by other users.
  4. No Overhead: Circuit Switching does not require any additional overhead to transmit the data, as the entire bandwidth of the communication channel is dedicated to the specific connection.

Disadvantages of Circuit Switching:

  1. Inefficient use of Resources: The Circuit Switched network is inefficient in its use of resources, as the entire bandwidth of the communication channel is dedicated to a specific connection for the entire duration of the communication session. This results in the underutilization of resources, as the communication channel remains idle during periods of inactivity.
  2. Limited Scalability: Circuit Switching is limited in its scalability, as the number of connections that can be established is limited by the capacity of the communication channel. This limits the number of users that can use the network simultaneously.
  3. High Cost: Circuit Switching is a costly technology, as it requires the dedicated use of the communication channel for the entire duration of the communication session. This results in high infrastructure costs, which can be a barrier to entry for smaller organizations.
  4. Limited Flexibility: Circuit Switching is inflexible in its ability to handle different types of data traffic. The network is primarily designed for voice communication and is not optimized for data communication, which requires a more flexible and adaptable network.

Conclusion:

Circuit Switching (CS) or Cyclic Shift is an older type of communication network that provides a dedicated physical connection between two endpoints for the entire duration of the communication session. The network is designed to ensure a consistent and reliable Quality of Service (QoS) for the duration of the communication and provides a high level of security.

However, Circuit Switching is inefficient in its use of resources, limiting its scalability and resulting in high infrastructure costs. Additionally, the network is inflexible in its ability to handle different types of data traffic and is primarily optimized for voice communication.

Despite these limitations, Circuit Switching is still used in some applications where a dedicated physical connection is necessary, such as in telephone networks. However, packet switching networks have largely replaced Circuit Switching in most other applications due to their greater efficiency, scalability, and flexibility.