Circuit switching is a WAN switching
method in which a dedicated physical circuit is established,
maintained, and terminated through a carrier network for each
communication session. Used extensively in telephone company networks,
circuit switching operates much like a normal telephone call. ISDN is
an example of a circuit-switched WAN technology.
Circuit-switched connections from one
site to another are brought up when needed and generally require low
bandwidth. Basic telephone service connections are generally limited
to 28.8 kbps without compression, and ISDN connections are limited to
64 or 128 kbps. Circuit-switched connections are used primarily to
connect remote users and mobile users to corporate LANs. They are also
used as backup lines for higher-speed circuits, such as Frame Relay
and dedicated lines.
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