Final answer:
Lower propagation delays are not a typical benefit of virtual circuit switching over datagram switching, as the switching method has no effect on the physical constraints that determine propagation delays. The correct answer is (b) lower processing time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is (b) lower processing time. Virtual circuit switching and datagram switching are two methods used in network communication. Virtual circuit switching establishes a dedicated communication path between the source and destination before transmitting data, ensuring a more predictable path and lower setup time compared to datagram switching, which treats each packet independently. However, datagram switching typically has lower processing time because it does not require the overhead of setting up and maintaining dedicated circuits.
Lower propagation delays are not a typical benefit of virtual circuit switching over datagram switching, as the switching method has no effect on the physical constraints that determine propagation delays.
The answer to the question of which of the following is not a typical benefit of virtual circuit switching over datagram switching is (d) lower propagation delays. Virtual circuit switching has several advantages, including a more predictable path, due to the pre-established route for the data, and lower processing time at each switch since the path is predefined and doesn't need to be determined for each packet. However, it generally involves a setup phase to establish the circuit before data can be sent, which means that it typically has a higher setup time than datagram switching. This setup can be seen as a disadvantage when compared to datagram switching which does not require setup. As for propagation delays, they are not affected by the switching method used, but rather by the physical medium and distance the data must travel, making (d) the correct answer.