Question

Consider an application that transmits data at a steady rate (for example, the sender generates an N-bit unit of data every k time units, where k is small and fixed). Also, when such an application starts, it will continue running for a relatively long period of time. Answer the following questions, briefly justifying your answer:

a. Would a packet-switched network or a circuit-switched network be more appropriate for this application? Why?

b. Suppose that a packet-switched network is used and the only traffic in this network comes from such applications as described above. Furthermore, assume that the sum of the application data rates is less than the capacities of each and every link. Is some form of congestion control needed? Why?

Answer 1

a; circuit-switched network.

b; No, it does not need congestion control.

Step-by-step explanation:

For A;

A circuit-switched network is a better option for this application. This is because of the fact that the application is made up of long sessions with smooth data transfer capacity needs.

The transmission rate is known, and does not transmit in short intervals(short signals), every application session can have a bandwidth reserved without significant bandwidth wastage.

Also, the overhead expenses of setting up and tearing down connections are canceled out over the extensive period of running an application session.

For B;

If the packet-switched network is used, and traffic in the network comes from the said application. Even if every applications transmit one or more network connections. Still, we already know that every connection has enough transmission capacity to handle majority of the application data rates, no congestion(insignificant queuing) will happen.

This goes to say that no congestion control will be needed given such broad-based connection.