Why Packet Switching?
Simple: it’s the architecture that works best for data and it’s also the technology that squeezes the most out of underlying bandwidth. Some argue that with fiber build-out, Wave Division Multiplexing (WDM) and switching advances, bandwidth will soon be free and bandwidth optimization mute. The reality: demand will continue to outstrip supply in many parts of both public and enterprise nets. For most net planners, then, bandwidth remains a scarce and expensive resource to be optimized, at least for portions of their nets. While traditional circuit-switched nets designed with telephony in mind rely on fixed, nailed-up connections; packet-switched nets-whether cell (ATM), frame relay, or IP- offer fluid, elastic connectivity that squeezes the most out of expensive pipes. And with the data market innovating at “Internet speed,” packet-switching costs are driving down faster than was ever conceivable in the traditional telephony switch world. Packet-switching equipment has nose-dived from
