Back to the full dot-point answer
SingaporeComputer ScienceQuick questions
Networks and the Internet
Quick questions on Packet switching and routing explained: H2 Computing
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is packet switching?Show answer
In packet switching, a message or file is split into many small packets. Each packet is routed independently across the network and may take a different path. At the destination, packets are reassembled in the correct order. Links are shared between many communications - capacity is used only when packets are actually sent (statistical multiplexing).
What is the structure of a packet?Show answer
A packet has a header of control information and a payload of the actual data. The header typically carries:
What is contrast with circuit switching?Show answer
Circuit switching reserves a dedicated end-to-end path for the whole communication (a traditional phone call), held even when idle. Packet switching reserves nothing, sharing links among many flows.
What is q1?Show answer
Give three pieces of information carried in a packet header. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Why might packets of one message arrive out of order? [1 mark]
What is q3?Show answer
State one advantage of packet switching over circuit switching for the internet. [1 mark]
Have a question we have not covered?
This dot-point answer is short enough that we have not extracted many short questions yet. Read the full dot-point answer or ask Mo, our study assistant, in the chat for follow ups.