How data travels across networks

How does data travel across networks?
This lesson explains the primary methods by which data is transmitted within networks.

It begins by presenting circuit switching—typical of traditional telephony—where a dedicated path between the two parties is reserved before data exchange begins. Next, it introduces packet switching—used by the Internet—where information is broken down into packets that can follow different paths across the network before being reassembled at the destination.

The lesson compares the two models, highlighting the efficiency of packet switching alongside the potential for variable delays. Finally, it describes the main types of transmission channels: point-to-point (or unicast) links and broadcast networks, where the channel is shared by all machines on the network.

Bibliography

Primary sources

Postel, J. (1981). Internet Protocol. RFC 791. IETF / RFC Editor.

Braden, R. (Ed.). (1989). Requirements for Internet Hosts — Communication Layers. RFC 1122. IETF / RFC Editor.

Baran, P. (1964). On Distributed Communications. RAND Corporation.

Kleinrock, L. (1961/1962). Information Flow in Large Communication Nets. MIT / UCLA.

Roberts, L. G. (1978). The Evolution of Packet Switching. Proceedings of the IEEE, 66(11), 1307–1313.

ITU-T. Recommendation Q.931 — ISDN User-Network Interface Layer 3 Specification for Basic Call Control.

ITU-T. Recommendation E.721 — Network Grade of Service Parameters and Target Values for Circuit-Switched Services in the Evolving ISDN.

IEEE. IEEE 802.3 — Ethernet Working Group Standards. IEEE Standards Association.

IEEE. IEEE 802.11 — Wireless LAN Medium Access Control and Physical Layer Specifications. IEEE Standards Association.

IEEE. Media Access Control frame structure. IEEE 802.3 material.

Secondary sources

Kurose, J. F., & Ross, K. W. Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach. Pearson.

Tanenbaum, A. S., & Wetherall, D. J. Computer Networks. Pearson.

Comer, D. E. Computer Networks and Internets. Pearson.

Peterson, L. L., & Davie, B. S. Computer Networks: A Systems Approach. Morgan Kaufmann.

Stallings, W. Data and Computer Communications. Pearson.

Forouzan, B. A. Data Communications and Networking. McGraw-Hill.

Index

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febogamedev – 12 July 2026 – 4:52 am

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