Kredsløbsnetværk

Kredsløbsnetværk, sometimes translated as "circuit network," refers to a system where communication occurs by establishing a dedicated path between two points before any data is transmitted. This path, or circuit, is reserved exclusively for the duration of the communication session. Once the session is complete, the circuit is released. This contrasts with packet-switched networks, where data is broken into packets and sent independently, potentially taking different routes.

The establishment of a circuit in a kredsløbsnetværk typically involves a signaling process. This process reserves the necessary resources, such as bandwidth and switching capacity, along the intended path. Once the connection is set up, it provides a guaranteed quality of service, as the resources are dedicated. This makes kredsløbsnetværk suitable for applications that require consistent bandwidth and low latency, such as traditional telephone calls.

A key characteristic of kredsløbsnetværk is that once a circuit is established, it remains dedicated until the connection is terminated. This means that even if no data is being transmitted, the allocated resources are still occupied. This can lead to inefficient use of network capacity compared to packet-switched networks, where resources can be shared among multiple users. The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is a classic example of a kredsløbsnetværk.