Internet Architecture: Packet Switching vs Circuit Switching (1969)
by Anonymous
ARPANET's designers chose packet switching over the telephone network's circuit switching. This made the network resilient (no single point of failure) and efficient (shared bandwidth), becoming the foundation of the internet.
Packet Switching
1969
year
No single point of failure — designed to survive nuclear attack
resilience
Shared bandwidth, dynamic routing
efficiency
Chose — became the Internet
outcome
Circuit Switching
1969
year
Single path — fails if any node goes down
resilience
Dedicated bandwidth per connection
efficiency
Remained for telephone until VoIP
outcome
Like this comparison? Make it your own.
Sign up to use as templateMore in History
Caesar: Cross the Rubicon or Obey the Senate (49 BCE)
Cross the Rubicon vs Obey the Senate
Opium Wars: China's Ban vs Free Trade (1839)
Total Ban and Destruction vs Regulated Trade
Great Wall: Build or Negotiate with Nomads (3rd Century BCE - 17th Century)
Build the Great Wall vs Heqin (Marriage Alliance and Tribute)
Sparta vs Athens: How to Defend Against Persia (480 BCE)
Naval Battle (Athenian Strategy) vs Land Defense (Spartan Strategy)
Isaac Newton vs Leibniz: Calculus Notation (1680s)
Leibniz Notation (dx/dy) vs Newton Notation (Dots)
Genghis Khan: Unite the Mongol Tribes (1206)
Unite All Tribes as Genghis Khan vs Rule as Regional Clan Leader