Modes of Switch Operations
Cut through switching
- Read destination address and start transmitting
- Without waiting for the entire message is received
- Low latency; but may waste capacity (errorred messages)
- Only on the same speed incoming and outgoing circuits
Store and forward switching
- Wait until the whole message is received, perform error control, and then transmit it
- Less wasted capacity; slower network
- Circuit speeds may be different
Fragment free switching
- Read the first 64 byte segment (contains the header)
- Perform error check, if it is okay then start transmitting
- Compromise between previous two modes