Definitions for "Packet Switched Network"
Network technology that breaks up a message into small packets for transmission. Unlike circuit switching, which requires the establishment of a dedicated point-to-point connection, each packet in a packet-switched network contains a destination address. Thus, all packets in a single message do not have to travel the same path. As traffic conditions change, they can be dynamically routed via different paths in the network, and they can even arrive out of order. The destination computer reassembles the packets into their proper sequence. Network protocols such as IP and IPX were designed for packet-based networks.
Network that does not establish a dedicated physical path, but transmits data in segments called packets. Packets are sent over the best available network connection and then re-assembled at the endpoint.
a network dedicated to the routing and delivery of data put in