State two examples of where it would be appropriate to use packet switching.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [2] One mark per mark point (Max 2) MP1 Packet switching is most commonly used on data networks such as the internet to send large data files that don't need to be live streamed MP2 Packet switching is used when it is necessary to be able to overcome failed/faulty lines by rerouting. MP3 Packet switching is used when it is necessary for the communication to be more secure. MP4 Packet switching is used for high volume data transmission. MP5 Packet switching is used when it isn't necessary to use all the bandwidth. MP6 Specific examples e.g. email, text messages, documents, VOIP etc. (up to two marks).
2. [4] One mark per mark point (Max 4) MP1 Circuit switching uses a dedicated channel to make communication, whereas packet switching forms data into packets to transmit over a digital network. MP2 The dedicated path for circuit switching must be established before the transfer of data can commence, which is not the case with packet switching (as it doesn't require a dedicated path). MP3 Data in packet switching is split into packets, in circuit switching the message remains intact. MP4 All of the transmission in circuit switching follows the same path whereas different packets in packet switching can take different routes. MP5 The message is received in the same order in which it is sent with circuit switching, but with packet switching, the packets can be received out of order (for assembly at the destination). MP6 Circuit switching is implemented at the physical layer while packet switching is implemented at the network layer. MP7 Circuit switching uses the whole bandwidth of the channel used, packet switching can share bandwidth. MP8 Circuit switching communication ends with an error but packet switching allows packets to be re-sent. MP9 Circuit switching is a simpler process than packet switching.