Cell Switching
Cell switching is a networking technique used in telecommunications and data communication systems where data is transmitted in fixed-size units called cells, typically 53 bytes in ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) networks. It enables efficient, high-speed data transfer by allowing multiple types of traffic (voice, video, data) to share the same network infrastructure with predictable performance and low latency. This method contrasts with packet switching, which uses variable-length packets, and is foundational for technologies like ATM and some modern optical networks.
Developers should learn about cell switching when working on network infrastructure, telecommunications systems, or applications requiring guaranteed quality of service (QoS) for real-time data like voice or video streaming. It's particularly relevant in scenarios where low latency and consistent bandwidth are critical, such as in financial trading platforms, video conferencing, or legacy ATM networks. Understanding cell switching helps in designing and troubleshooting networks that prioritize time-sensitive traffic over shared resources.