In circuit switching, a dedicated communication path is established between the sender and the receiver. This technique is primarily used in which of the following networks?

Explanation:

In circuit switching, a dedicated communication path is established between the sender and the receiver. This technique is primarily used in:

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the traditional telephone system that has been in use for many decades. It is a network of circuit-switched telephone networks operated by national, regional, and local telephony operators. The PSTN provides the infrastructure and services for public telecommunication.

Working Principle: Circuit switching in the PSTN involves establishing a dedicated communication path between the sender and receiver for the duration of the call. This path consists of a series of physical or virtual circuits that are reserved exclusively for the communication session. The process begins when a caller initiates a call, and the switching system sets up a continuous, dedicated path through a sequence of switches and transmission links.

1. Call Setup: When a call is initiated, the switching system searches for a free path through the network from the caller to the receiver. This involves determining the most efficient route, which may span multiple switches and transmission links.

2. Data Transfer: Once the path is established, data can be transferred in real-time between the sender and receiver. The dedicated path ensures a constant and reliable connection, suitable for voice communication.

3. Call Teardown: After the call ends, the dedicated path is released and made available for other users.

Important Information:

To analyze the other options:

Cellular Networks: Cellular networks use a combination of circuit switching and packet switching. While traditional voice calls in cellular networks utilize circuit switching, modern cellular networks have increasingly adopted packet switching for data services, including VoIP.

Internet: The Internet primarily uses packet switching, where data is divided into packets and transmitted across the network. Each packet may take a different path to reach the destination, and the communication path is not dedicated.

Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs): WLANs also use packet switching for data communication. Devices in a WLAN send and receive packets over a shared medium, and there is no dedicated path between sender and receiver.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option 4, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), as it uses circuit switching to establish a dedicated communication path between the sender and receiver.