Difference between Point-to-point and Multi-point Communication
Point-to-point Communication: In a Point-to-point communication, there is a dedicated link between two communication devices a transmitter and a receiver. Here, transferring data between two points (Sender & receiver) is done by reserving the capacity of the entire link. Point-to-point connections are preferable. Where security issue, high speed, uninterrupted communication between two points is a must.
Multi-point Communication: In a multipoint connection, there is a link between a sender and multiple receivers. Here, capacity of the channel is shared, either spatially or temporally.
| Point-to-point Communication | Multi-point Communication |
|---|---|
| 1. There is dedicated link between two communicating devices a transmitter and receiver. | 1. Here, the link is shared between more than two devices, usually a sender and multiple receiver. |
| 2. Transmitting data between two devices is done by reserving the capacity of the entire channel or spatially. | 2. Capacity of the channel is shared temporarily among the devices connected to the link. |
| 3. In point to point connection, two devices share the entire channel. | 3. In a multipoint connection, multiple devices or nodes share the entire channel. |
| 4. Single transmitter and single receiver only. | 4. Single transmitter and multiple receivers. |
| 5. Most important issue here is the smallest distance for reaching the destination. | 5. Smallest distance is not considered as an important issue for reaching the destination. |
| 6. Security and privacy is provided by the point to point communication as the communication channel is dedicated. | 6. Security and privacy is not provided by the multipoint communication as the communication channel is shared. |
| 7. Systems that require a point to point communication includes phone lines, rink line, digital cable, radio signals and fiber optics, mobile phone networks. | 7. System that require multipoint communication include online working office management, shared networks among others. |
| 8. Examples are frame relay, T-carrier, X-25 etc. | 8. Examples are frame relay, Token Ring, Ethernet, ATM etc. |
Recommended Posts:
Contributed By: Romana Rahman Ema