A data-transmission method that simultaneously routes and transmits data packets from many customers over a communications channel or telephone line, thus optimizing use of the line.
An addressed packet is routed from node to node until it reaches its destination, although related packets may not all follow the same route to that destination. Because long messages may be divided into several packets, packet sequence numbers are used to reassemble the original message at the destination node.
The standard for packet-switching networks is defined in CCITT recommendation X.25. The Internet is an example of a packet-switching network.
See also Consultative Committee for International Telephony and Telegraphy; packet-switched network.