In a communications network, a circuit that may be temporarily established at the request of one or more of the connected stations.

See switched circuit.

Describes acceptance testing procedures used when Switched Access Services are provided with a digital switch on digital facilities.

The network of switching systems, interconnecting facilities, and equipment provided by an exchange carrier (EC) to provide telecommunications services between the exchange office (EO) and interexchange carrier point of termination (IC-POT). [T1.508-1998]

In telephony, a circuit that automatically releases a connection from a console or switchboard, once the connection has been made to the appropriate terminal.
Note: Loop buttons or jacks are used to answer incoming listed directory number calls, dial "0" internal calls, transfer requests, and intercepted calls. The attendant can handle only one call at a time. Synonym released loop.

A connectionless, broadband, packet-switched data service that provides LAN-like performance and features in metropolitan or wide areas.
Note: Currently SMDS operates at
1. 544 Mb/s (megabits per second) or
4
4. 736 Mb/s. These are the T1 and T3 rates, respectively, over switched fiber optic networks.

1. A communications network, such as the public switched telephone network, in which any user may be connected to any other user through the use of message, circuit, or packet switching and control devices.
2. Any network providing switched communications service.

The controlling or routing of signals in circuits to execute logical or arithmetic operations or to transmit data between specific points in a network.
Note: Switching may be performed by electronic, optical, or electromechanical devices. [From Weik '89]

In communications systems, a facility in which switches are used to interconnect communications circuits on a circuit-, message-, or packet-switching basis. Synonyms, in telephony, central office, switching exchange, switching facility. Deprecated synonym yyswitch.

Synonym switching center.