The difference between end-to-end and dot-to-point in computer network

The reliability of data transmission is ensured by the end-to-end of the point-to-point and the transport layer of the link layer and the network layer. End-to-end vs. point to Dot is for the relationship between the devices that are transmitted across the network.

End-to-end communication

End-to-end communication is for the transport layer, it is a network connection, refers to before the data transmission, between the sender and receiver (ignoring the number of devices in the middle) for the transmission of the data to establish a link, after the link is established, the sender can send data, know that the data sent, the receiving side to confirm the successful reception. In other words, before the data transfer, the first channel for the transmission, and then the transmission. The data from the sending side is sent to the receiving end, and the end is completed.

End-to-end benefits:

After the link is established, the sender knows that the receiver will receive it, and the intermediate switching device does not require storage and forwarding, so the transmission delay is small.

Disadvantages of end-to-end transmission:

(1) Until the receiver receives the data, the transmitting side of the device has to participate in the transmission. If the delay of the whole transmission is very long, then it is very wasteful to the transmitting side of the device.

(2) If the receiving device shuts down or fails, then the end-to-end transmission cannot be achieved.

Dot to point communication

Point-to-point communication is for the data Link layer or network layer, peer-to-peer is based on the MAC address and or IP address, refers to a device to send data to the other side of the direct connection to the device, the device and at the appropriate time to pass the data to the next device connected to it, Data is transmitted to the receiving end via a directly connected device.

Advantages to point-to:

(1) The sending device sends out the data, its task has been completed, does not need to participate in the whole transmission process, so that the resources of the sending device will not be wasted.

(2) Even if the receiving end of the device shutdown or failure, point-to transmission can also be used to buffer the storage and forwarding technology.

Points to point disadvantages:

The disadvantage of point-to-point transmission is that after the sender sends out data, it does not know whether the receiving end can receive or receive data.


In different tiers of a network system, end-to-end transmission may be used, or point-to-point transmission may be used. such as Internet network, IP and the following layers of the use of point to transmission, more than 4 layers using end-to-end transmission.