Definition:
Traditional long distance networks are circuit-switched networks. These networks are ideal for single provider (AT&T, Sprint, etc.) short duration - single application (voice) uses. Circuit-switched networks are "connection-oriented" because the connection is established before the transmission occurs. Connection-oriented protocols determine 1) connection is created and supervised 2) security is checked 3) quality of service is verified then and only then is the 4) info transferred and when completed 5) connection-released.