In the event that you’ve been on the Internet for some time, you’ve no doubt heard the terms “modem” and “router” thrown around, but might not have taken the time to understand what they are. We’re here to help.
Modems and routers are both fundamental gadgets for interfacing with the internet. Numerous individuals mistake the two since the two of them have blinking lights on the front and Ethernet ports on the back. In any case, modems and routers perform very different functions. Here’s the beginning and end you need to think about the difference between a modem and a router, what every gadget does, and in the event that you really need a modem and a router.
In this article, you will learn-
Modem versus Router: What’s the Difference?
A modem interfaces you to a wide area network (WAN) or the internet. Then again, a router associates your gadgets to your local area network (LAN) or WiFi network, and it allows your gadgets to communicate with each other wirelessly.
Essentially, a modem is your gateway to the internet, while a router is a central hub for your gadgets.
What Is a Modem and What Does it Do?
A modem is a gadget that receives an analog signal from your internet service provider (ISP) and translates it into a digital signal that your gadgets can understand and vice versa. This allows your gadgets to send and receive information over the internet.
The term modem derives from the words “modulation” and “demodulation.” When the internet was first made, modems were used to modulate (or convert over) the analog signal that telephone lines use into a digital signal that computers and different gadgets can understand. At that point, a modem would demodulate the signal from your gadgets back into an analog signal, so it very well may be sent over a telephone line. While further advanced innovation is presently used, the term modem has stuck.
Most modems just have three ports, one that interfaces with the internet, one that connects with a router, and one that connects with a power source. More seasoned modems associate with the internet via telephone lines, while more current ones use cable or fiber optic connections. Modems will likewise have at least one Ethernet port to connect with a router or computer.
What Is a Router and What Does It Do?
A router is a networking device that distributes (or routes) your internet association from your modem to the gadgets in your network. This allows you to interface with the internet from your computer, mobile phone, smart TV, and other wired or wireless gadgets.
The fundamental function of a router is to appropriate your web traffic to the correct gadget in your network. It does this by assigning all your gadgets an IP address, so when you attempt to open a site on your computer, it doesn’t get sent off your cell phone.
A router makes your local network and allows you to manage with its settings. With a router, you can enable security settings, prioritize traffic to specific gadgets, and then some. A router likewise allows your gadgets communicate with each other over the network. For instance, a router allows you to change the settings of your smart home gadgets by using an application on your cell phone.
There are various types of routers, yet the two most common ones are wired and wireless routers. Wired (or hard-lined) routers should be associated with your computers and different gadgets with a wired Ethernet connection. WiFi routers use built-in antennas to transmit your network’s internet signal wirelessly.
Most routers have a few Ethernet ports that allow you to associate with your gadgets via an Ethernet cable. They additionally have one Ethernet port that should be connected with a modem, so it can send and receive data from the internet.
Do you Need a Modem or a Router?
You will require both a modem and a router on the off chance that you need to use WiFi or connect different gadgets. Since most modems just have one LAN Ethernet port, you can just connect one computer at a time, yet it will not provide the same security that a router does.
A router is fundamental in the event that you have a few gadgets that need to interface with the web. Be that as it may, you will not have the option to access to the web with a router alone. A router should be associated with the modem with the goal for it to distribute the internet connection with your gadgets.
| Modem | Router |
| Decodes the signal from an ISP. | Establishes a local network. |
| Connects directly to the internet. | Creates and manages Wi-Fi. |
| Doesn’t set up a local network. | Splits an internet connection to several devices. |
| Is not responsible for Wi-Fi. | Does not decode the signal from an ISP. |
| Requires a modem to connect to the internet. |
It’s not difficult to get the two gadgets mixed up if your internet service provider (ISP) rents both to you as a part of an internet package. Knowing the distinction between a modem and how each work can assist you to be a better consumer. You’ll save money by purchasing equipment, rather than paying a monthly fee to an ISP.
Modems Pros and Cons
| Advantages Connects to an ISP. Compatible specifically with the ISP. Converts the signal from the ISP to a universal one that a computer can use. | Disadvantages Can’t create a local network. Doesn’t run Wi-Fi. Doesn’t connect multiple devices to the internet. |
A modem associates the source of your web from your ISP and your home network, whether you use a cable provider, for example, Comcast, fiber optics from FIOS, satellite, for example, Direct TV, or a DSL or dial-up phone connection. The modem associates with the router—or straightforwardly to a computer—using an Ethernet cable. Modems are distinctive for each type of service; they are not interchangeable.
ISPs rent modems to subscribers for a month to month charge. In any case, cable modems are available for sale at relatively low prices. Month to month rental rates is around $10 extra each month. In the event that you plan to keep the same service for a year or more, purchasing a cable modem that costs about $100 rapidly pays for itself. FIOS-viable modems are hard to come by, so in that case, it’s advantageous to lease one from Verizon. Some ISPs rent the two modems and routers.
Routers Pros and Cons
| Advantages Creates a local area network (LAN). Splits an internet connection to several devices. Hosts Wi-Fi. Runs a firewall. Connects to a VPN. | Disadvantages Can’t connect directly to the internet. Doesn’t decode the signal from an ISP. |
A router interfaces with a modem and creates a private network in a home, office, or business, for example, a café. At the point when you interface a gadget to Wi-Fi, it connects with a local router.
Routers interface smart gadgets, including cell phones, smart speakers, for example, Amazon Echo, and smart home items, for example, light bulbs and security systems.
Some ISPs offer routers for rental. To get the most recent innovation, it’s worth buying one. Purchasing a wireless router implies you can pick the model that is best for your home or office or has advanced highlights for gaming and different activities in the event that you need them.
In certain situations, one wireless router isn’t sufficient to cover a whole home or office because of a vast space or one with a complicated format, various floors, or impenetrable walls To avoid dead zones, buy range extenders that interface with the router and grow its span. Nonetheless, that generally implies less bandwidth in zones close to the extender, which converts into slower browsing and download speeds. That is when investing into a mesh network might make sense.
A Wi-Fi mesh network consists of one essential router and a few satellites, or nodes, that hand-off the wireless signal starting with one then onto the next, similar to a chain. As opposed to extenders that discuss just with the router, mesh network nodes communicate with each other, and there’s no less of bandwidth. The signal is pretty much as amazing as though you were close to the essential router. There’s no limit to the number of nodes you can set up, and you can oversee it using a cell phone.
Whether you need a range extender or a mesh network relies upon the size of the space and how much bandwidth is required.
Related: Modem and its Types
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