difference b/w modem and router

bobafetthotmail · 29 Oct 2012

Assuming you just swapped descriptions of 3 and 4, yes, that's more or less correct.

You mean using the same cable and connecting it to one computer at a time? Seems like that thing you have is a modem. They are the cheapest of the bunch, and are an obvious choice as customer freebie for ISPs.

Your choices are to buy a wireless access point (that you forgot in the list, they simply connect wifi devices to a ethernet network, that may have access to interent or not depending on other devices) or a full blown router with wifi. The latter has more ethernet ports so you can connect multiple computers at the same time, wifi antennas for wifi devices (obviously), and usually the features most routers offer (and modems don't have) like security options, firewalls and whatever.

You can also buy the "3" from your list, and ditch the modem. Although that requires knowing precise data about how to connect it to your ISP correctly (as you need to feed the right data to the device's modem for it to work). Most ISP-given modems are set to run automatically, so you will have to ask your ISP how to set logins and passwords and specific settings you need, it's a bit of a hassle, but it's usually worth it.

Btw, with wifi ALWAYS have a good password and buy only the devices that use WPA or WPA2 encryption (laptops all do, not all wifi access points/routers do). WEP is a joke to crack, and WPS (the "push a button and the network is secure") is only marginally better.

Really, knowing a bit in the field of wireless network security isn't so hard and does pay off (as wifi network cracking is pretty common if compared to guys that connect illegally to a wired network, lol). Google around and you'll find plenty of sites that do explain the basics.

There is also another kind of box that you might be interested in, called network (or ethernet) switch. It is basically a dumb router, it has no settings and no added features (like say security or firewalls or whatever), and simply routes traffic through the ethernet cables. While a router does act as a network cop, this is more like a traffic light. Companies with decent networking needs will have truckloads of these things scattered around, but will have at least one device something doing the router job as well (either a router or a full blown server).

Slartybart · 29 Oct 2012

Image courtesy Crutchfield

In the image, the Cable Modem is the device on the left, it is the device that connects to the Internet.

There is one more common topology for home networks, the cable modem is also a router and wireless access point - a Cable Router. A Cable router is normally supplied by your Service provider, they maintain control over devices attached to their network.

There will be ports (usually 4) for Ethernet. If the device is also a wireless access point, the antennae could be external or internal. You'll have to read the manual that came with the device or contact your ISP provider or provide the device information here. Who made it, what is the model number.

techno di · 29 Oct 2012

bobafetthotmail thank you , i really did not want to buy any but i wanted to know the difference b/w them

i do have now what from my understanding from your explanation i say it is a ' router ' .
- only an RJ45 comes from the ISP and i can use it directly to laptop or use it throgh router to allow friends with laptops to share using throgh wireless .

but in my other home according to your explanation it is a modem-router whrere a phone RJ11 is used provided the ability to connect RJ45 to your system or use wireless .

which way is more advanced and modern ? and in first case ... whare is the modem which recieves net signal ?

techno di · 29 Oct 2012

Slartybart said:

Image courtesy Crutchfield

In the image, the Cable Modem is the device on the left, it is the device that connects to the Internet.

There is one more common topology for home networks, the cable modem is also a router and wireless access point - a Cable Router. A Cable router is normally supplied by your Service provider, they maintain control over devices attached to their network.

There will be ports (usually 4) for Ethernet. If the device is also a wireless access point, the antennae could be external or internal. You'll have to read the manual that came with the device or contact your ISP provider or provide the device information here. Who made it, what is the model number.

if i assume the grey device a modem and the middle blue to be a router .. then i suggest a third topology in which the RJ45 connects directly to PC or laptop jumping the router , fine ?

Slartybart · 29 Oct 2012

Yes, you can connect your PC directly to the cable modem using an Ethernet cable.

techno di · 29 Oct 2012

thank you

techno di · 29 Oct 2012

i saw two ways for net connection in two different countries i lived in .

the first way is throgh the phone line .. i.e you have a phone line socket in the wall ... that socket accepts RJ 11 , connecting the wire b/w phone device and socket will run the phone .

in net .. a splitter that splittes the RJ11 line comes from wall is used to produce to lines , one for phone and the other being for modem .

a connection is also set b/w modem and PC i.e through the use of ethernet wire or RJ 45 .

another way is that an RJ45 comes from out of home surely from ISP and person just has to connect that to his PC or use modem if he wishes wireless communication .

what are the diffrences b/w the above methods ?

i had recently posted this .

Slartybart · 29 Oct 2012

There are many ways to connect to the Internet
Dialup - a modem in your PC connects to your phone line and calls another modem at your service provider
Dialup is rarely used today.

Data Subscriber Line (DSL) - a DSL modem connects to your phone line. You PC connects to the DSL modem either by Ethernet or more recently USB
DSL is not used very much either

Cable or Fiber Optics (FO) - a provider runs cable or FO to your home and supplies services such as TV, Phone, and Internet. Inside your home you would connect a coax cable to the Cable Modem (CM) and connect devices (routers, wireless access points, computers) to the CM using an Ethernet cable.

It sounds as though you might have a DSL modem.
The splitter plugs into the phone jack on the wall.
One RJ11 jack on the splitter is for your phone and the other RJ11 jack goes to the DSL modem
Then you connect the PC to the DSL modem using the RJ45 jacks and Cat5 cable (Ethernet)

Please refer to the following Wiki pages for more detailed information.
DSL
Internet Access

You can change the page to your native language on the left side of the page.

techno di · 30 Oct 2012

slartybart , digital subscriber line or data subscriber line ?

i really did use the two ways .... DSL and non -DSL

but for the non -DSL , a wire comes from out and i plug it in router to use wireless connection , or plug it directly to PC as i wish . but where does it come from ?
i saw it comes from a device ' box -shaped ' meant to serve our small community i.e limited no' of buildings.
but what is the mechanism exactly ?

Slartybart · 31 Oct 2012

digital not data - my mistake.

I'm not sure I understand what you're asking or what issue you're trying to solve.

The image in post 14 shows two common home networks, we discussed two other topologies. What ever is on the other side of the Cable modem is not within the scope of this thread.

The box that serves your community is most likely a junction box for the service provider. The service provider runs a cable from their junction into your home. There's nothing you do - they run the cable.

You might speak with one of your neighbors to find out information specific to your area. I think that's about all the help I can be - good luck with your network configuration.