Modem vs. Router!

Jisan

OMG Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2020
Messages
25
Nowadays, both modem and router are very important devices for us.

Do you know?
What's the Difference between modem and router?
Or,
What does a modem do? What does a router do?
 

Agile

OMG Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2020
Messages
30
There is a very thin line between the two. But one outstanding difference is that a modem is primarily designed to modulate frequency to and transmitting it in the right form. Whereas a router, just like the name suggests, is for routing data packets and transmitting them through the right channel. Most networking devices nowadays come packed with both features.
 

Floris

I'm just me :) Hi.
Staff member
Joined
Jan 1, 2001
Messages
60,096
Simplified, the modem is a listening device that can handle incoming packets (modulator-demodulator traffic).

You will need one for dial-up, isdn, dsl, cable, fibre, etc.

Most modems have a built-in way to switch between ports, to get 'this' going 'there' and 'that' going 'over there'.

Sometimes a modem can be put in bridge mode. It becomes more of a 'dumb device' as I like to call it. It does the initial handling of traffic, and then you send it off to the router that's behind it.

A router simplified is a device that can forward traffic to the right device. Adding your own router to your network (modem in bridge mode for example) allows you to spread the workload of the modem, to modem and router. And the router sometimes is even more powerful in hardware to deal with todays wide variety of traffic. Especially in a household with multiple people, all having multiple devices. Using a router with more advanced wifi capabilities and proper antennas can also improve the performance, spread the pressure of traffic through quality of service, dedicate a guest network, or have multiple things like the older 2.4ghz for 5ghz.

I always recommend to ask the ISP if the modem can be set up in bridge mode and if it is allowed to use your own router behind their modem. If so, then get a modern router that's around 150 bucks, and configure it properly. You might just be surprised how it helps your network.
 
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