When you sign upwardly for new internet service, y'all may be offered a modem and a router or one device that does both jobs. Do you really need to get a modem and a router to utilize the net? Information technology'south time to clear upward a few misconceptions.

Clearing Up the Pregnant of "Modem"

The word "modem" is curt for modulator/demodulator. It refers to a device used for dial-up internet, where data is sent over the same copper telephone lines that voice calls use.

The modem takes the ones and zeroes that represent the data packets sent over the internet and turns them into sound frequencies over copper wire. It also does the reverse, listening to the sounds coming from the internet and turning them dorsum into binary code.

Modern modems used with DSL, fiber, cable, and mobile information are not modems in the term'south original sense. However, what they exercise have in common is converting digital data from the computer into the format of the transmission system—for example, converting electrical impulses into the light pulses used in cobweb optics.

The nigh of import affair that yous should know is that a modem is a device that connects you to the greater cyberspace. It's the transition bespeak from your home LAN (Local Expanse Network) to the WAN (Wide Expanse Network).

What Is a "Router"?

Network data enters and leaves your abode or business through the modem. Still, information technology's a router that organizes the network traffic to each individual device, both between each other on the internal network and between those devices and the cyberspace.

A router'due south job is complicated, and these devices are basically dedicated computers with their own CPU, memory, and operating system. You can hook upwards network switches, PCs, smartphones, and any other Wi-Fi or Ethernet device to a router, and it will figure out where to transport each packet. Routers, at least more than expensive ones, can also run network applications. For case, information technology can human activity as a VPN device or manage network-attached storage.

Most routers offer at least iv Ethernet ports and Wi-Fi, capable of connecting and managing dozens or even hundreds of devices. Unless y'all literally but have ane device you want to connect to the internet through a modem, you're going to want some type of router.

Cobweb Vs. DSL Vs. Cable Vs. Cellular Modems

Although many devices share the label "modem," they aren't interchangeable. Most home broadband modems have an Ethernet port on your side of the connection, just they're radically different on the internet side of things.  Fiber modems connect to a fiber connection, DSL connects to copper telephone wire, cable modems connect to coaxial TV cables, and cellular modems utilise microwave radio signals.

And then, in this context, the answer to "do I need a modem?" is "yes" if you lot're moving from one type of connexion to another. Your quondam DSL modem isn't going to work with fiber or cable connections, for instance.

Sometimes the Modem Is Already There

If you move into an apartment building or abode where there's a "cobweb" connectedness, what you lot may observe is a evidently old Ethernet port, to which y'all tin can connect any router with an ethernet "WAN" port. In other words, you don't need to buy a modem because there's already 1 installed.

This is especially true in the case of cobweb. People retrieve of "cobweb modems" as ethernet routers that connect to ONTs (Optical Network Terminals). That's the device that converts Ethernet electrical signals to lite pulses.

Cobweb routers are therefore just regular routers, but they usually have support for faster Ethernet standards. Afterwards all, if you have gigabit fiber just connect a router that but supports 100Mbps ethernet, you lot'd lose 90% of your internet connection'southward full speed!

If there's a device with just ane or two Ethernet ports and no Wi-Fi, you're probably looking at a modem to which yous tin connect a router to expand its functionality.

The Pros and Cons of All-In-1 Devices

If you need a modem for your connection type, since ane isn't included in the Internet service provider plan or wasn't already installed, you lot could buy a combo device containing both a modem for your broadband type and an Ethernet and Wi-Fi router.

You merely need an all-in-ane unit like this if yous don't already have a modem, just if you exercise need a modem, in that location are a few advantages (and disadvantages) to going for a single device that does everything.

On the positive side of the equation:

  • It's unremarkably cheaper than ii separate devices.
  • You only have to bargain with one unified setup procedure.
  • Troubleshooting is easier since in that location are fewer separate devices involved.

On the not-so-positive side of the equation:

  • If the device fails, you take no net. With a dissever modem, you lot could notwithstanding hook upwardly at least i device in a compression.
  • The router portion of the device may not be very good, stable, or back up avant-garde functions such as network storage or VPNs.

Another major issue with using a combination device has to do with Wi-Fi footprint. These days virtually users want Wi-Fi to cover their entire home, and unless you alive in a small apartment, a unmarried router probably isn't going to cut it, which is one reason you might desire to have a separate modem and router.

Renting an All-In-1 Device From Your ISP

Many ISPs offer an all-in-one device that contains both a router and a modem for your specific type of connection. If y'all can't afford to buy your own solution and it doesn't represent a pregnant actress cost to your monthly rental, there's no harm in using these devices for a while.

However, ISPs tend to bundle the cheapest devices they tin with their services. If it's an off-the-shelf router, yous can read reviews almost information technology, only sometimes these devices are modified and rebranded, making information technology hard to know if they're whatsoever skilful.

Also, be enlightened that some ISPs let yous go on the router one time it'southward paid off, while others simply offer a pure rental, which means you take to give the device back when you end your subscription. In general, it's better to cull the hire-to-own option if it'south available.

Using a Modem With a Separate Router

Whether you've already got a modem and yet need a router or yous need to buy both items, there are distinct advantages to separating the two.

For one thing, you can focus your budget on your router solution and but buy a basic modem. Every bit long every bit the modem runs at the speed your connection offers, there's really not much to look for in these devices.

If you have a big abode and want to spread the Wi-Fi around, you can use a mesh Wi-Fi router. These are the preferred solution, only you can use powerline ethernet and Wi-Fi extenders also. If you use a single router, yous have the option of using Wi-Fi repeaters, merely these come with severe speed and latency penalties, and nosotros tin't recommend them these days.

You also accept the pick of connecting additional admission points (or an old router set to access point manner) to extend your network's reach without speed compromises. This is a good choice if you want to save money compared to a mesh router solution or already accept a few old routers in the cupboard.

Summing It Up

Permit's sum information technology all upwards down to the most important points:

  • Strictly speaking, you only demand a modem to connect to the internet.
  • Modems generally only offer a unmarried Ethernet port and no Wi-Fi.
  • You need a router to connect all the devices in your abode to the modem.
  • You can buy a modem and router combo device, just they have compromises.
  • Mesh network routers or powerline extenders are superior to Wi-Fi repeaters and can be directly connected to a modem's Ethernet port. Making this a better choice than a combination modem-router unit for large homes.

Now you should accept a clear agreement of the different jobs modems and routers do, which you should have for your needs, and the different means these devices tin be combined.