Definitions: router, modem

16 years ago

What is a router?

What is a modem?

I have both on my computer, and I had to label them so I could remember which is which. They are both little boxes to me. But what actually are they? And how do they work together? Simple words, please!! LOL!

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Comments (7)

abr4xii
16 years ago
A modem gets you connected to the internet. It translates signals sent over the phone line into data that your computer can use.
A router can take that connection that a modem creates, and share it with (or route it to) more than one computer.

You need a modem to get on the internet. You need a router to use that connection on more than one computer at the same time.
jerry_nj
16 years ago
I'll venture the additional.

Modems come in at least three "flavors"

Voice-band or dial-up modem for use over regular telephone lines, this is the "modem" we have been using for the past 30 years, peaking in the 56KBits modems meeting the ITU standards V.92

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modems that "push" the regular telephone lines to give rates as hight at 3 Mbits and allows the line to be used for voice telephone at the same time.

Cable modem that connects to the tv cable. This may be much hight yet, maybe 10 Mbits, I don't know the cable modem rates, I use DSL and Dial-up.
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I don't believe there is a way to hook up two modems to the wiring and have them function independently. You might be able to use one in a "repeater" mode, though, and that could possibly be done wirelessly. There are also specific repeater devices you can get to extend the signal, and that might be easier to do. I suggest you contact the manufacturer of your modem to ask what is possible with that specific model, and whether they sell a repeater device that would be easier to set up than a second router. By the way, have you confirmed that the streaming does not work well, or is that just a statement in the manual? By the way, I have a similar situation. I have a DSL modem with a 3MB signal that is connected to a router in an upstairs closet; my tv system is in the living room downstairs. I have an older DVD player without a streaming capability, but wanted to be able to stream Netflix movies. I bought the Roku wireless device that Netflix sells, plugged it in to the back of my tv as an additional input, and set up the connection in about 2 minutes. I am able to get maximum quality every time I use it unless someone else is using a computer in another part of the house, in which case picture quality drops down a little.
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I would think that any name brand wireless router will work fine. I have a DSL modem supplied by the phone company, and a 4-port Belkin Pre-N wireless router I bought separately a couple of years ago. The incoming signal goes to the modem, and then an Ethernet cable goes to the router. Hard wired devices plug into the ports in the back of the modem via Ethernet cable. My router can handle 4 hard-wired devices, and 32 wireless devices. I have 4 PCs hooked up to it (1 wired, 3 wireless), a Roku box (wireless), and a printer (wireless). The only thing to keep in mind about cable is that speeds can vary depending on how many people in the neighborhood are online at any given time. DSL is a constant speed, and since mine is 3 Mbps, that's enough for me. Have you checked to see whether your DSL supplier can provide a higher speed? Last year, my speed was 1.5 Mbps and I asked if they had anything higher in my area. They said they had 3.0 available for the same price. When I asked why they hadn't just bumped up my speed, they said they were only allowed to change my account if I called to request and authorize it first! I said: Who wouldn't want twice the speed for the same price? They said they just wanted to be sure this was something I wanted! At any rate, 10 seconds later I had twice the speed. Lastly, since you're mixing PCs and Macs on your system, I don't know if that would cause any problems. I have have friends with Macs who visit and they can get on my system (when I give them my security code) with no problem. However, if you are switching providers, you should ask first if there could be any problems.
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If the problem is still current why don't you buy a wireless router? In my opinion, it is easier to use and doesn't have a lot of cables which spoil the design. You will not have anymore problems with finding a convenient desk, cupboard, etc. Anyway, for other questions about router, you can check this site router-network because there you can find all the information about routers and I think that you can find the right one for you. I bought the best router 2020 after their advice, and I don't regret it.
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DA_Mccoy
16 years ago
A Google search using the words computer definitions provided numerous items. Included was a source often referred to here at the Forum.

DA

Here is a link that might be useful: Webopedia
socks
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for all the help.

If I only have one computer, then I would not need a router?

Would there be any other reason to have a router? Does it protect the computer in any way?

Thank you Damccoy for the link. Sometimes those definitions use other words I don't understand, and that's why I asked here for the simplest version. I will save that link, tho.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
16 years ago
Yes a router normally has a built in hardware firewall which definitely helps keep your pc more secure.

I have verizon fios (fiber optic internet) and I have a dlink router that my ethernet cable plugs into straight out of the wall, then from the router I plug in an ethernet cable to my various pcs, it serves as modem and router.

a router should be set up with the firewall active, and it should be set up with a good password not left with the standard one that came with it.
A Nat router is a hardware firewall where as programs like zonealarm are software firewalls, I always recommend using both especially with any type of broadband connection.
jerry_nj
16 years ago
If I had only one computer I would not add a Router. I ran that way when I used dial-up from two computers, and of course that meant only one computer on-line at at time. When I purchased DSL service I also purchased a Router, as there's no other way I know of to connect two or more computers to one DSL modem, nor is there a way to put more than one DSL modem on a single phone line. Sorry if this got over complicated, just couldn't stop typing. Again, you do not need a Router if you are connecting only one computer to the phone line (dial or dsl) or cable.
mikie_gw
16 years ago
Most high-speed isp modems will have a router already built in. One fairly easy way to determine is maybe go here and see if it shows that you have an internal LAN ip number.

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Definitions: router, modem

Comments (7)

abr4xii

jerry_nj

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Definitions: router, modem

Comments (7)

abr4xii

jerry_nj

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