You’ve heard of routers, and you’ve heard of modems, but which one is better? Well, that’s not really the right question.
Modems and routers are two different devices, so you can’t appropriately compare them. An exception is the modem and router combination. The modem router combo is better than a standalone modem. It offers security, WIFI, and the ability to connect multiple machines all in a single device.
Let’s look at how these two devices are different and how they work together to give you a great internet experience.
How to choose between a combo unit and separate devices
If given a choice between a modem router combination and a separate modem and router, I would go with the combo unit. It’s cheaper, just as effective, and cleaner regarding the number of devices I need to accommodate and their cables.
The only thing that would make me choose the separate modem and router was if I needed some of the unique features you can get in some routers. Most combo units have everything the average user needs, but some folks need parental controls or specific remote access functionality.
That said, if your service provider only offers the combination units, you can always get a separate router and connect it to the service provider’s combination unit as if it were only a modem. You may need to change the setting in the combo unit to allow traffic in, but otherwise, it will work just fine.
What is a modem?
A modem is a device given to you by your internet service provider that converts the signal sent to your home into an ethernet signal that you can use.
Depending on the model, it could be purposed to convert signals sent on coax cable, fiber optics, or copper telephone lines called Digital Subscriber Link or DSL. There are others. These are just the most common.
The conversion is necessary because your service provider uses different technologies than what we use in our homes to send data between the various points it needs to go.
Because of that, most modems need to be configured by your service provider. That’s why they typically provide them. The good news is, they generally are very reliable devices that don’t need any maintenance or attention from the end-user.
Modems most often come with a single ethernet port but can have more depending on the model. For most folks, one is enough.
Some models come with a router built into them, making a modem router combination. These devices have a full router on board with a four-port switch, security features, and WIFI built-in. Combining these devices can be especially handy if your needs are very simple.
The modem and router combination device, if available, is also provided by your internet service provider. I can’t speak to the practices in your service area, but there are no additional charges for a device like that in mine. No extra charges make the modem and router combination an economical and practical option for folks.
What is a router?
A router is a device that helps you connect your small network at home, called a LAN, to the internet or WAN. A LAN is a Local Area Network, and a WAN is a Wide Area Network.
If you don’t have a router built into your modem and don’t have one on hand, you will have to purchase one from your local computer store or online. They aren’t very expensive and are well worth the money you’d spend.
A router is specifically designed to learn your network and the location of commonly connected places outside of your network so it can send or route traffic back and forth very efficiently.
In addition to that, routers typically have a four-port switch on board so that you can have up to four wired devices on your LAN. The switch shares your internet connection amongst all of the devices connected to it.
You can connect other routers or switches to these ports to expand your network if you like, but typically four ports are provided non-the-less.
Most modern routers include WIFI. Typically with two bands. WIFI allows you to connect numerous devices wirelessly onto the same onboard switch. Some routers can separate wireless devices from communicating with each other while others do not.
When you think about a WIFI connection, consider it like ethernet or wired connection onto the same four-port switch only without the wires. That’s how the internet connection gets shared wirelessly.
Home routers include a very rudimentary firewall called a stateful packet inspection firewall. What that means is, it blocks folks on the internet from connecting to your network. But, at the same time, you can connect to the internet without any hassles.
From your point of view, your internet will work like you don’t have a firewall, whereas, in reality, your router will protect your network from the open internet. Pretty good deal!
How do a router and modem work together?
First, your internet service provider has a connection to the main internet trunk lines that interconnect cities, countries, and continents. From there, they branch their network out to their customers using coax cable, fiber optics, or copper lines.
These lines connect to the modem in your house, which acts as a passthrough device whose sole job is to convert from the service provider’s network solution to the standard ethernet that your computer needs.
From your modem, you would connect a router using an ethernet cable. Once this cable is connected and both devices are powered up, the internet service provider can see the router and the request for an IP address. An IP address is selected and assigned to your router.
Routers use the same process to assign IP addresses to the devices that have been connected to them as your service provider. Once a connection has been established, the router selects an IP address and gives it to the device.
Now the chain is complete. Your device has an IP address from the router, and your router has an IP address from your service provider. It’s at this point that your device can connect to resources on the internet.
But what about the combined modem and router? All of the same steps still occur. However, the connection between the modem and the router is inside the device, so no cable is needed. You’re able to skip over that and go straight to connecting your end devices.
As soon as the modem is connected and powered up, the router has an IP address and is ready to go. All you’ll need to do is connect your devices.
I hope that helps you understand the devices and options to choose the best one for you! Happy surfing!