Modern man can not do without the Internet. However, network users may be concerned about connectivity issues. And if everything is easy with a direct connection - I plugged the cable into the computer and you're done, then there may be problems with the wireless.
Today, in connection with the development of technology, some people have a question, what is a router and a modem and what is the difference between them? In this article you will find answers to these questions. We will tell you what these devices are and what they are for. We advise which router is better for home.
Router
At present, this device is indispensable. A simple example is office work. Imagine what the building inside would look like if a direct cable came to each computer. The rooms were more like a power station due to the large number of wires. And with a router, the room becomes more spacious and tidy. Instead of a bunch of cables, the building houses several small boxes with antennas. They are the routers.
A router is a device that distributes a signal to a certain area so that not only one computer, but also others can use the network in its area of โโoperation. For example, if you have a router at home, then you can use the Internet on any gadget if it has network settings.
You can connect devices such as modern televisions, phones, tablets, laptops, laser printers to the router. Recently, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers are also equipped with Wi-Fi technology. However, each connected device reduces the speed of the Internet. Since each device will take its own piece of the Network. From the router to all devices, it is distributed evenly. Therefore, if the house has a lot of equipment that needs to be connected to the Internet, then several devices are installed. If you have one laptop and a pair of phones, then one is quite enough.
Some routers already have a built-in modem. But today we will consider them separately. Since the purpose of this article is to tell you how the modem differs from the router.
Types of Routers
The variety of these devices is small, because they all perform one function:
- The first router is ADSL. This type is considered obsolete. It connects to a telephone line and can receive data of 10 Mb / s, and transmit up to 700 Kb / s. Of its advantages, it can be emphasized that it does not need to carry additional cables.
- The second type is Ethernet routers. The most common type. A cable is connected to it . The cable is twisted and consists of two lines: data transmission and reception. The router can reach speeds of approximately 100 Mb / s. Today it is the easiest and most reliable way to access the Internet.
- The third type is the most advanced data transmission device. The LTE router works with 3 and 4G networks. Its peculiarity is that the signal does not come to it through a cable, but through a radio signal. But at this time, this type of communication is very expensive, and the transmission and reception speed leaves much to be desired.
According to the type of transmission, the described devices are divided into wired and wireless.
So, we examined the main types of routers. And to the question of which router is best for home, we safely advise you Ethernet. Since it has a reasonable price, it is easy to use and has a normal speed.
Modem
Now let's look at the modem and finally draw a conclusion what is the difference between the modem and the router. This device is used for encoding and transmitting a signal, its reception and conversion.
You may have encountered it in the past, since there were few options for accessing the Internet. And when telephone lines were used for this, the modem gained its popularity. But later network cards appeared, and the popularity of the modem fell. Network cards were cheaper, and data transfer speeds were many times faster. However, today the modem will be relevant for people who travel all the time.
External and internal modems
Modems run in many ways. There are two types: internal and external. The first are located inside the computer itself. For example, in every modern laptop it is already installed by the manufacturer. And in order to connect an external modem to a PC or laptop, you must have an expansion slot.
What is the difference between a modem and a router
Router:
- Distributes Wi-fi signal.
- It has its own IP address.
- Can distribute the Network to two or more devices.
- It provides good data protection.
Modem:
- Converts received data.
- It does not have its own IP address.
- Submits Network to only one device
- It does not have data security features.
Based on this data, you yourself can conclude that it is better - a modem or router.
Conclusion
So, we looked at two similar devices. We found out what the difference between a modem and a router is. Now it will be easier for you to choose a device. For the home, it is best to use a router, and for travel - a modem.
When purchasing, we recommend that you pay attention to the manufacturer. Since it is better to buy such devices from reliable developers, in order not to have problems later.