A Brief Rundown of Modems

A Guide to Modem-Router Combos

If you want to get your home computer or mobile devices connected to the internet, the modem and router are the two important components of the system. With a modem you can communicate with your internet service provider. If it connects to your cable provider through a coaxial cable, it is called a cable modem. If it is connected to your telephone line, then it is a DSL modem. Your modem is dependent o the ISP’s infrastructure capability. It could also be fiber or satellite.

Sharing internet connection with other devices in your home or office is made possible through a router. A wireless router creates a Wi-Fi network that devices can connect to. If there are Ethernet cables, there are also routers which has ports for these. It is through the modem that the router connects devices to the internet. The router is the recipient and owner of a single IP address on the internet which servers on the net can connect to.

Routers have firewalls that protect them against the internet. With the router firewall, it gives protection in hardware format, in addition to the software firewall found in your computer.

Routers and modems are combine in one piece of equipment with ADSL devices.

There are only a few cosmetic differences with modem-router combos but all brands basically work the same way.

You can find many types of modem-router combos to choose from which vary in prices from those less than a hundred to a few hundred dollars.

If your service provider is providing internet through cable network, the modem for cable is a standard one called the DOCSIS 3.0 being the latest format across all brands. If it is a DSL connection, you would go for a VDSL connection for speeds greater than 15 Mbps, and an ADSL connection for lesser speeds.

There is no difficulty in choosing a router. Two types of technology are used with routers. These two technologies are the beam forming technology which directs a beam at your device and the other is the radius Wi-Fi technology. This type of technology works well with both new and old devices. The speed can range from 100 Mbps to 5300 Mbps.

A modem router bought on your own is much better than the low renal you pay for the modem router provided by your service provider. The difference in internet speed is worth spending a few hundred dollars for.

It is better to have one unit that serves both functions of modem and router, a combo, in other words, than getting a separate modem and router. If you are getting all the features of the best modem and the best router, then you get a good system since different brands can be used together.