Router and Modem

About Router and Modem

• Function:Connects your network to the internet via your ISP.
• Signal translation:Converts digital signals from your devices into analog signals for transmission over cable or phone lines, and converts incoming analog signals back into digital data.
• Network:Operates on a Wide Area Network (WAN) and uses a public IP address from your ISP.
• Connectivity:Connects to the ISP's network and has an Ethernet port to connect to a router or a single device.

• Function:Creates a local network (LAN) and shares the modem's internet connection with multiple devices.
• Signal distribution:Distributes the internet signal to devices wirelessly (Wi-Fi) or through wired connections.
• Network management:Assigns unique local IP addresses to each device on the network and directs data traffic between them and the modem.
• Security:Provides a firewall to protect your network from unauthorized access and other malicious attacks.
• Connectivity:Connects to the modem via an Ethernet cable and has multiple ports for wired connections, as well as an antenna for Wi-Fi signals.

• Many modern devices combine the functions of a modem and router into a single unit, often called a "gateway" or "modem/router combo".
• While convenient, a dedicated router can offer superior performance, features (like advanced parental controls), and more regular firmware updates compared to an ISP-provided gateway, notesDiffen.