Somebody at Insight Broadband told me that to get their service, I had to buy a computer modem for it. They said I could buy one from them or get it myself, but the only thing I've found is called a broadband router. Is it the same? Also, does anybody have any advice on the modem from them? Is it of good quality or should I buy my own?
Thanks
2006-07-25 05:18:20 · 7 answers · asked by ♪Grillon♫ 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
A broadband router is a combination of a broadband modem and a router. It is a combo. Which means it combines two or more different functions into one device.
The broadband router is 1. broadband modem and 2. router
Look into the pricing of the broudband modem the ISP is selling and compare that price to the broadband router you are considering. It is not a bad thing to have a router as well as a modem. The router contains a switch which provides each individual connection its own line to the internet without having to split the broadband between them.
For example: With a broadband modem and two computers you would need to use Internet Connection Sharing with one computer as the Server and the other the Client. When used in this fashion both share the connection. If you have 4Mbps each would have 2Mbps. If you utilize a router with the modem then each would receive the full amount of broadband which in this example would be the full 4Mbps.
Now, a router can also increase your broadband capabilities. For example my ISP provides for 12Mbps. With our router we have a 108Mbps with all three computers utilizing the entire 108Mbps each. If we only had the modem we would have to share the 12Mbps amoung the three computers and the computer which was sharing the connection would need to be on in order for the other two to use the connection. I just don't care for the Internet Connection setup.
So, it depends on how much you have to spend. If you have the money I highly suggest you purchase the broadband router. It is much better.
2006-07-25 05:34:51 · answer #1 · answered by Serenity 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Either will give you internet access although adsl modems are usually dirt cheap and provided by ISP's with little configuration options whereas broadband routers (go for ADSL if your using the phoneline, other one is cable routers) have much more options with things such as built in firewalls, port forwarding (needed for P2P) and most of them have ethernet ports so you can plug multiple PC's into it....also some have built in wireless as well. So it all depends on what you need it for. I've always gone for routers especially since modems that are provided by ISP's aren't an "always on" connection and you either have to double click an icon to connect or start a web browser to connect to the internet which takes more time than if it's always connected (routers) as true broadband should be like. I'd rather pay an extra £30 for a decent wireless router. If you decide to go for a router then go with a well known brand (Better to pay £10-20 more for one that will last and provides better performance), check the reviews from a site that's not selling the router and update the firmware when you get it for the newer features and greater stability.
2016-03-27 06:22:15 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. A broadband modem connects to your ISP. A Broadband Router routes that signal to different computers (more than 1).
2006-07-25 05:21:02 · answer #3 · answered by Todd V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, a broadband modem gets the signal into your house, the router distributes the signal from the modem to two or more computers, either wired or wireless.
2006-07-25 05:21:41 · answer #4 · answered by gadjitfreek 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they are not the same.
A modem (a portmanteau constructed from modulate and demodulate) is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information.
A router is a computer networking device that forwards data packets across an internetwork toward their destinations, through a process known as routing.
2006-07-25 05:20:31 · answer #5 · answered by Marvinator 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope a router splits your signal that comes form the modem so that you can use it on more then one machine or pocket pc ect...
The modem comes from your internet provider.
2006-07-25 05:21:39 · answer #6 · answered by gauthier613 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, they are different
2006-07-25 05:20:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋