What is the use of a Router ? How different is a router from a Modem ?

Answer 1

There are basically 3 types of routers.
a. Wired Router
b. Wireless Router
c. Wired and Wireless Router

First things first. Do you have electricity? I assume yes. Have you ever seen a power strip? I assume yes also. That strip takes the electricity from your 2 outlett wall outlett and turns it into 8 outletts.

Think of the wall as the modem. It gives you the "signal" that you are trying to access. But what happens if you need to plug in your clock, desk lamp, computer, phone charger, laptop, radio and printer.... well you only have 2 plugs. So you need something to route that signal to 7 things.... Thats where the power stip comes into play.

Think of the power stip as the router. It takes that signal we are talking about and splits it into 7.

A wireless router does essentially the same thing. However with a wireless router....

Have you ever had a house phone? I assume you have, and have had a cordless phone before too...

Think of the wall outlet for your phone as the modem....
Then you have the cradle, think of that as the wireless router.
It receives the signal, then turns the signal into a wireless data that your handset will pick up.

After all that... in basic terms.

A modem converts one type of signal into the correct type that your computer can use.

A router takes the correct signal and splits it up so that you can share it with other computers.

If you plan on using a router, you will need a modem also... just an FYI

Answer 2

A Router enables the computer on a network to have packets of data received and sent by a computer on a network. If you have more than one computer and you have DSL or Cable, then a Router could be handy.

Actually a Router acts as a Switch too, and sometime, often also contains an Wireless Access Point. The important thing to remember is each of these are three seperate items. However, if you want to understand Routers, it is important you know that too.

It is true that a Router simply sends data back and forth, basically that is where it got its name from, it "routes" data packets.

Now, a Router also has the ability to set IP Addresses. It usually has a DHCP server in it to do this. Often, it will also have a DNS server as well. Both of these items are required as they server important functions. The DHCP Server assigns IP Addresses, which each computer must have to communicate accross a network, including the Internet, which is one large network, consisting of millions of smaller networks. Each computer which communicates with the Internet must have a different IP Address. The IP Address which communicates directly with the Internet must be a Public IP Address, each and every one has to be different. A Private IP Address is one on a smaller network, and that network has what is called a Subnet Address. I won't go into what that is. Now, these Private IP Addresses can be the same as an IP Address on another computer IF that other comptuer is on a different Subnet Address.

A DNS Server is a Domain Name System. It changes domain names such as www.microsoft.com into its IP Address which could be: 192.168.10.256. IPv4 uses IP Addresses in that configuration. Four number places with three slots each. XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX

However, as it is difficult to remember numbered IP Addresses, the Domain Names came about to help people remember. However, as the Domain Name has to also have its IP Address. DNS translates Domain Names into IP Addresses, which is what the Interent uses to communicate, not the Domain Names. Domain Names is just a convience for us humans. Computers don't need easily remembered human given names, they work with numbers.

Now, a Router routes these data packets of information back and forth between computers. A Router does not communicate directly with the Internet. Rather the Modem does that. The Router takes the information for a computer and sends it to the Modem, which in turn sends it to another Modem, which can then send it to a computer directly connected to another Modem, or first to a Router, which then sends it on to the Computer. It is safer to use the Router as an itermediary, as this keeps the computer from direct access to the Internet and thus is safer from attacks and viruses, etc. Routers will also often have Firewalls, to help with the safetey.

Now, a Switch is a function which can be inside the Router, or a peice of hardware on its own. The Switch enables computers which share a connection to not have to split the bandwidth between them. Without a Switch, each computer must share the bandwidth. So, if a computer has 100mb connection bandwidth, then shares with three more, each gets only 25mb of that original 100mb. The Switch enables each computer to get the full 100mb each by enabling sending and receiving at the same time, rather than having to share and spilt is up between the computers.

An Access Point is how the Wireless part comes in. It can be in the Router or a seperate peice of hardware, just like the Switch can be a part of the Rotuer or seperate hardware. Without the Access Point there is no wireless connectivity.

Currently, Routers are sold with all three of these peices of hardware build into one hardware unit. This cuts down on the cost and lowers configuration headaches. Managing one peice of hardware is much easier and less costly than three. A Router has RJ45 connections which you use to plug computers in with. The Access Point is what enables the Wireless portion. Without the Access Point, there is no Wireless connection ability.

Good luck, have a great evening or morning,depending on where you live!

Answer 3

The term modem actually stands for "modulator/demodulater". It decodes or encodes the signal coming in/out.

A router does just that; it routes the signal from the source (in this case the modem, which has "translated" the data) and channels it to the different computers, etc.

Answer 4

A router literally routes traffic from one network or type of network to another, and often has configuable rules for traffic management.

A modem is short for modulator/demodulator, and the function of a modem is to convert analog signals to digital signals and vice versa. Cable and DSL "Modems" really aren't modems, since they deal in digital signals only.

Answer 5

A modem can connect one computer to a WAN/Internet. It essentially converts the analog signal of telephone signs/cable signals to a digital signal that computers can convert to IP (internet protocol) traffic.

A router connects multiple computers to a modem that connects to a WAN/Internet. This functionality can generally be had with routers, switches and hubs (though each has specific features and benefits).

Answer 6

Router routes data to different computers in your network. the modem allows you to connect with the internet.

Answer 7

A router is wireless, while a modem uses wires. A router is easier, I guess.

Answer 8

a router allows multiple computers to connect to each other

a modem connects to the internet

Answer 9

modem is what gets you online, router goes after the modem and its a branch device so you can put more than just one computer on the modem. think of it in terms of a cable splitter, putting cable into more rooms in your house.

Answer 10

modem is the device that connects to your home pc.. and the router is the device that sends internet signal to a laptop or something.. its like wireless internet..