What is a modem, router, and Hub? What do they do?

Question

I need to find out some very basic things about networking, as quickly as I can. As far as I know I'm dealing with a "peer to peer network," which includes seven computers and a printer. With a cable Internet connection. Can you help me define the terms above and tell me what each one of them does in the network? 10 points for the easiest to understand, clearest answer. I'd really like to know where to go to learn more without too much techie doubletalk.

Answer 1

Modem

Stands for Modulator-Demodulator. All traditional network uses a cable called Cat 5, kinda looks like a phone cable, cept there is more wires in it, so the plugs are a little bigger on the ends. The modem can connect this sort of cable to the Phone socket or Cable TV that comes into your house.

Router

This usually has a WAN (Wide Area Network - Think Internet) socket, and a 4 LAN (Local Area Network - Think house or office or building). It 'routes' the traffic comming in off the internet to where it needs to go, also from computers in the house to each other. You nearly always only have ONE Router on a network, as having more then one, unless they are set up properly, can cause all kinds of trouble as they fight with each other over which one gets to 'route' the traffic. Very important if you want more then one computer to connect to the internet. They also usually have firewalls on them, security that stops any Tom Dick and Harry from accessing the computers in your house.

Hub

This is like a Router, except it doesnt really route anything. It only has LAN sockets on it, and doesn't have any security. It's like a dumb Router. You usually have these connected to the LAN sockets on the Router. Think of it as a splitter. It can take one socket on the router, and connect it to another 4 8 20 or however many sockets it has.

Wiki is really helpful to learn about this sort of think, just wiki Router, Switch (Hub), Modem etc...

Answer 2

Modem - dial up modem, DSL modem, Cable modem. Decodes the data that is sent to the modem via phone line or Cable line, then decodes it so that your computer can understand it.
Router - Distributes an internet connection. Most routers have 1 connection for the internet line then the others go to other computers and distribute the internet. The router is also like a hub that you would use to hook up computers to each other in a LAN (local area network) so that they can communicate with each other.

So your modem would be hooked up to a router then that router to your 7 computers. Then one computer would have the printer connected to it and all the other computers should detect the printer through the LAN.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Modem - dial up modem, DSL modem, Cable modem. Decodes the data that is sent to the modem via phone line or Cable line, then decodes it so that your computer can understand it.
Router - Distributes an internet connection. Most routers have 1 connection for the internet line then the others go to other computers and distribute the internet. The router is also like a hub that you would use to hook up computers to each other in a LAN (local area network) so that they can communicate with each other.

So your modem would be hooked up to a router then that router to your 7 computers. Then one computer would have the printer connected to it and all the other computers should detect the printer through the LAN.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

A Modem: translates packets from your intranet to the internet and vice-versa. You need a modem of some sort to connect to the outside world.

A router is a traffic cop. It intellegently decides how to move packets from source to destination, and fans the single connection from the modem to the multiple connections of your LAN. They can also perform some services involving IP addresses.

A Hub is an on ramp. It does the same thing as a router, in that it handles multiple connections and translated them to a single connection, but a hub relies on the router for information on what to do.

Answer 5

router
The part of a communications network that receives transmissions (information) and forwards them to their destinations using the shortest route available. Data may travel through multiple routers on the way to its destination.


Modem.
Acronym for modulator/demodulator. Lets a computer transmit and receive information over telephone lines. Modems convert analog data into digital data computers can read and convert digital data into analog data so it can be transmitted over telephone lines. Modems are the primary way home computer users connect to outside networks such as the Internet and commercial online services.

Hub
A device that connects two or more network devices, so they can communicate. In other words, a point on the network where multiple devices are connected to each other.

Answer 6

Definition Of A Modem

Answer 7

some good answers above: just remember the 'hub' will distribute all data to all nodes (members of the LAN or computers) so if security is an issue, the router would be a step up on the security ladder; it sends data to a specific address on the LAN (a single computer).

Answer 8

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The DHCP going to manage them ... Maybe U need some Configration in Ur 3 PC's. 1st : Make the 3 PC have Same work Group .. How ?? Just right click on My Computer then Choose Properties. then Computer name then Change , Just make Sure the 3 PC have the Same Name . This Step required Restart. 2nd : Check the IP's . Make Sure that they All have IP & it's not Dynamic one. 3rd : Check Ur Firewall . & make New Rule for Ur Firewall to Accept the Connection from the Other PC's. ** Maybe the Two Router make that Conflict ... Contact Ur ISP then . More Details U can Contact me. ▂▃▅▆▇█▓▒░★▄¶╦╗▄╠╣▄©★▒░▓█▇▆▅▃▂