Difference between a Router and a Modem

Modem VS Router

Modem and Router both are computer peripheral used to connect the computer to the INTERNET. The Modem is a network connecting device and on the other hand, the Router is a network sharing or distributing device. This is the main difference between the Modem and the Router.

It is not possible to live in the modern day without internet. We are all using the INTERNET. To access the internet on our computer we need an internet connection. We also need a Modem and Router to access the internet.

Most of the people have confused about the Modem and Router. Both of the devices look similar. Nowadays one device can give the facility of the Modem and Router. But they have a big difference. So let's know What is the difference between Modem and Router.

Difference between Modem and Router

Comparison Element	Modem	Router
Device Type	Network Connecting device	Network sharing or distributing device
Signal processing	The modem does the conversion of signals	The router does distribution of signals
Device connectivity	Only one computer can be connected to the Modem	More than one computer can be connected to the Router
No. of Layer	Modem works on only one layer that is Data link layer	The router works on three layers that are, data link layer, physical layer, network layer
Security	The modem does not give security	The router can give security.
No. of ports	The modem has two ports. One port for connection to ISP and other port for connection to the computer.	The router has no. of ports 5/8/10/16
Depend/In depend	The modem can be used without a Router to access the INTERNET.	The router cannot be used without modem to access the INTERNET
Use	The modem cannot be used to connect no. of computers to create LAN	The router can be used to connect no. of computers to create LAN
Jacks	The modem uses RJ45 and RJ11 jacks for connection of computer and ISP.	The Router uses only RJ45 jacks for connection.
Rating	The rating of Modem is frequency, data capacity	The rating of router are frequency, device connectivity, data capacity
Modulation/Demodulation	The Modem can modulate and demodulate of signals	The router can modulate and demodulate of signals
Wi-Fi technology	The modem does not use Wi-Fi technology	Wireless routers use Wi-Fi technology
VPN	VPN cannot be used with Modem	VPN can be used with the router.
Circuits	The modem has both analog and digital circuits inside it	The router has only Digital circuits except for power supply circuit.

What actually a Modem Does

The term "Modem" comes from the concept of modulation and demodulation of signals. The Modem does modulate and demodulate the signals according to the requirements. Now let's know in detail.

We know that the INTERNET is the interconnection between the no. of computers around the world. So to access the internet we also need to connect our computer to that network. This connection provides us the Broadband operator or Telephone operator.

The Broadband operator gives us an internet connection with a wire. To access the internet we must connect that wire to our computer but there is a problem. The internet connection which is given to us is in analog form. We know that our computer can understand only the digital signal. So we need to convert the analog signal to digital signals. This is possible by the Modem. The Modem Convert the analog signal to the digital signal or demodulates the signals.

The conversion of the digital signal into the analog signal is called modulation and the conversion of the analog signal into a digital signal called demodulation. Suppose our computer is connected to the INTERNET through the Modem. In this case, when we send any data from our computer, the Modem converts the computer generated digital signal into the analog signal which will be transmitted through the wire.

When we receive any data in our computer then the Modem converts the analog signal into the digital data which will be read by our computer.

You may have a question that why we use the analog signal for transmission, not the digital signal. The answer is that the digital signal cannot be used for long transmission. For long transmission, we need to increase the magnitude of the digital signal but increasing the magnitude of the Digital signal is not an easy process and it is very cost effective. 

Types of Modem:

• Asynchronous Modem
• Synchronous Modem
• Half-Duplex
• Full-Duplex

Old Modems are usually connected through wires. Nowadays the wireless modem comes in the market. The wireless modem does communication through the radio wave.

What actually a Router Does

Now your computer is connected to the internet through the modem. You can easily access the internet on that computer. Suppose you have more than one computer, so how you can access the internet in both computers. This is possible by the Router.

The term "Router" comes from from the word "Route". The Router creates different routes to connect more than one computers. So, the Router is a network distribution device.

The Router creates no. of IP address for connecting no. of computers. So, at first, the wire which comes from the broadband operator is to be connected to the Modem then the output of the modem is to be connected to the Router input. And then we can connect no. of computers to the Router according to its capacity.

Thus this total system converts and distributed the signals.

A general low price Router has the capacity of the connection of computer is 10. This router can generate 10 different IP address for different computers.

Now in this system when we send data from our computer, first the data goes to the router from the computer and then it goes to the Modem. Then the Modem converts the digital signal into the analog signal for transmission.

When we receive any data in our computer at first, the data comes into the modem and the modem converts the analog signal into digital signal then it sends to the router. The router reads the data and sends to the computer according to the IP address.

So IP address is very important to find the computer to whom the data is to send and receive.

The old routers had only the Ethernet ports to connect the computers. But nowadays wireless router comes in the market. The wireless routers use Wi-Fi technology. You can connect your smartphones also to these routers through Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

So there is a big difference between the Modem and the Router. When you want to use one computer then you can use the only modem you do not need the router but if you want to use more than one computers then you must buy the Router. Nowadays there are many Modems are available in the market which contains Router also.