That is, however, not the case.ĭistinctions.

This forms a misconception that routers also perform modulation and demodulation by default and that the terms router and modem are interchangeable. However, since the routing function is more apparent to consumers, these devices are more often referred to as routers. Combination routers/modems bring together the functions of two individual devices to form a single network solution. delivering and dispatching data, consumers may sometimes mistake one for the other. The fact that both the modem and the router are on the same line of traffic, next to each other, and ultimately achieving the same goal, i.e. As data enters the premises, it is first processed by the modem, after which it travels to the router, where it is redirected to the appropriate end devices. Both devices are often found within the same network structure. People often confuse modems and routers for two reasons. All mail is processed through the post office. Mail can also be sent among citizens in the same district and to addresses outside of it. routed) to the citizens (end-devices) within that specific district (i.e.

the Internet), it is organized and forwarded (i.e. data packets) from all around the world (i.e. In simpler terms, a router is the post office of the computer networking world.

Devices connected to the LAN-wirelessly or using cables-can interact with or share data among each other and gain access to the Internet, if an Internet connection is available. A LAN is a computer network that interconnects multiple end devices within a small area, such as a home or office. Once set up and ready to go, a router creates a local area network (often abbreviated LAN). Routers are computer networking devices that serve two primary functions: create and maintain a local area network and manage the data entering and leaving the network and the data moving inside of it. It is the modem’s job to convert and revert the signals travelling from one local area network over the Internet’s infrastructure to another local area network. With the ice, the form changes, but the chemical composition does not-the same applies to data because its form changes, but the information contained within does not. Much like ice is melted in order to be transported over a pipe as water and then refrozen at the other end, computer data are converted from one form to another to be transferred over cables or wirelessly and then reverted back into their original form at the destination. Think of it this way: it is impossible (nor practical) to transport pure ice over pipes designed for water, but it is possible to melt the ice. Modulation and demodulation are processes whereby signals travelling between multiple networks are converted into different forms of signals appropriate for transmission over cables or other media. Since then, this term has been broadened to describe a variety of devices that perform modulation-demodulation (or encoding-decoding) in its most fundamental sense.

In the early days of networking, the term modem was used to describe a device that transformed speech into analog signals (and vice versa) to be transmitted over telephone lines. The name modem is a shorthand expression derived from the technical processes that the device performs, i.e.

Difference between modem and router