Verified Stores, Best Deals

Differences between Routers and Modems

Man people use the terms router and modem, but what are they? And what are the differences between them? What are their functions?

Routers and Modems are one the computers main accessories.

Created Date:


Related products
Huawei MateBook X Pro 2022 MRGF-W7611T1 Laptop, 14.2-inch Blue Ink Screen - Intel® Core™ i12-7P
Huawei MateBook X Pro 2022 MRGF-W7611T1 Laptop, 14...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
8,091.52 BHD
HUAWEI MateBook X Pro Laptop with Intel Core i10-7U Processor, NVIDIA GeForce MX10510 Graphics, 16GB LPDDR3 RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD Storage - Grey
HUAWEI MateBook X Pro Laptop with Intel Core i10-7...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
7,048.27 BHD
HUAWEI MateBook X Pro 10th Gen Laptop with Intel Core i10-7U Processor and NVIDIA GeForce MX10510 Graphics
HUAWEI MateBook X Pro 10th Gen Laptop with Intel C...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
7,048.27 BHD
Huawei MateBook 14s HookeD-W7651T Space Gray Laptop
Huawei MateBook 14s HookeD-W7651T Space Gray Lapto...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
5,771.02 BHD
Huawei MateBook 13-inch Core i7, 16GB, 512GB SSD, Green
Huawei MateBook 13-inch Core i7, 16GB, 512GB SSD, ...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
5,673.52 BHD
Huawei MateBook D14 i7 2023 (MDG-W7611) Silver Mystical 14"
Huawei MateBook D14 i7 2023 (MDG-W7611) Silver Mys...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
3,996.52 BHD
Huawei MateBook D 15 2021, Core i5, 15.6", 512GB SSD, Space Grey, Buy Online at Best Prices
Huawei MateBook D 15 2021, Core i5, 15.6", 512GB S...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
3,676.12 BHD
Huawei Matebook 14 2021 KelvinD-WFH9A Touchscreen Laptop 14" Gray Astro
Huawei Matebook 14 2021 KelvinD-WFH9A Touchscreen ...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
3,509.02 BHD
Huawei Matebook D14 i5 2021 Laptop in Silver, 14-inch Screen
Huawei Matebook D14 i5 2021 Laptop in Silver, 14-i...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
3,489.52 BHD
Powerology Smart Android TV 32-inch - White
Powerology Smart Android TV 32-inch - White
Shop prices Sold In one shop
3,332.3 BHD
Gaming PC 5090 - Ultra 9 V5 with Intel Core 9 CPU and MSI RTX 5090 32GB GPU
Gaming PC 5090 - Ultra 9 V5 with Intel Core 9 CPU ...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
2,726.36 BHD
Apple MacBook Pro 2019، 16 Inch, Core i9, 32/2TB Memory, Radeon Pro 5500M, Gray
Apple MacBook Pro 2019، 16 Inch, Core i9, 32/2TB M...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
1,548 BHD
Apple MacBook Pro 2019، 16 Inch, Core i9, 32/1TB Memory, Radeon Pro 5500M, Gray
Apple MacBook Pro 2019، 16 Inch, Core i9, 32/1TB M...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
1,509 BHD
MSI RTX 3090 Graphics Card, Gaming X Model, 24GB Memory, 3 Fans
MSI RTX 3090 Graphics Card, Gaming X Model, 24GB M...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
1,387 BHD
Dell Server PowerEdge, Xeon Silver 4214, 16GB RAM, 4TB HDD
Dell Server PowerEdge, Xeon Silver 4214, 16GB RAM,...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
1,185 BHD
Custom Built PC 103 Ultra 7 - 5070 Ti
Custom Built PC 103 Ultra 7 - 5070 Ti
Shop prices Sold In one shop
1,090 BHD
HP DesignJet T1700 Printer, Colored, Up to 44 Inch Printing, Black
HP DesignJet T1700 Printer, Colored, Up to 44 Inch...
Shop prices Sold In two stores
1,084 - 1,143 BHD
Apple MacBook Pro 2019، 16 Inch, Core i9, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Radeon Pro 5500M, Space Gray
Apple MacBook Pro 2019، 16 Inch, Core i9, 16GB RAM...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
1,033 BHD
Apple MacBook Pro 2019، 16 Inch, Core i9, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Radeon Pro 5500M, Silver
Apple MacBook Pro 2019، 16 Inch, Core i9, 16GB RAM...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
1,001 BHD
Apple MacBook Pro 2020, 13.3 Inch, M1 Processor, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Space Gray
Apple MacBook Pro 2020, 13.3 Inch, M1 Processor, 1...
Shop prices Sold In one shop
883 BHD

Modems and routers are considered one of the most important computer accessories especially for internet connectivity. There is no doubt that there are differences between the two devices, but service providers companies are now offering devices that combines the functions of modems and routers together.

It is wrong to presume that modems and routers are devices performing the same tasks as they are two completely separate devices; each with its own functions and tasks. If you use the internet, then you will need a modem and a router, but what are the main functions of these devices?

In the late 1990’s, internet started playing a huge part of our daily life, and companies providing internet tries their best to supply users with the best services, and so modems and routers were created! These devices have improved greatly over the course of the past ten years: since being connected to the internet required connecting the modem inside the computer directly to the landline, and all the way to reaching unique technologies like wireless connection through a sim card.

Modem

 `

The modem is a device connecting you to the service provider that supplies you with internet connection. Modems can be divided into two types: the first is the cable model which is connected by cable to the internet service provider. This type is widely used in Europe and America, but is still entering the Arab market (most internet connectivity in the region requires a landline).

The second type of modems is the DSL and this modem connects you to the internet through a landline.

Despite the different types, modems are the devices that connect you to the internet regardless of how the service is provided: cable, landline, satellite, or fiber. The modem receives the signal or service from the internet provider company and converts it to be used on a computer. The modem can be connected to a router to wirelessly distribute the signal.

To summarize, a modem connects you to the internet by converting digital signals to analog signals and vice versa. A Digital signal is the language used in computers, while the analog signals are the ones transmitted through phones to exchange data and information with the computer, the internet, and other computers.

Once you send something from your computer to another one through the internet, the modem converts the data you are sending from digital signals to analog, sends it through the telephone line to the another computer, which its modem converts the signal from analog to digital and sends the information to the computer to be displayed in a comprehensive way, and so on.

Router

 router-1

Unlike modems, routers are responsible for distributing internet signals received by the modem to more than one device within a certain geographic rage, wirelessly. It can also be used to create a small local network between devices connected to it within the same geographic range the router covers.

So, routers cannot connect devices to the internet through it, but it distributes internet signals from modems to various devices (smartphones, tablets, computers, laptops, smart televisions, etc…) and creates local networks for a small number of devices.

We must point that routers can also link two or more networks together, and it is sometimes referred to as wireless distributors.

Nowadays, service providers are supplying their users with a device that combines the functions of a modem and a router together. You can check a guide we wrote before on how to select a router in our guides section to know the most important specifications you need to check before purchasing a router.

Summary

 At first, the normal user may not see the difference between a modem and a router. But explaining the functions of each is enough to clarify the main differences between the two devices, which strictly rely on their functions and tasks.

The most important things you need to remember are: modem connects the device to the internet and it converts digital signals to analog and vice versa. A router is a device used to distribute the internet signal coming from the modem to devices connected to it within a certain geographic range, but it does not connect the device to the internet directly. Meaning: internet connection requires a modem and not a router, but distributing internet signals coming from the internet around the house requires a router.

Remember that most new routers have a built in modem, but that is not a certain thing and you need to check the product before making a purchase.

Finally, remember that Labeb is your gateway to the Tech world and so stay connected to Labeb.com for all the new information!

Be smart before making a purchase.

  • [[PropertyDescription]] [[PropertyValue]]