Can't tell the difference between a router and a modem? This article will tell you

When we deploy a WiFi network at home, there are two essential devices, one is a wireless router, and the other is a modem or optical modem.

And the latter is indispensable (except for fiber-to-the-building users). It brings the Internet into users' homes. Only with it can our wireless router function and allow us to access the Internet normally using WiFi.

Only when these two devices work together can we watch videos, play games, video chat online... and bring us the beauty of the Internet.

Many users can't tell the difference between these two devices, today we will explain it to you!

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These two devices are indispensable for deploying a network at home

A modem or optical modem is an essential device for accessing the Internet and is generally provided by broadband operators.

Connect to the device via telephone line or optical fiber, and then use an Internet cable to connect the device to the wireless router.

my country is now vigorously popularizing fiber-optic broadband. Using modems to connect to telephone lines to access the Internet has been eliminated, and fiber-optic cables and optical modems have become the main force for Internet access.

In addition, if the user's residence is newly built in recent years, the operator will generally connect fiber optic cables to the building, and the user can enjoy high-speed broadband by connecting to the wireless router directly from the network port on the wall of the home.

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Wireless router is a must-have for every household

Let’s take a look at the wireless router, a device that I believe everyone is familiar with.

With the rapid rise of mobile devices, wireless routers have entered thousands of households and become a "standard appliance" in every home.

Without WiFi at home, there is simply no motivation to go home! In order to solve the WiFi signal problem at home, many users have chosen products such as wireless repeaters and powerline cats.

The recently popular wireless mesh network products are another good way to solve the wireless signal coverage in the home, and they are more powerful and simpler than traditional relay methods.

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Optical modems gradually replace modems

Some users may ask, why do we need two devices? Wouldn’t it be better to combine them into one?

That’s right, many operators now provide optical modems with wireless router functions when installing broadband for users.

This way, users only need one device to have both Internet access and WiFi transmission functions.

However, this type of product has low WiFi performance. If you are a router enthusiast, have many home access devices, or are a smart home user, it is better to purchase a mid-to-high-end wireless router that supports dual gigabit networks.

After all, this kind of product is only suitable for novice users, and it cannot perform well in watching videos on wireless intranet or transmitting data via NAS.