The term internet is always linked to the terms router and modem (modulator/demodulator). But most of the people generally get confused, are both router and modem the same? Do they perform the same task? If not, how are they different from each other?
因此，为了解决人们的这种困境，在本文中，您将了解调制解调器、路由器、它们的工作原理以及两者之间的主要区别。
路由器和调制解调器有什么区别？(What is the Difference Between a Router and a Modem?)
是的，调制解调器和路由器之间是有区别的，而且非常简单。调制解调器是连接到互联网的一种，路由器是将您的设备连接到 Wi-Fi 的一种，以便您可以轻松访问互联网。(A modem is one that connects to the internet and a router is one that connects your device to the Wi-Fi so that you can access the internet easily.)简而言之，路由器在您家中的计算机和其他可用设备之间创建一个网络，而调制解调器则将该网络连接到该网络，从而将您的计算机和其他设备连接到互联网。两者都是您家中或任何其他地方无线和有线互联网访问的必要组件。现在，让我们了解有关调制解调器的更多信息。
调制解调器(Modem)
调制解调器一词代表modulator/demodulator。调制解调器是一种硬件设备或程序(device or program)，它在传输介质之间转换数据，以便可以将数据从一个设备传输到任何其他设备。它允许计算机使用模拟信号通过电话线、电缆线等发送数据。数据以数字方式存储在计算机等设备中，但在传输时，它们以模拟波或信号的形式传输。
调制解调器将计算机中存在的数字数据(data present)转换为调制电信号，以便通过电缆线在设备上传输，并且该电信号在接收器侧由调制解调器解调(Modem)，以便它可以恢复数字数据。
调制解调器如何工作？ (How does a Modem work? )
调制解调器通常在其前面有lights/LEDs，以便您可以轻松查看当前正在发生的事情。
基本上，调制解调器前面有四个灯/LED，用于不同的用途。
- 一盏灯表示设备正在通电。
- 另一个指示灯表示调制解调器正在接收来自Internet 服务提供商(internet service provider)( ISP ) 的数据。
- 第三个表示调制解调器正在成功发送数据。
- 第四个表示连接的设备正在访问 i
因此，通过查看哪个 LED 或指示灯在工作或闪烁，(seeing which LED or light is working or blinking,)您可以轻松了解调制解调器当前正在做什么或其中正在发生什么。如果发送或接收指示灯闪烁，则表示您的互联网服务提供商(internet service provider)存在问题，您需要咨询他们。
调制解调器将互联网源从ISP连接到您的家中或您想要使用Comcast、光纤、卫星或任何拨号电话连接(phone connection)等电缆访问互联网设备的其他地方。不同的服务有不同类型的调制解调器，您不能互换它们。
为了在有电话线但不支持有线电视和互联网服务(TV and internet services)的农村地区访问互联网，使用DSL代替通常较慢的现代电缆。
调制解调器的优点和缺点(Pros and cons of a Modem)
优点(Pros)
- 它连接到ISP。
- ISP 兼容性
- 它将数字信号转换为模拟信号，以便通过电缆传输。
缺点(Cons)
- 它无法创建本地网络并运行Wi-Fi。
- 它不会将多个设备连接到互联网。
另请阅读：(Also Read:)什么是设备驱动程序？
路由器(Router)
路由器是在计算机网络之间传输数据包(transfers data packets between computer networks)的网络设备。基本上(Basically)，路由器是一个连接两个或多个网络（如互联网和本地网络）的小盒子。互联网发送的数据(data sent)，如电子邮件或任何网页，都是数据包的形式。然后这些数据包通过互联网从一个路由器传输到另一个路由器，直到到达目的地。当数据包(data packet)到达这些线路中的任何一条时，路由器会读取该数据包的目标地址并将其(destination address)转发(data packet and forwards)到下一个网络以到达其目的地。
最熟悉的路由器类型是家庭路由器或办公室路由器。路由器是独立设备。路由器有一个专用的、颜色编码的以太网端口(Ethernet port)，用于物理连接到路由器，如WAN（广域网）(WAN (wide area network))和四个用于LAN（局域网）的附加(area network)以太网(Ethernet)端口。
路由器如何工作？(How does a Router work?)
路由器有各种尺寸和价格。无线天线包括两个或更多外部天线，具体取决于型号。此外，路由器的连接速度(connection speed)取决于路由器的接近程度。
路由器的工作非常简单。它连接多个网络并在它们之间路由网络流量(network traffic)。要简单地理解路由器的工作原理，只需将路由器想象为Internet 连接(internet connection)和本地网络之间的中介。路由器还为您的设备提供保护，使它们不会直接暴露在互联网上。您不能仅使用路由器直接连接到 Internet。相反，您的路由器必须与调制解调器一起使用，因为它通过(Modem)互联网连接(internet connection)传输流量。
路由器的优缺点(Pros and cons of a Router)
优点(Pros)
- 同时连接多个设备
- 安全性和适应性
-
VPN 利用率
- 无线技术
- 可移植性
缺点(Cons)
调制解调器和路由器之间的区别(Difference between a Modem and a Router )
以下是调制解调器和路由器之间的区别。
一、功能(1. Function )
调制解调器就像互联网和本地网络之间的翻译器。调制解调器将电信号调制为数字信号并将数字信号解调为模拟信号，而路由器则创建网络并允许多个设备连接到该网络。
如果您只有一台设备，则不需要任何路由器。调制解调器具有以太网端口(Ethernet port)，计算机或任何其他设备可以直接连接到该以太网端口并访问(Ethernet port and access)互联网。但是如果您有多个设备，那么您可以使用路由器创建的网络连接到互联网，然后可以连接到互联网。
2. 连接(2. Connections )
调制解调器只有一个端口，一次只能连接一个设备，即(time i.e)连接到计算机或路由器。因此，如果您有多个设备，则无法使用调制解调器将它们全部连接起来。这就是为什么需要路由器的原因。
相反，路由器可以通过以太网(Ethernet)电缆或Wi-Fi一次连接到多个设备。
3. 安全(3. Security )
Modem没有内置的安全机制(security mechanism)，它不会扫描数据以查找任何安全漏洞(security vulnerability)。因此，它可以将威胁传递给所有连接的计算机。
而路由器包含适当的防火墙以提供安全性。它会正确检查数据包以确定其目的地，然后防止任何攻击进入连接的设备。
4.独立(4. Independent )
调制解调器可以在没有任何路由器的情况下工作，并且可以为单个设备提供互联网连接。
另一方面，路由器可以在多个设备之间共享信息(share information)，但如果没有调制解调器，则无法为这些设备提供互联网。
5.设备类型和层(5. Device type and layer)
调制解调器是一种基于互联网的工作设备(working device)，它使用第二层，即(layer i.e). 数据链路(data link layer)层。
路由器是使用第三层即网络层(network layer)的网络设备。
什么时候需要调制解调器或路由器？(When do you need a modem or a Router?)
要建立家庭网络，调制解调器和路由器都是必需的。(To set up a home network, both the modem and router are required.)如果您使用电线将单个设备连接到互联网，则只需要一个调制解调器，而没有这种情况可以只使用路由器。您将始终需要将调制解调器(Modem)与路由器(Router)结合使用，以解码来自您的互联网服务提供商(internet service provider)( ISP ) 的信号。
如果您已经在使用调制解调器，但没有从ISP获得所需的速度，那么您可以使用路由器来加速您的网络。它具有带宽限制，并将信号循环到所有连接的设备。基本上，您的路由器所做的是创建无线连接并管理您的 Wi-Fi（互联网(Internet)）。
因此，这完全是关于调制解调器和路由器以及两者之间的一些差异。
参考：(References:)
What is the Difference Between a Router and a Modem?
The term internet is always linked to the terms router and modem (modulator/demodulator). But most of the people generally get confused, are both router and modem the same? Do they perform the same task? If not, how are they different from each other?
So, to resolve this dilemma of people, in this article, you will learn about a modem, a router, their working, and major differences between the two.
What is the Difference Between a Router and a Modem?
Yes, there is a difference between a modem and a router and it is very simple. A modem is one that connects to the internet and a router is one that connects your device to the Wi-Fi so that you can access the internet easily. In short, a router creates a network between the computers and other devices available in your home while a modem connects that network and thus, your computers and other devices to the internet. Both are necessary components for wireless and wired internet access in your home or at any other place. Now, let’s learn more about a modem.
Modem
The term modem stands for modulator/demodulator. A modem is a hardware device or program that converts the data between the transmission media so that it can be transmitted from one device to any other device. It allows a computer to send the data over the telephone lines, cable lines etc. using analog signals. The data is stored in devices like computers digitally, but when transferred, they are transferred in the form of analog waves or signals.
A modem converts the digital data present in a computer into a modulated electrical signal for the transmission over devices through cable lines and this electrical signal is demodulated at the receiver side by a Modem so that it can recover the digital data.
How does a Modem work?
A modem usually has lights/LEDs at their front so that you can easily see what is going on at the moment.
Basically, there are four lights/LEDs available at the front of a modem serving different purposes.
- One light indicates that the unit is receiving power.
- Another light indicates that the modem is receiving data from the internet service provider (ISP).
- The third one indicates that the modem is successfully sending data.
- The fourth one indicates that the connected devices are accessing the i
So, by seeing which LED or light is working or blinking, you can easily see what your modem is currently doing or what is currently going inside it. If the sending or receiving lights are blinking, it means that your internet service provider is having some issues and you need to consult them.
A modem connects the source of the internet from the ISP to your home or other places where you want to access the internet devices using cables like Comcast, fiber optics, satellite or any dial-up phone connection. Different services have different types of modems and you cannot interchange them.
To access the internet in rural areas where telephones lines exist but there is no support for cable-based TV and internet services, DSL is used instead of the modern cables which are typically slower.
Pros and cons of a Modem
Pros
- It connects to an ISP.
- ISP Compatibility
- It converts a digital signal into an analog signal for the transmission over a cable.
Cons
- It cannot create a local network and run Wi-Fi.
- It doesn’t connect multiple devices to the internet.
Also Read: What is a Device Driver?
Router
A router is a networking device that transfers data packets between computer networks. Basically, a router is a small box that joins two or more networks like the internet and the local network. The data sent by the internet like an email or any web page is in the form of packets. These packets are then transferred from one router to another router through the internet until it reaches the destination. When a data packet reaches any of these lines, the router reads the destination address of that data packet and forwards it to the next network towards its destination.
The most familiar type of routers are home routers or office routers. The routers are stand-alone devices. Routers have a dedicated, colour-coded Ethernet port that it uses to physically connect to the router like WAN (wide area network) and four additional Ethernet ports for LAN (local area network).
How does a Router work?
The router comes in all sizes and prices. The wireless ones include two external antennas or more depending on the model. Also, the connection speed of the router depends on the proximity of the router.
The working of the router is very simple. It connects multiple networks and routes network traffic between them. To understand the working of a router in simple words, just imagine a router as an intermediary between the internet connection and the local network. The router also offers protection to your devices so that they do not get exposed directly to the internet. You cannot directly connect to the internet using just a router. Instead, your router must be used in conjunction with a Modem as it transmits the traffic over the internet connection.
Pros and cons of a Router
Pros
- Simultaneous connection to several devices
- Security and Adaptability
-
VPN utilization
- Wireless Technology
- Portability
Cons
- Data Overhead
- Complicated Setup
- Expensive
Difference between a Modem and a Router
Below are the differences between a modem and a router.
1. Function
A modem is like a translator between the internet and the local network. A modem modulates the electrical signal into a digital signal and demodulates the digital signal into an analog signal while a router creates a network and allows multiple devices to connect to this network.
If you have only one device, then you do not need any router. A modem has an Ethernet port and a computer or any other device can connect directly to this Ethernet port and access the internet. But if you have multiple devices, then you can connect to the internet using the network created by a router and then can connect to the internet.
2. Connections
A modem has only one port and can connect to only a single device at a time i.e either to a computer or a router. So, if you have multiple devices, you cannot connect them all using a modem. That is why a router is required.
On the contrary, a router can connect to multiple devices at a time either through the Ethernet cables or the Wi-Fi.
3. Security
There is no in-built security mechanism in Modem and it does not scan the data for any security vulnerability. So, it can pass threats to all the computers connected.
While a router contains proper firewalls to provide security. It properly checks the data packets to determine their destination and then prevents any attacks from entering into the connected devices.
4. Independent
A modem can work without any router and can provide internet connectivity to a single device.
On the other hand, a router can share information between multiple devices but cannot provide internet to these devices without a modem.
5. Device type and layer
A modem is an internet-based working device which uses the second layer i.e. the data link layer.
A router is a networking device that uses the third-layer i.e. the network layer.
When do you need a modem or a Router?
To set up a home network, both the modem and router are required. If you are connecting a single device to the internet with a wire, you only need a modem while there is no such case where you can use just a router. You will always need to use a Modem in conjunction with a Router in order to decode the signal from your internet service provider (ISP).
If you’re already using a modem but not getting the desired speed from the ISP then you can use a Router to speed up your network. It has bandwidth limits and it circulates the signal to all the connected devices. Basically, what your router does is that it creates a Wireless connection and manages your Wi-Fi (Internet).
Hence, this is all about a modem and a router along with some differences between the two.
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