当您注册新的互联网服务时，可能会为您提供调制解调器和路由器或同时完成这两项工作的设备。你真的需要调制解调器和(and )路由器才能使用互联网吗？是时候澄清一些误解了。
澄清“调制解调器”的含义
“调制解调器”一词是调制器/解调器的缩写。它指的是一种用于拨号上网(dial-up internet)的设备，其中数据通过语音通话使用的同一条铜线电话线发送。
调制解调器采用表示通过 Internet 发送的数据包的 1 和 0，并通过铜线将它们转换为声音频率。它也做相反的事情，收听来自互联网的声音并将它们转换回二进制代码。
与DSL(DSL) 、光纤、电缆和移动数据一起使用的现代调制解调器并不是该术语最初意义上的调制解调器。然而，它们的共同点是将来自计算机的数字数据转换为传输系统的格式——例如，将电脉冲转换为光纤中使用的光脉冲。
您应该知道的最重要的事情是调制解调器是将您连接到更大互联网的设备。它是从您的家庭LAN（局域网(Local Area Network)）到WAN（广域网(Wide Area Network)）的过渡点。
什么是“路由器”？
网络(Network)数据通过调制解调器进出您的家庭或企业。尽管如此，它仍然是一个路由器，可以组织到每个单独设备的网络流量，包括内部网络上的彼此之间以及这些设备与互联网之间的网络流量。
路由器的工作很复杂，这些设备基本上都是专用的计算机，有自己的CPU、内存和操作系统。您可以将网络交换机、PC、智能手机和任何其他 Wi-Fi 或以太网(Ethernet)设备连接到路由器，它会确定将每个数据包发送到哪里。路由器，至少更昂贵的路由器，也可以运行网络应用程序。例如，它可以充当VPN设备或管理网络附加存储。
大多数路由器提供至少四个以太网(Ethernet)端口和Wi-Fi，能够连接和管理数十甚至数百台设备。除非您实际上只有一台设备要通过调制解调器连接到互联网，否则您将需要某种类型的路由器。
纤维与。DSL 对比 电缆与。蜂窝调制解调器(Fiber Vs. DSL Vs. Cable Vs. Cellular Modems)
尽管许多设备共享“调制解调器”标签，但它们不可互换。大多数家庭宽带调制解调器在您的连接端都有一个以太网(Ethernet)端口，但它们在互联网方面完全不同。 光纤(Fiber)调制解调器连接到光纤连接，DSL连接到铜电话线，电缆调制解调器连接到同轴电视电缆，蜂窝调制解调器使用微波无线电信号。
因此，在这种情况下，“我需要调制解调器吗？”的答案。如果您要从一种类型的连接转移到另一种类型的连接，则为“是”。例如，您的旧DSL调制解调器不适用于光纤或电缆连接。
有时调制解调器已经(Modem Is Already)在那里
如果您搬进有“光纤”连接的公寓楼或家中，您可能会发现一个普通的旧以太网(Ethernet)端口，您可以将任何带有以太网“WAN”端口的路由器连接到该端口。换句话说，您不需要购买调制解调器，因为已经安装了一个。
在光纤的情况下尤其如此。人们将“光纤调制解调器”视为连接到ONT(ONTs)（光网络终端(Optical Network Terminals)）的以太网路由器。那是将以太网(Ethernet)电信号转换为光脉冲的设备。
因此，光纤(Fiber)路由器只是普通路由器，但它们通常支持更快的以太网(Ethernet)标准。毕竟，如果您有千兆光纤但连接的路由器仅支持 100Mbps 以太网，您将失去 90% 的互联网连接全速！
如果有一台设备只有一个或两个以太网(Ethernet)端口而没有Wi-Fi，那么您可能正在寻找一个可以连接路由器以扩展其功能的调制解调器。
一体(Cons)机(All-In-One)设备的优缺点(Pros)_ _
如果您的连接类型需要调制解调器，因为它未包含在ISP计划中或尚未安装，您可以购买包含适用于您的宽带类型的调制解调器以及以太网(Ethernet)和Wi-Fi路由器的组合设备。
如果您还没有调制解调器，则只需要这样的一体机，但如果您确实需要调制解调器，那么使用一台可以完成所有工作的设备有一些优点（和缺点）。
在等式的积极方面：
- 它通常比两个单独的设备便宜。
- 您只需处理一个统一的设置过程。
- 由于涉及的单独设备较少，因此故障排除更容易。
在等式的不太积极的一面：
- 如果设备出现故障，则您没有互联网。使用单独的调制解调器，您仍然可以在紧要关头连接至少一个设备。
- 设备的路由器部分可能不太好、不稳定，或者不支持网络存储或VPN(VPNs)等高级功能。
使用组合设备的另一个主要问题与Wi-Fi占用空间有关。如今，大多数用户都希望Wi-Fi覆盖他们的整个家，除非你住在一个小公寓里，否则单个路由器可能不会切断它，这就是你可能想要拥有单独的调制解调器和路由器的原因之一。
从您的 ISP 租用多合一设备
许多ISP(ISPs)提供了一种一体式设备，其中包含路由器和调制解调器，用于特定类型的连接。如果您买不起自己的解决方案，而且它并不代表您每月租金的显着额外成本，那么使用这些设备一段时间也没有什么坏处。
但是，ISP(ISPs)倾向于将最便宜的设备与他们的服务捆绑在一起。如果它是现成的路由器，您可以阅读有关它的评论，但有时这些设备会被修改和重新命名，因此很难知道它们是否好用。
此外，请注意，某些ISP(ISPs)允许您在还清路由器后保留路由器，而其他 ISP 仅提供纯租赁服务，这意味着您必须在结束订阅时归还设备。一般来说，如果可以的话，最好选择先租后买选项。
使用带有单独路由器的调制解调器(Modem)
无论您已经拥有调制解调器但仍需要路由器，还是需要同时购买这两种物品，将两者分开都有明显的优势。
一方面，您可以将预算集中在路由器解决方案上，只需购买一个基本的调制解调器。只要调制解调器以您的连接提供的速度运行，在这些设备中确实没有什么可寻找的。
如果您有一个大房子并且想要在周围传播Wi-Fi，您可以使用网状Wi-Fi路由器。这些是首选解决方案，但您也可以使用电力线以太网和Wi-Fi扩展器。如果您使用单个路由器，则可以选择使用Wi-Fi中继器，但这些中继器会带来严重的速度和延迟损失，我们现在不推荐使用它们。
您还可以选择连接其他接入点（或设置为接入点模式的旧路由器）以在不影响速度的情况下扩展您的网络覆盖范围。如果您想与网状路由器解决方案相比节省资金，或者橱柜中已有一些旧路由器，这是一个不错的选择。
总结一下
让我们总结一下最重要的几点：
- 严格来说，您只需要一个调制解调器即可连接到互联网。
- 调制解调器(Modems)通常只提供一个以太网(Ethernet)端口，不提供Wi-Fi。
- 您需要一个路由器将家中的所有设备连接到调制解调器。
- 您可以购买调制解调器和路由器组合设备，但它们会有所妥协。
- 网状网络路由器(Mesh network routers)或电力线扩展器(powerline extenders)优于 Wi-Fi 中继器，可以直接连接到调制解调器的以太网(Ethernet)端口。使其成为比大型家庭的组合调制解调器-路由器单元更好的选择。
现在您应该清楚地了解调制解调器和路由器所做的不同工作，满足您的需求，以及这些设备可以组合的不同方式。
Do You Need a Modem and a Router for Internet with a New ISP?
When you sign up fоr new internet ѕervice, you may be offered a modem and a router or one dеvіce that does both jobs. Do you really need to get a modem and a router to use the internet? It’s time to clear up a few misconceptions.
Clearing Up the Meaning of “Modem”
The word “modem” is short for modulator/demodulator. It refers to a device used for dial-up internet, where data is sent over the same copper telephone lines that voice calls use.
The modem takes the ones and zeroes that represent the data packets sent over the internet and turns them into sound frequencies over copper wire. It also does the reverse, listening to the sounds coming from the internet and turning them back into binary code.
Modern modems used with DSL, fiber, cable, and mobile data are not modems in the term’s original sense. However, what they do have in common is converting digital data from the computer into the format of the transmission system—for example, converting electrical impulses into the light pulses used in fiber optics.
The most important thing that you should know is that a modem is a device that connects you to the greater internet. It’s the transition point from your home LAN (Local Area Network) to the WAN (Wide Area Network).
What Is a “Router”?
Network data enters and leaves your home or business through the modem. Still, it’s a router that organizes the network traffic to each individual device, both between each other on the internal network and between those devices and the internet.
A router’s job is complicated, and these devices are basically dedicated computers with their own CPU, memory, and operating system. You can hook up network switches, PCs, smartphones, and any other Wi-Fi or Ethernet device to a router, and it will figure out where to send each packet. Routers, at least more expensive ones, can also run network applications. For example, it can act as a VPN device or manage network-attached storage.
Most routers offer at least four Ethernet ports and Wi-Fi, capable of connecting and managing dozens or even hundreds of devices. Unless you literally only have one device you want to connect to the internet through a modem, you’re going to want some type of router.
Fiber Vs. DSL Vs. Cable Vs. Cellular Modems
Although many devices share the label “modem,” they aren’t interchangeable. Most home broadband modems have an Ethernet port on your side of the connection, but they’re radically different on the internet side of things. Fiber modems connect to a fiber connection, DSL connects to copper telephone wire, cable modems connect to coaxial TV cables, and cellular modems use microwave radio signals.
So, in this context, the answer to “do I need a modem?” is “yes” if you’re moving from one type of connection to another. Your old DSL modem isn’t going to work with fiber or cable connections, for example.
Sometimes the Modem Is Already There
If you move into an apartment building or home where there’s a “fiber” connection, what you may find is a plain old Ethernet port, to which you can connect any router with an ethernet “WAN” port. In other words, you don’t need to buy a modem because there’s already one installed.
This is especially true in the case of fiber. People think of “fiber modems” as ethernet routers that connect to ONTs (Optical Network Terminals). That’s the device that converts Ethernet electrical signals to light pulses.
Fiber routers are therefore just regular routers, but they usually have support for faster Ethernet standards. After all, if you have gigabit fiber but connect a router that only supports 100Mbps ethernet, you’d lose 90% of your internet connection’s full speed!
If there’s a device with just one or two Ethernet ports and no Wi-Fi, you’re probably looking at a modem to which you can connect a router to expand its functionality.
The Pros and Cons of All-In-One Devices
If you need a modem for your connection type, since one isn’t included in the ISP plan or wasn’t already installed, you could buy a combo device containing both a modem for your broadband type and an Ethernet and Wi-Fi router.
You only need an all-in-one unit like this if you don’t already have a modem, but if you do need a modem, there are a few advantages (and disadvantages) to going for a single device that does everything.
On the positive side of the equation:
- It’s usually cheaper than two separate devices.
- You only have to deal with one unified setup process.
- Troubleshooting is easier since there are fewer separate devices involved.
On the not-so-positive side of the equation:
- If the device fails, you have no internet. With a separate modem, you could still hook up at least one device in a pinch.
- The router portion of the device may not be very good, stable, or support advanced functions such as network storage or VPNs.
Another major issue with using a combination device has to do with Wi-Fi footprint. These days most users want Wi-Fi to cover their entire home, and unless you live in a small apartment, a single router probably isn’t going to cut it, which is one reason you might want to have a separate modem and router.
Renting an All-In-One Device From Your ISP
Many ISPs offer an all-in-one device that contains both a router and a modem for your specific type of connection. If you can’t afford to buy your own solution and it doesn’t represent a significant extra cost to your monthly rental, there’s no harm in using these devices for a while.
However, ISPs tend to bundle the cheapest devices they can with their services. If it’s an off-the-shelf router, you can read reviews about it, but sometimes these devices are modified and rebranded, making it hard to know if they’re any good.
Also, be aware that some ISPs let you keep the router once it’s paid off, while others only offer a pure rental, which means you have to give the device back when you end your subscription. In general, it’s better to choose the rent-to-own option if it’s available.
Using a Modem With a Separate Router
Whether you’ve already got a modem and still need a router or you need to purchase both items, there are distinct advantages to separating the two.
For one thing, you can focus your budget on your router solution and simply buy a basic modem. As long as the modem runs at the speed your connection offers, there’s really not much to look for in these devices.
If you have a large home and want to spread the Wi-Fi around, you can use a mesh Wi-Fi router. These are the preferred solution, but you can use powerline ethernet and Wi-Fi extenders as well. If you use a single router, you have the option of using Wi-Fi repeaters, but these come with severe speed and latency penalties, and we can’t recommend them these days.
You also have the option of connecting additional access points (or an old router set to access point mode) to extend your network’s reach without speed compromises. This is a good option if you want to save money compared to a mesh router solution or already have a few old routers in the cupboard.
Summing It Up
Let’s sum it all up down to the most important points:
- Strictly speaking, you only need a modem to connect to the internet.
- Modems generally only offer a single Ethernet port and no Wi-Fi.
- You need a router to connect all the devices in your home to the modem.
- You can buy a modem and router combo device, but they have compromises.
- Mesh network routers or powerline extenders are superior to Wi-Fi repeaters and can be directly connected to a modem’s Ethernet port. Making this a better choice than a combination modem-router unit for large homes.
Now you should have a clear understanding of the different jobs modems and routers do, which you should have for your needs, and the different ways these devices can be combined.
