Modem, Routers, and Gateways, Oh My!
By: Darren Chu
In today's world, your modem is arguably one of the most essential devices in your home. Without it, your laptop, your smart TV, and other connected devices couldn’t function. Figuratively speaking, it is your gateway to the Internet (a literal gateway is different, more on that later).
At Q Wave, customers often ask us, "What's the difference between a modem and a modem-router combo?" Usually followed by, "How do I know which one I'll need?" Let's dive in and take a look at each type of hardware.
But a modem will only do so much. Most modems have a port for the incoming coaxial cable or phone jack, and maybe one or two LAN ports for ethernet cables. LAN stands for Local Area Network, which basically describes your home network. Your home network consists of anything connected to the Internet, like a desktop or laptop computer.
If you have a standalone modem, your computer must be connected directly to it by an ethernet cable (ethernet cables are like phone cables, but are thicker and have a wider head). Any other devices requiring Internet access would also need to be plugged in directly to the modem. Herein lies the limitation to modems: all devices must be close to the modem so they can be plugged in.
This broadcast signal becomes your WiFi network, which you can give all manner of hilarious names (try searching WiFi networks on your cellphone in a residential neighbourhood, and you'll see what we mean). You can, and should, give your network a password so that others can't steal your WiFi signal, or worse, hack your devices.
Routers come in many shapes and sizes; some have more antennas, some have few. Some are single-band, and some are dual-band. Some are cheap, and some are VERY expensive. Your specific needs will dictate which type you need. But if you want to simplify this process, a modem-router combo is the way to go.
As technology evolves, modem-router combos are starting to incorporate many of the features you'd want from a router. They're dual-band, they support the speeds offered by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), and they have pretty decent range. Best of all, they're not overly expensive.
Which brings us back to our original questions: What's the difference between these devices, and which one will I need? Let's summarize, shall we?
WiFi extenders, sometimes referred to as boosters or repeaters, take your existing WiFi signal and rebroadcast it like a digital relay. You simply place one midway between your router and the dead spot, and voila: the dead spot is no more!
There are a variety of extenders out there on the market. A quick search on Amazon or Google will yield hundreds of results, many of which will work to varying degrees of success. Depending on your particular WiFi situation at home, you don't need to spend a lot on extenders. If your home network is proving to be more troublesome, it might be worth investing in a mesh network, but that's a story for another day.
When you sign up with Q Wave, our Customer Care team will also provision your hardware with an easy-to-use network name and password, no more random strings of numbers and letters that you'll never remember. Once you receive your device, installation is as easy as plugging it in.
Still not sure what to do? Contact our friendly, local Customer Care team, and they would be happy to assist you.
At Q Wave, customers often ask us, "What's the difference between a modem and a modem-router combo?" Usually followed by, "How do I know which one I'll need?" Let's dive in and take a look at each type of hardware.
Bringing the Internet to You
The word 'modem' is a portmanteau of "modulator-demodulator," which is a fancy way of saying it translates signals. For example, a DSL modem takes signals that travel over copper phone lines and then converts it into a digital signal that your computer can understand. From your perspective, as a customer, it's the device that brings the Internet into your home.But a modem will only do so much. Most modems have a port for the incoming coaxial cable or phone jack, and maybe one or two LAN ports for ethernet cables. LAN stands for Local Area Network, which basically describes your home network. Your home network consists of anything connected to the Internet, like a desktop or laptop computer.
If you have a standalone modem, your computer must be connected directly to it by an ethernet cable (ethernet cables are like phone cables, but are thicker and have a wider head). Any other devices requiring Internet access would also need to be plugged in directly to the modem. Herein lies the limitation to modems: all devices must be close to the modem so they can be plugged in.
Wireless = Freedom
There's a good chance that you want Internet access in your home without needing to be plugged in *cough cough cell phones cough cough*. Enter the wireless router. A router takes the signal from your modem and broadcasts it across a given area, enabling all devices within range to be wirelessly connected.This broadcast signal becomes your WiFi network, which you can give all manner of hilarious names (try searching WiFi networks on your cellphone in a residential neighbourhood, and you'll see what we mean). You can, and should, give your network a password so that others can't steal your WiFi signal, or worse, hack your devices.
Routers come in many shapes and sizes; some have more antennas, some have few. Some are single-band, and some are dual-band. Some are cheap, and some are VERY expensive. Your specific needs will dictate which type you need. But if you want to simplify this process, a modem-router combo is the way to go.
Everyone Loves a Combo
A modem-router combo, also called a gateway, is a device that combines the functionality of both modems and routers into a single piece of hardware. These tend to be fairly compact, easy to set up, and reduce the amount of device clutter (and cable clutter). If you read our previous blog on getting the most out of your home WiFi, you already know that your potentially ugly (and cable-laden) router should be out in the open.As technology evolves, modem-router combos are starting to incorporate many of the features you'd want from a router. They're dual-band, they support the speeds offered by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), and they have pretty decent range. Best of all, they're not overly expensive.
Which brings us back to our original questions: What's the difference between these devices, and which one will I need? Let's summarize, shall we?
- Modems connect your home to the Internet.
- Routers give you a WiFi network.
- Modem-router combos do both.
- Do you need WiFi? If no, a modem will do. If yes, you'll want a router or modem-router combo.
Extending Your Reach
In your search for better hardware, you may come up against those pesky WiFi dead spots. These are locations in your home where the WiFi signal is either not strong enough or absent altogether. In this case, you're looking for an extender.WiFi extenders, sometimes referred to as boosters or repeaters, take your existing WiFi signal and rebroadcast it like a digital relay. You simply place one midway between your router and the dead spot, and voila: the dead spot is no more!
The Q Wave Choice
All Q Wave customers have the option to rent or purchase their hardware. Whether you're on cable or DSL, we have a device that will meet your needs. You can rent a modem for as low as $7 a month, and modem-router combos can be rented for as little as $8.50 a month.When you sign up with Q Wave, our Customer Care team will also provision your hardware with an easy-to-use network name and password, no more random strings of numbers and letters that you'll never remember. Once you receive your device, installation is as easy as plugging it in.
Still not sure what to do? Contact our friendly, local Customer Care team, and they would be happy to assist you.