Routers and modems have traditionally been two separate devices that worked together to form your home network.

Remember that the modem is your network’s translator, while the router is more like an air-traffic controller, communicating with the “planes,” keeping order, and making sure everyone is safe.

Creates a firewall to prevent security breaches.

Assigns a local IP address to each device on the network.

You can choose to create a LAN without Internet access.

However, a router doesn’t need to connect to a modem to function. The router manages all the information going to and from each device and the modem and makes sure it all ends up safely in the right spot. The router creates a local area network (LAN) within your house, allowing your devices to share files and peripherals like printers. The router connects to your modem and then to your devices (laptops, smart TVs, printers, etc.) via either an Ethernet cable or, in the case of a wireless router, WiFi signal. Routers bring the Internet to your devicesĪ router connects your devices to each other and, in hard-wired connection setups, to the modem. Each modem has an assigned public IP address that identifies it on the Internet. The connection between your house and the Internet is known as a wide area network (WAN). The modem takes signals from your ISP and translates them into signals your local devices can use, and vice versa. Short take: what’s the difference between a modem and a router?Ī modem is a device that connects your home, usually through a coax cable connection, to your Internet service provider (ISP), like Xfinity. Knowing how the blinking boxes plugged into your wall work can help you to get the Internet up and running again the next time there’s a power outage or connection disruption. Can you tell the difference between a modem and router? Have you ever asked, 'do I need a modem and router?' To put it simply, the modem connects your home to the Internet, while a router creates the network inside your house. Most people use their home network to access the Internet, but many have no idea how these networks work.

Netgear modem vs router