
Almost all telecommunications or IT facilities, big or small, need to access the Internet. Considering the internet’s importance today, this would almost never happen. The only time data centers don’t need a modem is if the network never has to exit to the Internet or another network through a different cable medium. You will also need a router in order to get a WiFi connection, which most businesses and homes have. Large scale facilities can have hundreds of routers, and multiple modems. Most data centers will need to have at least one router and one modem. To learn more about modems vs routers, you can check out this comprehensive guide on the main differences and how they both help you save money on your internet bill. Data that enters a router and is either sent through ethernet ports or WiFi to devices demanding data.Today, you will often find modems and routers in one physical device. Routers pass through internet brought from the Modem and use it to connect various devices across a specific network. There are also cable modems, fiber optic modems, and more.Ī router, on the other hand, is part of the network layer (layer 3) and passes data between various devices. The old modems that made the high-pitched noises, for example, were specifically for connecting to telephone lines. There are different types of modems based on the type of Internet service or network that it’s connected with.

Thus, modems can communicate across multiple networks. This device essentially brings the Internet to a home network or facility’s network. The fact is, however, they play two very distinct roles in a network.Ī modem is part of the data link layer (layer 2) and connects an internal network to the external Internet. Modems and routers typically each have Ethernet ports as well, unless they are wireless. People often times confused modems and routers for one another because they sit next to each other in home environments. Whether you are putting together a home network, or managing a major data center, it’s important to understand the role each piece of network equipment plays.

Many different types of network equipment exist to help ensure computer systems can communicate efficiently and without issues. This article will go through the difference between each, and how they can be incorporated into any environment. The most common types of networking equipment are routers, modems, and switches.
