DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Difference between a Modem and a Router

8 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/difference-between-a-modem-and-a-router.153362/

A
ajay600 Original post #1
Feb 29, 2012 at 2:52 PM
Hi,

1)what does a ROUTER ?
2)What is the purpose of using a ROUTER?
3)How is it different from a MODEM ?

All i know is both are used to access the internet
T
Feb 29, 2012 at 3:17 PM
This site has a brief summary on the differences between the two:

*whirlpool.net.au/wiki/dsl_modems03_01
reniarahim1
Feb 29, 2012 at 3:32 PM
In simple terms, modem encodes and decodes the signals coming thru optical/telephone/other cables and router routes/redirects the signal across different systems.
G
Feb 29, 2012 at 3:43 PM
Modem- give you internet on lan/wifi/usb as o/p from telephone adsl line input.

Router-Splits the input across output.For eg the output of modem can
be given to router.The router can now share that as output on multiple lan
ports and wifi.

*www.microsoft.com/library/media/1033/windowsxp/images/using/networking/setup/68573-router-diagram.gif
Sudh4r
Sudh4r #5
Feb 29, 2012 at 4:00 PM
To put it simple
Modem - Only one machine can access Internet
Router - Many machines can access Internet from single Net Connection
P
PraKs #6
Feb 29, 2012 at 6:53 PM
@Sudh4r
Correction, if modem is more then one RJ45 port, many machines can access internet.
A
ajay600 #7
Mar 1, 2012 at 10:13 PM
thank you all...
topgear
topgear #8
Mar 2, 2012 at 5:34 AM
@Sudh4r
Correction, if modem is more then one RJ45 port, many machines can access internet.

In short a milti port ( 3x or 4x RJ45+ 1 USB) modem can act as a Router ;-)