How it WorksĪ router forwards data packets between computer networks. Without a modem, however, neither of us can get online. For example, I can send a file to my co-worker’s computer through the LAN. You don’t actually need a router to connect to the Internet, but you do need one if there’s more than one device on your network, or if you’re using Wi-Fi.Ĭonversely, if you have only a router and no modem, the devices on your LAN can still communicate. The router allows multiple computers to connect to the same modem, which provides access to the Internet beyond. If you’re not sure which box is your modem and which one is your router, routers usually have antennae for Wi-Fi. It’s the bridge between your computer and your modem. What Does a Router Do?Ī router has both a LAN port and a WAN port. Together, you have the basic setup to connect your small office or family home to the Internet.
Through your modem, your LAN connects with the wide area network (WAN), which extends over a large geographical distance, such as Manhattan or any metropolitan area. Your modem faces outwards-it’s what connects your LAN to the outside world, the Internet. It creates a local area network (LAN), which is what you would call your internal network of computers in your office or home. Your router faces inwards-it connects multiple computers in one network together. They sit next to each other, they look pretty identical, and they both help you connect to the internet.ĭespite having so much in common, they are actually opposites. The router and the modem are two of the easiest devices to get confused.
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