What is the difference between a modem and a router?

[Peachy Fish]

Is that to the internet? If so, too bad PH is probably throttled to just a few kbps per connection.

Yes, and I know what you mean. lol

[sinister357]

Our ASUS router just came in yesterday and we placed it in already, so now I can now go 150mbps (my laptop's max) compared to 60mbps before. His laptop can now go 300mbps. 

you should go to http://speedtest.net/ and test. i doubt you are that fast.

[sinister357]

just for comparison, heres my result.

[JimmyNeutron]

...

[Peachy Fish]

you should go to http://speedtest.net/ and test. i doubt you are that fast.

[Peachy Fish]

you should go to http://speedtest.net/ and test. i doubt you are that fast.

Very true.

[Peachy Fish]

No way is that is to the internet unless it's a business plan and if it is for a business and you're using an Asus, time to hire a new IT department.   150Mbps is almost OC-3 specs.

Just because you establish a connection to your AP at these speed doesn't necessary means you will get those data transfer rate and 90% of the time, you don't take advantage of it anyways.  Seriously, for the average user, how many people transfer files from one machine to another on a DAILY basis?  I do it about once a month only for backup purpose.  90% of my traffic is going to/from the internet using my devices.

True. I don't take advantage of it to matter, but the bf does, that's why we have it. Also, he does transfer a lot of files.

[tsiehta_goy_vuk]

I am trying to sign up for an internet and I asked the sales rep if the account comes with a modem or some kind of wireless accessory so that I could connect my home computer with my work computer within 10 miles apart. She said "..it comes with a modem. You can pick up a router to make it wireless..."

What does she mean? What are those two things: modem and router?

Yeah, I'm a novice.

Thanks.

Many of our friends here are correct about explaining the difference between modem and router.  However, there is one crucial thing to remember that a lot of the time if you get DSL modem, you have to configure your router with the pw and user name that your service provider provide, else the router won't work. 

For a cable modem, you just plug and play.

And most of the time (99%), the DSL or Cable modem is provided by your ISP and it is mostly not a combo of router and modem.  At least I have not seen it, perhaps some providers started this but I am not aware of this from where I live.

Another note, DSL has very low speed, I would go with Cable.

Good luck.

[Reporter]

Yes.  Make sure it's an approved device aka one that will work with the service.

I'll check into it. Thanks.

I noticed you are looking to connect your home and work PCs.  You could invest about $1,000 on the proper hardware and do a site-to-site vpn between your home and office.  You will need static IPs on both ends (will probably need to pay $20-$30 more per connection), two Cisco ASA 5505 applicances ($400/each), and two cheap modems (<$100 each).  This is if you need full time site-to-site connectivity.. .if not there are a variety of ways, depending on your needs and requirements.

I don't want to spend too much. Not over 1K. No.

12 mbps is going to be plenty for what you are doing (assuming you just have no more than a few computers connected).  However, if the cost is roughly the same it may be easier for you to go with the vendor that can grow with you just in case you require more bandwidth in the future.

Comcast is almost twice as much. So, it's whether I want 12 mbps or 40. Specifically, Qwest offers $83.00 per month for 12; Comcast offers $130.00 for 40. When I said "reasonable," I meant $130.00 might be reasonable for 40 mgbz.

[Reporter]

Here's a quick assessment.

1) How many computers will be networked?
2) How many users will be using your internet?
3) What are your expectation in how the internet will be used when networked?  Put anything down...Be illustrative about what your ideas are.


If you have <=5 users, i suggest everyone get a laptop and have a FTP server to share files.  FTP servers are VERY easy to setup.  I can set one up in a matter of minutes.  Another option is to buy more service and get Office 365.  This allows collaboration. .if you want file hosting then buy one similar to PH, but you'll have to learn how to use it...basically this filing hosting is just a FTP anyways.

if you have > 5 users, maybe consider something more costly but I don't see why spend the $$ for something you may not need.


In terms of ISP, get comcast...unle ss you like Qwest because cable is faster than DSL.

We have fewer than 3 people and no more than 3 computers will be networked here. 

Yes, it does seem that Comcast will be much faster.

[Reporter]

  Yeah googldocs is a great idea...You hear that reporter try googledocs it's FREE

Yeah, I heard that. I use them sometimes. But we have to make sure they conform with current laws. So that takes a lot of revising and editing.

[Reporter]

Our ASUS router just came in yesterday and we placed it in already, so now I can now go 150mbps (my laptop's max) compared to 60mbps before. His laptop can now go 300mbps. 

Wow! 150? That's fast.

[Reporter]

Many of our friends here are correct about explaining the difference between modem and router.  However, there is one crucial thing to remember that a lot of the time if you get DSL modem, you have to configure your router with the pw and user name that your service provider provide, else the router won't work. 

For a cable modem, you just plug and play.

And most of the time (99%), the DSL or Cable modem is provided by your ISP and it is mostly not a combo of router and modem.  At least I have not seen it, perhaps some providers started this but I am not aware of this from where I live.

Another note, DSL has very low speed, I would go with Cable.

Good luck.

Thanks. That makes Comcast a more likely choice.  I'm still talking to them.

[Reporter]

Laptops for 3, 1 file server with a FTP server installed.  It'll cost you 3 laptop + 1 server + $60 per month.  The server can be cheap too....no need to buy some fancy HP/DELL blade server...Just an old desktop lying around.  Next step is getting your buddy to install and properly configure so you can see each other.  I don't think you need active directory so we can shelf the idea of Windows Server.  That just increases the complexity of your network.

You've still given me your wish list of what exactly you want to do...It'll help us understand if you need Windows Server or not...Which I doubt it.

I want to be able to do the following:
1.  Westlaw--that's our electronic legal research database

2.  Google

3.  Youtube videos or some media access so I can watch court sessions live or recorded sessions and sometimes movies.

4.  Software uses--various softwares will be used, e.g. conflict tracking, bank account, client database.

5.  PDF--need conversion from other files into PDF files for security when forms or documents are emailed to others.

6.  Word processing--typing letters, memos, etc.

7.  Forms--creating legal forms so that they conform to formats generally used in the particular courts-e.g wills, health directives, etc. Sure, forms can be bought and downloaded from the net or legal document stores. But, again, the forms must be verified so that they are up-to-date. That's what I meant by current laws.

We have the computers already. We just need to get the right kind of net connections. By the end of this month, I should have everything or most things in place.

[Reporter]

You have everything you need.  Get a router.  You didn't even list file sharing or collaboration. ..I suppose that is done with a USB stick so CHECK..DONE... Get a router and $60 ISP from comcast.

Wow..interesti ng. I'll see. I'm most concerned about the PDF conversions.Bu t that sounds great! I'll check my printer set-ups.  And, no, we are not sharing files. Only one lawyer. The others are nonlawyers, so we aren't sharing files. But when we do, we do it through USB. That's right: USB. 

$60? That's a great saving. What do I request to get that? Just an ISP or something?