A Cable/DSL Router And A Modem - Do They Do The Same Thing?
What is the difference between a cable/DSL router and a modem for a broadband connection? Well, a modem takes the 'downstream' Internet data that has been transmitted over the cable network and changes it from a form that's utilized by televisions to a form that can be used by your computer. It then reverses the process for any information your computer sends back to the Internet, which is referred to as the 'upstream' direction.
A cable/DSL router is hooked into the broadband connection after the modem. It takes the data from the modem and distributes (or routes) it among the computers on your network. The router can be wired, wireless, or a combination of both. Many devices referred to as routers are technically actually 'gateways'. There are some subtle differences that you don't really need to know unless you're a geek. If you are a geek, then explain the difference to me :-)
There are a multitude of different cable/DSL routers available these days. A few brands and models I've seen mentioned repeatedly on the web are Belkin Wireless Cable/DSL Routers, the Linksys Etherfast Cable DSL Router, the Netgear Wireless Cable Dsl Router, and the Netgear Cable Dsl Wireless Router MR814.
Where exactly can you pick up one of these? As you might expect, there are a multitude of web merchants who keep them in stock. Amazon.com is great because there usually will be no shipping fee, as long as you select 'Super Saver Shipping', and most buyers won't pay any sales tax. To get free shipping, make sure you're purchasing directly from amazon and not one of their 'merchants' or 'sellers'. There are also places that specialize in computer gear, and therefore will probably have a bigger selection, such as Tiger Direct at www.tigerdirect.com and NewEgg at www.newegg.com. However, they normally will charge shipping, and may charge sales tax depending on where you live. You can also pay a visit to your local big box retailer like Circuit City or Best Buy, or visit their websites. As far as a modem, they normally come with the broadband hookup and it's usually best to stick with what the company gives you because they've tested it and confirmed it to work with their system. If you do need to purchase a modem, check out the same sources listed above for routers. Hopefully, this short article has simplified the Cable/DSL router/modem situation a little bit for you.
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