Internet connection

[Boto]

Simply please, what is the difference between a modem, router, and a hub? Many thanks.

[vehelpfulguy]

1) Modem. Telephone wires transmit ANALOGUE signals but your computer works with DIGITAL data.

A modem converts the digital signals that come out of your computer into analogue signals so they can go down the telephone wire.

A modem at the other end converts them back into digital.

2) Router. A router splits a single connection to the internet into a multiple connection to the internet.

Say a single broadband telephone wire comes into your house. If you plug it into a router it splits it into 4 (or more) broadband connections.

So if you plug 2 PCs into a router both of them can connect to the internet, and the router makes sure the correct information goes to the correct PC.

Routers often include a modem.

3) Hub. A Hub allows you to connect two or more computers together, or to a network device such as a router.

A hub is a little bit like a router, but is less complex so cannot be connected directly to your broadband connection.

[vehelpfulguy]

I use all three in my house so let me show you how I use them (I am on Virgin Cable but the principle is similar for ADSL).

1) Modem: When i first got broadband they gave me a modem. I was only able to use ONE computer on that broadband connection.

2) Router: I then bought a router and plugged it into the modem (on Virgin cable the modem and router are separate).

I was then able plug 4 PCs into the router that could all connect to the internet.

3) Hub: One of the ethernet wires that I plugged into my router I ran to my office upstairs. But because I only had one wire in my office I was only able to use one PC.

So I bought a hub and plugged the single wire into the hub in my office.

I can now use 4 PCs in my office (if I wished) all plugged into the hub, which itself is then plugged into the router.

Note a hub and a switch are very similar and you will often see these words used.

http://ask-leo.com/whats_the_difference_betwee n_a_hub_a_switch_and_a_router.html

[fo3nix]

People often get confused about hubs, switches and routers too.

Hub: just like taking one wire as input, and then splitting it into two. So one internet connection from your modem can be split into a wire for two computers together.

However, this means that data can only be sent from one computer at a time. Due to the way computers send their data (in packets), both can still communicate when turned on at the same time. But it'll cause a slow down, due to collisions of packets when they are sent at the same time.

This is fine for 2 computers or so, but beyond 4 and the issues really start to magnify.

Switch: this attempts to solve these issues, by using very fast electronic circuit switching, letting many more computers be connected to one outside internet connection.

Router: this is just a switch with more intelligence. Commercial ones have router tables and all sorts to analyse packets going through it and redirect. NAT systems, etc.

Home-grade routers usually include simpler stuff like logging, IP address redirection, stuff like that. If you read the details of routers on sale at places like ebuyer.com, you'll often see that they tell you that it has a switch (obvious, as just explained).

[Boto]

Thanks everyone.