Modem or router?

[Coldicote]

I know there have previously been postings about modems, routers, Wi Fi and so on, but I haven't found the answer I'm looking for and would appreciate explanation of a basic point. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't broadband come through an ordinary telephone line? If broadband connection drops (and mine appears to do so quite frequently) what would be the point, if any, in having a router? I don't yet have a laptop but that is a future possibility.

[MarkRae]

Broadband can come through the phone line or via a dedicated cable, depending on the supplier. Typically in the UK, cable will be supplied by Virgin Media.

The presence or otherwise of a router would not cure whatever is causing your connection to fluctuate.

[VHG]

A modem is a device that converts the signal that comes down your line in a format your computer recognizes. Normally only one computer at a time connects to a modem, and a modem cant do wi-fi (that I am aware of).

A router (that normally includes a modem) allows you to use two or more computers down a single phone line (the router "routes" the signal to the correct computer).

A router can be NON wi-fi, and only allows a wired connection.

Or a router can be wi-fi which allows wired AND wi-fi connection.

[Coldicote]

Oh dear! Thanks anyway MarkRae. Although I pay Orange for broadband, it comes through the ordinary BT phone line. It's confusing trying to understand who provides what these days. (Same goes for electricity and water supplies, produced by one business and delivered by another.) Perhaps I might be better changing to BT broadband. Interesting to see if any other comments are posted here.

[Coldicote]

Thank you VHG. Your comments are interesting.

[tamborine]

In built wifi in a laptop works via signalling any 'open' modem.

[ChuckFickens]

"If broadband connection drops (and mine appears to do so quite frequently) what would be the point, if any, in having a router?"

For the purposes of this discussion the difference between a modem and a router is irrelevant, all you need to know is that ADSL routers are an ADSL modem with a couple of other bits in the box that enable more than one computer to be connected at once (and a router may, or may not, include a wireless access point)

Like most things, not all ADSL modems are equal (regardless of if the modem is a stand alone one or hidden inside a router) I've seen many people have serious problems with ADSL connections that have been fixed by simply user a better quality modem/router.

There are, however, a few things which effect the quality, speed and reliability of an ADSL connection.

Distance from the telephone exchange.
I live 600metres from the exchange I'm on, I get a reliable connection of 6-7Mb/s and it often peaks to over 8Mb/s, My parents live 2-3miles from the exchange in their town and they only get 1.5-2Mb/s

Quality of your houses internal telephone wiring (if not connected to the master socket)
A lot of cheap telephone extension kits are made using the cheapest cable the manufacturers can source, this cable is fine for voice telephone calls, it's not up to the job for the higher frequencies that ADSL uses.

The ADSL filter
The free filters supplied by your ISP are the cheapest ones they can source, they are not high quality ones at all and can seriously effect the reliability of your connection, they also do go wrong quite often.

Your modem (either stand alone or combined inside a router)
As said above, not all modems are equal, I've seen many cases of bad connections on cheap (often ISP supplied) modems and routers that simply replacing them with a £30-40 netgear router (the best routers at hanging onto low qualit

[ChuckFickens]

Your modem (either stand alone or combined inside a router)
As said above, not all modems are equal, I've seen many cases of bad connections on cheap (often ISP supplied) modems and routers that simply replacing them with a £30-40 netgear router (the best routers at hanging onto low quality connections in my experience) has solved.

to sum up

1) phone line
Not a lot you can do about this part

2)your internal wiring
Either plug your modem or router into the master socket, or ensure that you are using decent computer grade cable (called CAT5) for your internal telephone extensions.

3)filter
Try a different filter, either another free one in case yours has gone problematic, or buy a decent filter. ADSLnation make the best filters IMHO

4) you modem.
if it's one that was supplied by your ISP and you've tried plugging it into the master socket and changing the filter then changing the modem for a better one may fix your problems. as I said, netgear are the best IMO

if all the above fails and you still have a bad connection the only option left is to request that your ISP caps your line speed at a lower rate so it stays within the capabilities of your phone line.

[Coldicote]

Thank you all very much. This is one of the best informative sessions I have come across and I certainly have a better understandng of what to look for and what to avoid.