router/modem differences

I suspect this may have been asked before but can't find the appropriate thread....have recently come across an issue where a regular ADSL modem (tried both Speedtouch 330 and Voyager105) will not synch with the BB signal i.e. adsl light continually flashes on/off. All filters are fitted OK. However, a router does synch and no problems connecting to ISP. Is this common if the BB signal is not too good?? and do modems/routers have different characteristics which can make this possible?? Any pointers to where I can learn a bit more about this topic would be really welcome. Thanks in anticipation.

different chipsets do better on some lines and with some exchange DSLAMs than others, for example a router using the TI AR7 chipset may get on particularly well with a TI chipped DSLAM. The difference you observed is probably in the chipsets rather than modem vs router.

The stats pages sometimes give local and remote vendor codes which may tell you.

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do modems/routers have different characteristics which can make this possible?

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A useful summary is here

The major difference between a router and a modem is that you use completely different technologies to communicate between the computer and the device which connects to the ADSL link.

Most ADSL modems use USB which, I have seen it suggested, will be a slow point in your link. A router connects using Ethernet (or some other network setup) which will normally be far faster than anything else in line with it.

Other problems arise because the modem is essentially connected to a single computer. If you wish to use a network, that computer must also run network sharing (Windows Internet Sharing or some third party proxy server) so that other computers can use the link. I have done this and, believe me, it is an experience I will never willingly repeat.

Even if you only have one machine, a router has major advantages. It is completely separate from the computer. Therefore it handles the connection. With a modem, most of the work is done by the computer, using, with Windows Dial Up Networking (DUN up to Win98) or Remote Access Service (RAS - NT/XP). You can leave it on all the time or, if you want to turn it on or off, all that is needed is the mains switch (which could even be on a timer). This has two advantages:

It doesn't consume any resources on a computer.

Because it is a separate device, it is an ideal firewall. No malware, should it infect your coputer, can turn it off. Many viruses are capable of disabling at least the commonest software firewalls.

I doubt whether it is worth trying to find out if your problem is due to one of the disadvantages I have suggested here, or something else. You have shown that the router works and the modem doesn't, why not just dump the modem and use the router instead?

I would make the same recommendation, even if you were not experiencing problems with the modem.

Good post.

I would use a router if you have the choice as if you buy the correct one you get wireless and ethernet connections meaning if you ever need them they are there. Also a router will tend to give you more information to go on if you have any problems.

USB modems are fine for just browsing the web but for gaming etc a router is normally better.

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I would use a router if you have the choice as if you buy the correct one you get wireless and ethernet connections meaning if you ever need them they are there.

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I would avoid suggesting that a good router necessarily includes a wireless access point. If you don't need wireless, then that part is fairly useless. Until recently, we had no need of a wireless connection so didn't buy one.

Another point is that the optimal place for your ADSL connected router may not be the optimal place for a wifi point. In such circumstances, a good solution would be a non-wireless router with a wifi point in its own best place connected to your network.

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USB modems are fine for just browsing the web

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My experience suggests otherwise. The problems don't start with using them, ADSL modems, whether USB or otherwise are far more trouble to configure and maintain than routers. After about five years of router use I have experienced far fewer problems with it than I had with two different modems in the previous year or so. And I use my system for serious, often critical work (which doesn't include the serious business of gaming).

Hi,

Just trying to post in english rather than IT speak.

My simple advice is buy a router as it is more flexible / reliable and not waste time on USB modems for ADSL. Having said that if a persons current setup works fine for them then why spend money to change it.

My old ADSL modem was fine for a single PC connection but we now have a variety of wireless and ethernet devices networked which is much easier for us to use. For example our printer connects directly into the switch on our Netgear 824 and so is also available via wireless from our laptops. This is handy for working from home.