Modem vs Router vs Switch

[mrswagbhinav]

What's the difference between a modem, router, switch, AP, all that stuff. I have Verizon btw

[SkywardKkalox]

A modem takes the information from your ISP and uses it to give you access to the internet, the router is used most of the times to extend the connection of your modem, most ISPs give a router/modem combo with a package. A switch makes more devices to be connected physically via Ethernet, making the straight ethernet cables to crossover digitally so they can exchange data and an Access Point is a device that takes a port out of your Switch/router and distributes Wi-Fi. It basically extends your Wi-Fi range.

[Altecice]

basically;

 

A modem (modulator-demodulator) - Takes the signal from your service provider and demodulates (or translates) the signal and turns it into a useful stream of data that your network can use. It also does the reverse when data needs to be sent back out of the network.

 

A router - spends its time looking at IP addresses to determine what network a specific packet of data belongs to, or what network a packet has to be sent to. Its taking a packet from one network segment to another. (192.168.0.0/24 > 192.168.1.0/24). 

 

A switch - is like a router but it spends its time looking at MAC addresses only. It does not look at the IP address segment of a packet header (unless its a layer 3 switch but we will save that for another time) its only interested in what MAC address a packet has either come from or is going to. 

 

Its worth noting that in todays hardware the Modem+Router+Switch is all one device.

 

---

 

This is a basic explanation and there is ALOT more going on in the background.

[SkywardKkalox]

basically;

 

A modem (modulator-demodulator) - Takes the signal from your service provider and demodulates (or translates) the signal and turns it into a useful stream of data that your network can use. It also does the reverse when data needs to be sent back out of the network.

 

A router - spends its time looking at IP addresses to determine what network a specific packet of data belongs to, or what network a packet has to be sent to. Its taking a packet from one network segment (192.168.0.0/24 > 192.168.1.0/24). 

 

A switch - is like a router but it spends its time looking at MAC addresses only. It does not look at the IP address segment of a packet header (unless its a layer 3 switch but we will save that for another time) its only interested in what MAC address a packet has either come from or is going to. 

 

Its worth noting that in todays hardware the Modem+Router+Switch is all one device.

 

---

 

This is a basic explanation and there is ALOT more going on in the background.

^

This guy explained it better than me

[mrswagbhinav]

basically;

 

A modem (modulator-demodulator) - Takes the signal from your service provider and demodulates (or translates) the signal and turns it into a useful stream of data that your network can use. It also does the reverse when data needs to be sent back out of the network.

 

A router - spends its time looking at IP addresses to determine what network a specific packet of data belongs to, or what network a packet has to be sent to. Its taking a packet from one network segment to another. (192.168.0.0/24 > 192.168.1.0/24). 

 

A switch - is like a router but it spends its time looking at MAC addresses only. It does not look at the IP address segment of a packet header (unless its a layer 3 switch but we will save that for another time) its only interested in what MAC address a packet has either come from or is going to. 

 

Its worth noting that in todays hardware the Modem+Router+Switch is all one device.

 

---

 

This is a basic explanation and there is ALOT more going on in the background.

If I am using the stock Verizon router they give me, is it worth an upgrade if I have a lot of PCs streaming HD video at the same time?

[Altecice]

If I am using the stock Verizon router they give me, is it worth an upgrade if I have a lot of PCs streaming HD video at the same time?

 

Im not familiar with that they provide specs wise so I couldn't say.

[mrswagbhinav]

Im not familiar with that they provide specs wise so I couldn't say.

But in general if you aren't the average Joe is it a good investment to upgrade your router

[Altecice]

But in general if you aren't the average Joe is it a good investment to upgrade your router

 

Well it depends, if you are streaming over WIFI then depending on what specs your router supports. If its Ethernet (wired) then as long as your ports on the router/end-device has 1Gbit ports you dont need to touch anything, its more than enough.

[mrswagbhinav]

Well it depends, if you are streaming over WIFI then depending on what specs your router supports. If its Ethernet (wired) then as long as your ports on the router/end-device has 1Gbit ports you dont need to touch anything, its more than enough.

I rarely use my Ethernet as it is in a very inconvenient place and I only have laptops. Someone recommended this router. 

[Altecice]

I rarely use my Ethernet as it is in a very inconvenient place and I only have laptops. Someone recommended this router. 

 

That router is great, but I cant advise you to get it or not without knowing your current router specs.

[RedPanda]

Routers can also serve as some other functions like DNS, DHCP, NTP, NAT, etc.