Modem vs Router?

Digito

So! In an interesting turn of events we just got our internet seriously upgraded from a slow-ass plan to a much faster one, and as a side effect we've got a brand new shiny cable modem that has built in wi-fi, which is kind of sweet. However, our prior connection was set up through a wireless router so we could actually use our wireless devices back when our house didn't really have wi-fi proper.

The question at hand, is there any reason to continue using the router at all and the old network, or is there a good reason to move all the devices over to the modems own wireless connection and off of the old routers network? And what about the computers, should we just use the modem directly or should we still plug them in through the router?

EDIT: One other piece of information to bring up, connecting direct to the modem gives our computers (both of them) the full 50 downstream we're supposed to have. Hooked up through the router, we seem to be capping out at about 35. What gives?

Donovan Puppyfucker

It seems like your old router can't handle the throughput, just connect everything up to the new one and get rid of the old one.

Digito

Yeah that's what I was afraid of, although to clarify there is no new router, it's just the brand new modem. Unless modern modems pretty much are routers?

aioua

Digito wrote: »

Yeah that's what I was afraid of, although to clarify there is no new router, it's just the brand new modem. Unless modern modems pretty much are routers?

So!

Modem: the part that translates the signal from the coaxial cable (i.e. the "cable" cable) into standard Ethernet signals.
Router/Gateway: the part that controls the link between your internal network and the internet. Also likely provides several functions for your internal network, like assigning IP addresses.
Wireless Access Point: the part spits out the wireless signal for you to connect to.

Your device is almost certainly all three in one box.

It's rare to see any one by itself on consumer level gear.

Sorce

Yeah, if your modem has Wi-Fi, it is also a router. If you want to be sure, Google the model number and find out.

Lilnoobs

Yes, google the model number as some companies will only provide the modem and will rent out a separate router to get that other dime of yours. But the wireless on the modem itself does seem to indicate it's also a functioning router.

edit: I just read your edit. Sounds like the modem is also a router. Are there issues with connecting everything directly to the modem?

Rend

It's worth mentioning that, in my experience, the wifi capable modem/routers send to have very poor signal. If you are a heavy user of the wireless fi's, you may want to get a mid-tier wireless router ANYWAY in order to get a device with better signal. Obviously see if your modem does the job, but just be aware that it may not have the strength you need if your space is fairly large, or if you have it stashed away in a corner.