Free ADSL Modem

Anyone?

Is it a modem or a router?

modem I think

what's the diff b/n modem and router?

Thanks

To understand the difference between a modem and a router, you need to understand several different, but related, devices. The individual devices are (1) an ADSL modem; (2) a router; (3); and a switch.

It becomes confusing because there are combination devices which can combine both an ADSL modem and a router in the one case as well as devices which can combine an ADSL modem, a router and a switch all in the one case!


An ADSL modem is a device that transmits and receives data over the plain old telephone system's (POTS) analogue lines. It allows your PC to connect to your ISP. The modem acts as a "bridge" between your PC and your ISP. The dynamic or static public IP address which your modem obtains from your ISP is passed on to your PC. Your ADSL modem forwards packets based on hardware level MAC addresses between your ISP's router (and the Internet) and your PC.

A router is a device which acts as an interface between two networks. It forwards packets based on network level addresses (Internet Protocol addresses in this case) between your ISP's router and either your LAN or your single PC. A router learns more about the networks to which it is connected and can be more selective about the packets it passes on. A router rejects packets unless they match predefined attributes (eg specific protocols or destination network addresses). A router can also select the best route for packets to take in large interconnected networks.

A switch creates a virtual network between two networked devices for the duration of the data transfer. This is unlike a hub which forwards all received data to all connected devices, even though the data may be destined for just one of those devices. A switch learns the association between the MAC addresses of connected devices and its switched ports. By sending data only to where it needs to go, a switch reduces the amount of data on the network, thereby increasing the overall performance of the connected devices. A switch also improves security, since data is not broadcast to every connected device, but only to the device for which it is destined, it cannot be monitored by other connected devices.

What's the modem's model number?

My guess is it's just the modem which comes standard with the service package.

Hi, Do you still have the ADSL modem? I'm looking for one. Please let me know...
Thanks,
Matthew