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On 14/04/12 15:24, Martijn Grooten wrote: > They are separate things. > > A modem converts as digital signal that can be received by computers > to an analogue one that can be sent over a phone line and vice versa. > A router routes digital signals between computer networks. > > As your Internet traffic enters your house via a telephone line, you > need a modem to turn it into a digital signal. If you have more than > one device using the Internet connection, or if you want to use wi-fi, > you will need a router to make sure the incoming traffic is sent to > the right device. > > Because most people will need both a modem and a router, they are > generally included in the same device. You can buy them separately > though but if you need both, there's probably little point in doing > so. (It's not too difficult to set up a Linux box to do the routing > and it certainly gives you more control over what happens. You'd still > need something to do the wi-fi though.) > > Martijn. > Thanks. I have a desktop computer, wired, two laptops using wifi and a smartphone also using wifi. I suppose that my current router includes a modem. Anyway, does this mean that I need both a modem and a router? And if so, when I am looking for a new router must I make sure it includes a modem? Up till now I had always assumed that it would. Thanks for the help, Neil -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/listfaq