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📘 Technology Explained

Modem, router and Wi-Fi explained

The words are often mixed together because many providers supply one box that performs more than one job.

Difficulty: Beginner Time: 4 minute read You will need: Nothing.
Published: Last checked: Checked by: Social Blade IT Services

The modem or NBN device

A Modem: A device that connects your home or office equipment to the internet service. Full definition or NBN connection box: The NBN-supplied device used for some connection types before your router. Full definition connects the property to the internet service.

The router

A Router: The device that shares the internet connection with computers, phones and other devices, usually through Wi-Fi. Full definition creates the local Network: A group of connected devices that can communicate with each other. Full definition and shares the connection with devices.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi: A wireless way for nearby devices to connect to a router or network. Full definition is the wireless link between a nearby device and the router. It is not the same thing as the internet service.

Ethernet cable

A network cable connects a device directly to the router and can help test whether Wi-Fi is the problem.

One combined box

Some provider devices contain both a modem and router. In that case, there may be only one box to restart.

Mesh Wi-Fi

A mesh system uses several coordinated Wi-Fi points to improve coverage across a larger building.

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