Introduction :
In the current market, be it in the sector of information and technology or just the common household, the need for the internet has only been on a constant rise. As such the overall performance of the internet in the criteria of speed, fluidity, accessibility, etc are extremely important to oversee a better performance.
Without a stable internet connection in the current world, it becomes quite hard for a company to secure proper business growth and ensure proper management of their internet services unless the user has a proper setup for the internet services. As such it can be said that there are several devices and technologies which can be used together to often help in improving the overall performance of the internet services.
Modem :
The modem is one of the most basic internet devices in the market. They are also the precursor of routers and were the first options for having a proper internet connection with the use of a direct connection. The word modem is an abbreviation for modulator-demodulator. It helps in making the internet signals readable by other devices and thus makes them able to access the internet. The use of modem was extremely favored for single devices like PC because they offered reliable connectivity while also being a very fast option. The modem essentially transforms the internet signals provided by the ISP into digital signals as mentioned previously. This helps the PC to recognize them and connect to the server and thereby accessing the internet.
Router :
The router itself is another internet-connected device that is often considered a popular choice much more than the modem currently. This is because of the advanced features that set it apart from the modem. The router offers seamless connectivity across multiple devices at the same time without any wired connection. This is a massive upgrade when compared to a modem because not only does it allows a wider usage but it also allows the usage of multiple devices. This is because of its ability to engage the IP addresses across all the devices in its vicinity that can access its bandwidth. Due to the above-mentioned reasons the router naturally comes off as a much more popular choice to the customers in the current market.
Modem – Router Combo :
The modem router combo more popularly known as the gateway is a modern device that combines the features of both the router and the modem into a single device. This makes it an ideal device to be used for all the good parts of both devices. This device can essentially function as both a modem and a router at time or at the same time making it an advanced way to set up personal internet connections. Other than that the device also allows for a much better installation process since the user will not have to install both devices. It will also help in reducing the overall cost while also saving space making it an ideal device for smaller workplaces or desks.
What is the difference between the two?
There are various existing differences between a modem router combo and a modem or router itself. These differences are extremely important to understand to ensure a proper choice of internet device. Each of these devices or device combos have its perks however it is often decided by the user themselves and the situation they are in. If their environment seems more optimal for a gateway then of course a gateway is a better choice for them. While if the customer does not have a problem with space or installation the separate devices will provide a higher degree of performance and often better speed as well. There are several other factors or differences between these devices. Some of which can be :
Functionality –
Even though the basic functionality of both the devices stays the same there are certain differences between them. Of course, the functional performance may vary with brands or manufacturers; the gateway is often a less efficient option. This is because of its tendency to do both the functions of a modem and a router at the same time. This puts unnecessary pressure on the device which affects its performance in the long run. On the other hand, the separate devices are each tasked to perform their respective tasks making pressure management a better one and improving the overall performance of these devices.
Customizability –
Also in terms of customizability, separate devices are often a better choice. This is because the user can choose each of their devices on the basis of their own needs and interests and tweak their performances separately. This will help in differentiating their functions as well which may greatly diversify the overall performance of both of these devices. The routers especially are often jam-packed with a variety of features which allows an even higher degree of customization. On the other hand in the case of gateways, the customizability is not very high and is actually quite limited.
Cost –
The cost of installation is often a major concern for the users of both these devices. It is also the field where the gateway snags the win because most of the time buying two separate devices will often be more costly when compared to a single device like a gateway. This often makes it a better choice for users with a limited budget. This is also the best selling point for the device as well. It can be safe to say that the entire device is conveniently a budget integration of both devices with slightly limited capabilities. This makes it a decent choice for a specific class of users as well.
Troubleshooting –
The process of troubleshooting stays one of the major problems with both routers and modems. Both of these devices are designed for streamlined performance and are never the best at dealing with fluctuations in internet speed. Therefore the troubleshooting process will often take much more time for these devices all the while being extremely less effective in the process, to begin with. However, this is where the gateway starts making a difference. The device is known to have a very quick and effective troubleshooting feature which is extremely handy in areas with fluctuating internet speed.
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Benefits of a separate Modem and Router :
There are quite a number of benefits that comes with the use of separate devices for the most part. Understanding them can help the user make an appropriate decision for their internet service. Considering the importance of internet services the necessity of these devices keeps on increasing. Some of the benefits that come with them are :
- The separate devices allow for a higher degree of customization for the user as well.
- Considering the setup of two different devices the total number of features will be higher when compared to a gateway.
- Having separate devices often means faster connection which is often the priority for the user.
Benefits of a Modem and Router combo :
Even if they are new to the market the gateway combo is slowly gathering popularity which makes it necessary to understand the features it brings to the table. The understanding of these features will allow the consumers looking for an Internet-connected device to make a proper decision. Some of the common benefits that come with gateways are :
- The main selling point of the gateway is the easier installation process which is also very quick.
- The troubleshooting process with the gateway is much faster and easier.
- Gateway is a combination of both the router and the modem that negates the necessity of two separate devices which thereby consumes less space.
Which is better?
After going through all the aforementioned speculations it can already be visible why the answer is not a straightforward one. Most of the time the best device for an Internet connection will depend greatly on the choice of the user as well as their situation. That being said it can be very safe to assume that the overall performance of any internet-connected device is not linked to its features.
Since all of the devices share the same base function it is really hard to say which one will surpass the other in terms of the basics. However, there are other criteria that are required to be addressed as well. For the most part, the overall feature-packed routers being around is a major challenge for modems and gateways. Gateways trying to be the jack of all trades is an innovative approach but that does not really make it a necessity over a common router. While the modem is nowadays mostly considered a relic of the past.
Conclusion :
In the end, it can be fairly safe to conclude that the overall performance and service of a router as a separate device and as a combo under the name of a gateway are largely different. This is because as a separate device it provides much better performance for the cost of space and often more budget and troubleshooting issues. On the other hand, the gateways are just routers that offer better troubleshooting features at the cost of slight performance issues and customizability. However, none of this can decide which is better among the two. In fact, as said previously it is completely decided by the user preferences.
