While DOCSIS 3.1 modems have the most up-to-date technology, DOCSIS 3.0 modems cost less in general. You can use either a DOCSIS 3.0 modem or DOCSIS 3.1 modem in these areas, since DOCSIS 3.1 modems are backward compatible. In many areas of the US, especially rural towns, cable internet networks still run on DOCSIS 3.0 technology. You can find out your provider’s DOCSIS standard in your area by contacting your provider’s customer service. The most recent generation is DOCSIS 3.1, and if your internet network uses DOCSIS 3.1, you’ll need a DOCSIS 3.1 modem. We recommend the NETGEAR CM2050V for Xfinity Voice.īut because it’s hard to find voice-compatible modems for most other providers, we recommend using your internet provider’s rentable modem if you have a home phone and internet plan.ĭOCSIS stands for “Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification.” It’s the technology that allows us to send and receive internet information over coaxial cable lines, and it applies to both internet networks and your home modem.Įach generation of DOCSIS has increased how quickly information travels from your internet service provider to your home and back. Heads-up-if you have an internet and voice bundle plan, you’ll need a router made to work specifically with your internet provider’s voice technology. The NETGEAR CM500 is ideal for plans up to 400 Mbps, and Motorola MB7621 works well for plans up to 800 Mbps. Of course, those choices are a bit pricey, and a cheaper modem will work just fine if you have slower internet speeds. The NETGEAR CAX80 is the best modem/router combo on the market, with top modem and router technology. We even named it our favorite gigabit modem.Īnd while we usually suggest buying separate modem/routers for the flexibility, we recognize the appeal of buying one device and calling it a day. If they do, they are easy to troubleshoot and fix.Out of the dozens of cable modems we’ve researched at, the ARRIS S33 stands out because it offers the latest DOCSIS 3.1 technology, supports gigabit speeds, and comes with a two-year warranty. Having both provides better internet connectivity and rarely breaks down. As a result, your network will be slow.įrom an economic point of view, it’s recommended that you buy a router and a modem separately. For instance, the router component in the combo is less powerful and has fewer features than a standalone router. It is easy to install, takes up less space, and makes them more profit because they get to rent it to you. Most internet service providers advise you to use a modem router combo. Should You Buy a Router and a Modem Separately? After all, most internet service providers will give you a device that serves both as a router and a modem or commonly known as a modem router combo.
If you find it hard to choose between these two devices, don’t fret. Having both allows you to connect multiple devices to the internet. Therefore, it is safe to say that you need both a modem and a router if you want Wi-Fi in your home. However, this usually isn’t the case because a home or office network comprises multiple devices that need to access the internet. Instead, you can plug that device’s network cable into the modem and directly access the internet. You technically don’t need a router if you have one device on your network. Using the address, you can control the network properties of each device, such as access and bandwidth, through your router’s settings.Ī typical router will have a switch and multiple ports so your devices can all connect to the internet.
And that’s where an IP address comes in.Īn IP address is a unique number that identifies every device on the network, helping the router to distribute the internet signal correctly. With multiple devices connected and needing to communicate, a router requires a mechanism to identify each device on the network. When multiple devices are connected to the same router, they form a network called the Local Area Network (LAN). This can be pretty inconvenient because it will render devices such as mobile phones and computers immobile. Without it, you’ll need to connect your device directly to the modem using an ethernet cable for internet access. Usually, a router is connected to the modem via an ethernet cable.
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