Switches, Hubs, Bridges, and Routers Explained


Eric Escobar
5-minute read
Episode #101




Routers and Modems


Routers connect networks together, which for you probably means your home network and the internet. Routers use IP addresses to deliver the packets to the device they are intended for. What's unique about the use of IP addresses is that they can be used in different protocols (or ways of transmitting data) which make them more versatile on a network. I’ve covered routers in a previous episode, and actually just got an awesome new one for my home: Asus RT-N66U.

Many routers come with a built-in modem. Or you might have a modem separate from your router. A modem is a piece of hardware that converts one type of signal medium to another type of signal medium. In most U.S., households modems generally convert coaxial cable to ethernet or RJ11 to RJ45. Or, if you are one of the lucky few, it might convert fiber optic cable to ethernet. There are a bunch of different modems on the market, but my favorite is the Motorola Surfboard.

Now let's look at switches......


About the Author

Eric Escobar
