I’m looking to replace my old Telstra 2 modem. (Fibre to The Node)
I’m currently with Tangerine and looking at the netcom NF20 mesh they supply. It’s also been suggested that I consider the ASUS RT- AX 56U as a replacement for my old Telstra 2. It advises though that it is only a router & I will need to get a modem. Is this correct? If so it would not be viable to buy both.
Why do, when you search “ modems”, routers also get listed? It gets very confusing for an old fart like me.
FTN in Op's post.
Your Telstra-issued modem is actually a combination of router and modem.
Most ISP's provides their customer with a VDSL modem that also functions as a wireless router, but you can also go out and purchase either a standalone modem (very rare nowadays), a standalone router or a modem router.
What type of device you need depends on what type of nbn you got:
https://www.nbnco.com.au/learn/device-compatibility/vdsl2-mo…
If you have a functional modem router already, it is possible to continue using just the modem portion of the device (and have it's wireless router functions turned off) and connect it with a mesh router. https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/modem_to_router_bridging_guide
But you'll get better answers from people if you tell us what type of nbn technology you have.
gen 2 will work fine
Why do, when you search “ modems”, routers also get listed? I
Modems nearly always work as routers too…
Routers do not perform modem functions.
Most NBN connections do not require a modem as that is provided by NBN.
Modems nearly always work as routers too…
Routers do not perform modem functions.
I think you mean most routers also have a built-in modem.
There are a lot of routers in the world that are not modems. The operate in data centres, businesses universities, etc.
They're not exactly wrong in the consumer context. Most, if not all modem/router combo sold in countries still stuck on ADSL are designed as wireless routers with a built-in modem, rather than a modem with wireless router capability. The non-modem model is the primary one. If you want to go into semantic, I have more issues with the "Modems nearly always work as routers" statement than "most routers also have a built-in modem."
I think you mean
No, I didn't mean that.
Bold claim them
@filmer: No it's not.
Most Modems (almost all in consumer grade) are Modem/Routers
On the flipside, there's probably as many Router-only models (with no modem functionality) as there are Modem/Router models. Particularly these days.
@ESEMCE: I was going to see if that argument was made.
Is this a modem with router functionality, or a router with modem functionality. ASUS sells the ' AX82U AX5400 Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 Modem Router' and 'RT-AX82U V2 AX-5400 Dual Band Wi-Fi 6 Router'. This would be a router with a modem built in. I'd argue the given modem part is the simplest this is the case for most.
@filmer: Even accepting your definition (which chooses to ignore the 30 odd years of nomenclature putting the most important component first), it still does not support your argument that;
most routers also have a built-in modem.
Modem/Routers almost invariably have a Router-only cousin (per your example above). So immediately you have a 50:50 split at best between Routers that have a Modem and those without.
Then you add on all the corporate gear that is Router-only or Modem-only and consumer gear like Mesh hardware that are also Router-only to get a less than 50% share of Routers with inbuilt Modems.
If that's "most" then we disagree on more than how to define a Modem/Router.
Modems and routers
One is a network switch (like to connect ethernet to ethenet devices), and say one device (technically itself) to wireless devices.
while other is designed to connect internet to home network (translate information/data from non public IP devices to devices on internet with public IP)
most ISP or small home routers/modems are all in 1 solution (more like they do most things not so well, and compromise some things to keep affordability etc.)
No, a modem acts as an interface between analog modulation phoneline based connection standards like VDSL (or a HFC based connection standard like DOCSIS) and digital interfaces like ethernet.
The router is then what translates between public and private IP addresses (and provides a firewall).
A lot of routers have a modem built in, some routers have nearly identical models but one has modem and one doesn't. A lot of routers don't have modems. You don't need a modem if you have real fibre NBN. You do need it if you have the Coalition "NBN". Goddamn the Coalition and News Corpse…
Thanks for the advice so far. My NBN is fibre to node. We do a fair bit of streaming.
So basically from what I understand from you all the ASUS RT - AX 56 U is a no go?
Has anyone got a better suggestion than the Netcom. Don’t want to pay anymore than the $170 unless it’s something that is so good for close to that price that makes it worth it.
With Fibre to the node, you'll have to continue using a VDSL modem.
You have two options:
Use your current VDSL modem and put it in bridge mode. Then you can purchase any router you like, however, I wouldn't buy ASUS RT-AX56U because it's end of life and is no longer receiving security patches. I'd look into getting the Asus AX1800s or Asus RT-AX57 AX3000
Alternative, just outright replace your VDSL modem and grab a higher end modem router, such as the TP-Link Deco X73 DSL or ASUS DSL-AX82U.
You may also want to check your suburb to see if you're eligible for a free FTTP upgrade.
What's wrong with the existing Telstra modem/router?
Their only real downside is that the landline telephone port is locked to Telstra, but most people do not use the landline phone feature anyway and you don't seem to need that given not all the models you've suggested as alternative support VoIP.
If all you want you want is better WiFi, a Mesh system set in Access Point only mode is a better place to put your money.
Yeah, if anything the Telstra Technicolor stuffs is outright better than most cheaper routers on the market.
I’m currently with Tangerine and looking at the netcom NF20 mesh they supply.
I notice Tangerine call that a "modem". How can anyone trust an ISP that does not know the difference. Can you imagine trying to get tech support form those fools? <shudder>
A router is a city planner and post office. It assigns each device an address, and delivers the right traffic (mail) to each of them.
A modem is a morse code translator, making sense of the beeps and boops that is sent through the line. Once it makes sense of it it passes it to your postie.
Some options combine both. A modem is required for certain connection types (eg. ADSL or VDSL - FTTN), and the average person doesn't want multiple boxes (not like this can really be avoided).
Some options are a router only. You only need a router if you have a FTTP, HFC, or FTTC connection (as each has a 'NTD' device, which functions as a modem).
Generally speaking, for FTTN connections nowadays, TP-Link VDSL hardware is a safe (but not the only) bet.
jeez. can no tech people describe things in basic terms? Switches, addresses, ADSL, VDSL, acronyms. Yes, you are correct but only in the sense that most people will have no idea what you are trying to explain to them
So:
Modem - takes the signal ('the internet') from the internet provider via the NBN wiring and brings it into your house
Router - takes the signal from the modem and turns it into something that your devices can connect to and therefore access the internet
You need a modem otherwise there is no internet that comes into your house
You need a router to connect your devices to the internet after it comes into your house.
Most modems can also operate as routers, they are made to do both jobs.
Most routers are made just to be routers, so they do not also do the job of a modem.
Basic? Sure. Is it exactly correct - not always. It is correct enough and understandable to the lay person - I think so.
You seem to be confusing descriptions with labels. And your definitions unfortunately are gobbledygook.
Anyone who wishes to communicate on the topic should learn the correct terms.
Modem is "modulator-demodulator". It turns all those chirps and whistles that are used in long-distance wires or fibres into a simpler digital signal. These days it would be more accurate to say they bridge between infrastructure hardware and protocols (LTE, NBN), and local ones (ethernet, wifi) .
"the internet" is a collection of IP networks. It does not "come into your home", rather, your home joins it, becomes a part of it. Every smartphone, every wifi lightbulb is a part of the intertnet.
A router, as the name implies, directs traffic. Like air-traffic control, it is a hub and determines what data goes down which physical (or wifi) paths.
Consider this: If you just want to connect one computer to the internet, you don't need a router. If you have FTTP, the modem is supplied by the NBN people, and you can plug your computer directly into that, by ethernet.
I hope that helps make things clearer.
hese days it would be more accurate to say they bridge between infrastructure hardware and protocols (LTE, NBN),
See, this doesnt make any sense to a non tech person and completely supports my comment
the internet" is a collection of IP networks. It does not "come into your home",
missing the point. Is it really important to distinguish between 'connecting to the internet by bring it into your home' and 'connecting to the internet by your home going out and joining'.
: If you just want to connect one computer to the internet, you don't need a router. If you have FTTP, the modem is supplied by the NBN people, and you can plug your computer directly into that, by ethernet.
why do i want to consider this?
Classic tech person being completely unable to explain something in simple terms that 'are good enough' to explain what is going on, even if they are not 'technically' accurate
Depends on your connection to the house? Do you have NBN fibre to Premises?