Pros/Cons of connecting Ethernet to modem instead of router?
- Thread starter Linnaeus
- Start date
Solution
- Mar 16, 2013
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Modem->router->PC is the preferred situation.
The router provides a few benefits.
Firewall.
IP address masking due to NAT.
The ability for more than one device.
Unless it is a REALLY bad router, speed will not be diminished at all.
Yeah - it just isn't going to make any real difference. Compared to the distance and number of routes that your traffic will travel once it leaves your network, the PC -> Router -> Modem but is basically irrelevant. It's a little bit like trying to improve your long commute to work by parking on the road so as to avoid the time spent on your own driveway... it's just such a tiny factor in the overall trip.
jsmithepa
Polypheme
- Jun 14, 2014
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As in all answer to this type, IT DEPENDS. There is no fast answer unless you provide more detailed into like modem or gateway? ethernet router or wifi router? which box is currently doing DHCP (somebody must do this job and if the modem can't then who's going do it when you remove the router?) blah-blah-blah.
Lastly unless it bothers you in some way, leave well the dog lay. It's working, don't try to fix it.
Lastly unless it bothers you in some way, leave well the dog lay. It's working, don't try to fix it.
- Mar 16, 2013
- 171,445
- 17,909
- 184,590
The ISP gives you one IP address, to the modem.
The modem gives up one IP address, the same.
If the single PC is connected directly to the modem, the PC gets that public IP address.
If there were a router int he chain, that public IP only goes to the router. After that, devices get internal IP addresses, not directly routable to the outside world.
Let's assume the ISP gives you an address of 72.145.250.101
A typical port scan from outside would go to that IP.
Modem -> PC means that port scan is directly to the PC.
Modem -> router -> PC means the port scan goes to the router (and its firewall), not to the PC.
I'm not sure "it depends" at all... I'm really struggling to see any possible justifications to take this route at all.
Only two I can think of
1) "Performance" -> see my first response above... it's just irrelevant for Internet traffic
2) Saving money by avoiding buying a router. I suppose maybe that makes sense, but surely just about everyone wants wireless? Even if you don't, wireless routers start at like $16 new on Newegg. When you look at the myriad of "Pros" associated with having a router, the $16 just becomes a no-brainier doesn't it?
Is there really any justification/situation where PC -> Modem makes sense, particularly for a relatively novice user who might not know how to lock their exposed PC down? I'm struggling to see one.
But if one host you'll get your IP address from your ISP anyway (and unless you've paid extra for a static IP from your ISP that's pretty much required if you want your internet to keep working). So static IPs kind of assumes multiple hosts.
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