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Interwebs ELI5 (aussie.zone)

submitted 11 months ago by Lophostemon@aussie.zone to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Could someone explain why we can’t just plug the average PC etc into a ‘raw’ internet line (like just entering a house) and have a mini modem on the motherboard do the translation work?

I know there’s a limit to IP addresses, and that it’s maybe easier to have a little box do the work where it enters a building.

… but apart from that?

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[–] jamiehs@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Just to add a bit of discussion on the modem vs. modem + router thing. I know it’s a pain to have to get two devices; cost is higher; also two things to worry about hooking up/configuring.

At my previous place I bought a Motorola modem in 2012 or so. I kept that modem for 10 years and it chugged along delivering the speeds I paid for. Because it simply had an Ethernet port on the back of it, it meant that I went through 3 or 4 routers in that period. Some were replaced because I got a router for free from a friend and wanted to install custom firmware. Some were swapped in because the previous one failed, and the last one was added because I upgraded to a Ubiquiti Edge Router and two separate WAPs.

None of this would have been possible with a combo device.

Again, I’m not trying to convince you or anyone else that this is a path for everyone, just adding a different way of viewing the two devices situation. It offers you flexibility and plug-ability.

[–] Lophostemon@aussie.zone 2 points 11 months ago

Sure. Sounds good. I saw lots of stand-alone routers on the shelves, but nary a solo modem.

My query was purely theoretical anyway.