Any advantage to using a router over a modem?

A "modem", whether it's cable modem or DSL modem converts the analog signal coming from your internet service provider (ISP) into digital signal that your computer or router could understand.

"USB modems" are used for "Mobile Internet", i.e., you'll be able to take that USB modem anywhere you want and get Internet access. It's like using Internet on your "smart phone".

A "router" allows you to

▪ Create a home network and split that Internet connection so that you can share it with all your devices on your network.

▪ Having a home network means that you can share files between the devices on your network

▪ You can connect a "Network Attached Storage" (where you can backup your files) and a "network printer" that you can share with other members of your household.

▪ Routers have hardware firewall, and you can setup a secured wireless network, if you have a "wireless router".

▪ Some routers have USB port, where you can attach your "external HDD" and backup your files.

If you are planning on purchasing a router, read my answer in this thread: http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ai...

Note that some ISPs provide modem/router in one unit. E.g., SMC D3GN. If you have a wireless router of your own (e.g., Linksys WRT160N), then you can get them to disable the wireless functionality of that modem/router and use their unit as a modem. They'll be able to do this from their end through their system. With my ISP, all it took was a simple phone call. I have found that these modem/router, i.e., SMC D3GN, do not have the rich features that a wireless router you would purchase, i.e., Linksys WRT160N that I use.

If you plan on sharing your Mobile Internet service on your home network, then you should look into "D-link DIR412":

http://www.dlink.ca/products/default.aspx?pid=DIR-...

http://www.dlink.com.my/products/?idproduct=438&id...

if you're trying to connect to internet with your system using a router, i would say that is a bad idea.

Modem=modulation+demodulation

Router= routes...

Router has built in firewall and you can use it to connect multiple computers/ devices to the internet at the same time without having to go through your other computer.