Modem Vs Switch – How do they compare in speed and bandwidth?

With the growth of home internet use today, we’ll look at two of most popular network devices: the modem and switch. Take a look as we provide a comprehensive review of the two, with the major differences in functionality and use.

With all the network devices in the market today, it may be difficult to know what some devices are and what they do. This is especially true for two of the oldest and most common networking devices: modems and switches. They are devices that are mainly used for large scale networking such as schools, organizations and offices. A modem is a little device that you place beside your laptop or PC to provide you with a Wi-Fi connection. The modem is usually fitted with a small slot to place your internet service provider’s sim card.  A switch on the other hand is used to provide extra ports for wired connections. It works by sending data to where it needs to go by reading the MAC addresses of all connected devices. Because of this, you will find that a switch has a lot of ports.

What are the differences between aModem and Switch?

Modem vs. Switch – How do these devices compare?

Modems are quite different from switches and routers. In this section, we’ll look at their major features and see how they differ.

Functionality and use

A modem and switch are meant to perform different functions. Because of this, they also have different designs and hardware. A modem is a small wireless device that is used to provide Wi-Fi to PCs or laptops wirelessly. It does this by using a sim card provided by your internet service provider. All you need to do is place it next to your device and you’re good to go. A modem receives analog waves from the ISP and converts them into digital form that your computer can understand. Modems also come in three types depending on what internet connection you have. They include: cable modems, dial up and DSL modems. Cable modems as the name suggests is a wired modem that uses coaxial cables. One end is connected to the back of the modem and the other to the wall connection. It is best if you need high speed internet. On the other hand, dial up modems use phone lines to connect to your ISP. They are the oldest form of modems and are rarely used today. The final type is known as DSL and is used to connect to different plugins and other external modems and PCs. A network switch is essential and a must-have for institutions such as schools and work organizations. It is a hardware device used as a central communication for the multiple different devices connected through the many LAN ports. Switches have been used for a long time and were in use even before home broadband users became popular. They have multiple LAN gigabit Ethernet ports. Switches are categorized as consumer grade and corporate switches. Consumer grade usually allow between 4 and 8 devices to be connected while corporate switches are large and allow between 32 and 128 devices to be connected.

Connections and Ports

Since switches act like a central communication hub for all connected devices, they tend to have a lot more ports than modems. In fact, they have the most ports among all networking devices. Consumer grade switches for instance have at least four LAN Ethernet ports and maximum of 24 ports. The other type of switches are known as corporate switches. As the name suggests, they are used for large scale networking such as in schools and industries. These switches have up to 120 ports and a minimum of 32. This means you can connect a whole school to the internet using just one switch. On the other side, we have the modem. The modem is a tiny device meaning it can accommodate between one and two ports. However, this is not a downside as they are different devices used for different purposes

Supported devices

A modem and switch are very different devices in terms of hardware and functionality. A modem can only be connected to one PC using the Ethernet port. This is because it is used to provide a Wi-Fi connection to only a few devices. A switch on the other hand can connect to very many different devices provided they have an Ethernet connector. You can connect everything from computers to other switches.

Modem vs. Switch – A comparison Overview

Modem – Overview

A modem is a small device that enables the user to access the internet. It is usually provided by the internet service provider. Other modems come with sim card slots where you add the internet serviceprovider’s sim for internet connectivity. It works by converting analog signals into digital signals for that devices such as computers and smart phones can detect. Modems come with either one or two ports due to their size and functionality. Both ports are LAN Ethernet ports and can be connected to a PC. Modems can also be interconnected when need arises. Modems transmit data in form of packets and use point to point conversion to work. Furthermore, they allow only one broadcast domain unlike router where ports have their own domain. There are three types of modems: cable modems, dial up and DSL modems. They all perform the same functions with the main difference being in the internet speed and connection you need. The following are examples of two common modems used today.

Netgear CM500 Cable Modem

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To start us off, we have the most common and probably the best cable modem in the market today. As the name suggests, the router is connected to devices using a cable. The Netgear CM500 works seamlessly and provides a speed of up to 300 Mbps. This is more than enough for many internet users out there. However, if your internet plan is of a higher speed, consider buying a faster modem. One of the reasons this modem stands out is its reasonable and affordable price. The modem also comes with a one year warranty and is available on online stores and at your closest dealer. Another great feature of the Netgear CM500 is the wide range of compatibility with different internet service providers. The unit is relatively large and measures 7.3 x 4.9 x 2.4 inches. It also comes with 16 down channels and 4 up channels. The following cables are also supported by the modem: Comcast, coaxial and spectrum cable. The modem also has an LED light that is a bit difficult to see which may be a downside for some. However, at night, you will appreciate this low light.

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Arris Surfboard SB6183

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The Arris Surfboard switch is a top class cable modem that features a modern attractive design and a lots of features. Furthermore, the modem provides a wonderfully solid performance that will cater for any home internet users that do not pay for high speed service. Unlike the previous modem, this one comes with a longer two year warranty that ensures longevity of use and durability.

When it comes to design, the Arris Modem has one of the best. The modem is white in color and measures 5.2 by 5.0 by 2.1 inches in length, width and height respectively. The vertical standing design however means you will have to find a ‘long’ space to place it on. The front facing side of the router features four main LED lit controls. The controls are touch controlled. The modem also comes with serrated sides that allow for breathability and cooling of the modem. On top of this, the modem supports top cables from brands such as Comcast, Spectrum and Cox. The modem provides high speeds with an upload speed of 131 Mbps and a download speed of 686 Mbps. In addition, there are 16 down channels and 4 up channels to allow a maximum connection of 20 channels which is more than enough for home use. The Arris Surfboard is mainly known for its superb performance and should be considered when looking for a home or small office modem.

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Switch – Overview

A switch is one of the most important networking devices we have today. A switch is used to connect multiple devices into one central hub for them to be able to communicate. It is made to allow communication between different devices on the same network. You can connect anything from servers to PCs into the switch. Because of this, they come with many different type of ports. A switch uses MAC addresses to communicate with the connected devices. Furthermore, it sends data in form of packets where they are needs and therefore reducing the congestion of data on the network. This improves the security of the connected devices and also works to improve the general performance of the connected devices. It is important to note that a switch does not provide any routing capabilities. Switches also come with LED indicators for easy identification of ports and status indication. The following are two of the top switches you can use today.

Netgear Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch GS108

NETGEAR 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS108) - Desktop or Wall Mount, and Limited Lifetime Protection

• 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration needed

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It is no surprise that we have another Netgear product. The Netgear GS108 is an amazing switch that can be used for small to medium sized offices. The switch features eight ports for fast and quick gigabit connections. One of the best features of this switch however is the sturdy design and construction it uses. The GS108 has amazing durability because of this and has been reported to last for ten years without faults. The exterior is built from metal for the ultimate durable product.

The Netgear GS108 switch is also known for its great performance and this is the main reason we featured it. It can handle heavy traffic without breaking a sweat and run continuously for hours on end. It also comes with a secure Kensington lock for security and safety. The product comes with lifetime warranty and high speed. On paper, the switch states that it can reach up to 16 Gbps which is ideal for office and workplace setups. Other features include: plug and play, it comes with an internet splitter and allows you to find other switches in the network

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TP Link Fast Ethernet Unmanaged Switch

TP-Link 16 Port 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Switch | Desktop or Wall-Mounting | Plastic Case Ethernet Splitter | Unshielded Network Switch | Plug and Play | Fanless Quiet | Unmanaged (TL-SF1016D)

• Innovative energy-efficient technology saves power up to 70%
• Non-blocking switching architecture that forwards and filters packets at full wire-speed for maximum...

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TP Link has been manufacturing high quality networking products for decades and they don’t go wrong with the TP Link Fast Ethernet Switch. This fast Ethernet switch features a whopping 16 ports. The switch also comes with top class energy saving system that saves up to 70% of power. It comes with a speed of 3.2 Gbps and a capacity of 9K Jumbo frames. But perhaps one of its best features is the quietness of this machine.

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This switch is affordable and recommended for anyone on a tight budget.

Conclusion

To select the best modem, always look at the throughput speeds it provides. We recommend the NetgearCM500 switch since it has better performance. On the other hand, the TP Link Switch is a much better option due to its affordable price and large number of ports available and durability.