Differences Between an Optical Modem and a Router

(1) Optical modem
Operators usually connect your home to the Internet via an optical fiber. The optical fiber connects to the optical modem. That is why you may find an optical port on the optical modem. Put simply, an optical modem converts the optical signals transmitted in the optical fiber to electrical signals transmitted in network cables.


Most optical modems support two Internet access modes: router mode and bridging mode.
Router mode: Also known as dialing mode. When configuring the network access, the operator has already completed the dialing settings. You can access the Internet without dial up again.

Bridging mode: You need to manually dial up for Internet access for devices connected to an optical modem, whether it is a computer or router. This is dial-up Internet access via optical modem: entering your broadband username and password when setting up the router.
Necessity of a router when an optical modem has wireless routing functions.
Wireless networks using an optical modem are not stable. Therefore, these networks can connect only a few devices and connections are easily interrupted. The Wi-Fi signals are weak. They become even weaker after passing through walls. In this case, you may not be able to connect to the Internet. In addition, network management is difficult in this mode.

2. Router
(1) You can connect to a router via wired connection (100/1000M network cables) or wireless connection (Wi-Fi). Also, a router allows more devices to connect compared with an optical modem. Routers are mainly used for the transmission and distribution of network signals. It routes data packets according to the IP address just like express delivery enterprises deliver packages according to the addresses.
(2) Take one example to describe the mechanism of a router. In your home, you and your parents use the Internet via a router. When connected to the router, your phones will be allocated IP addresses192.168.110.1, 192.168.110.2, and 192.168.110.3. You dad tries to open Facebook using a web browser on his phone. The router receives a request from the IP address 192.168.110.3 and notifies the optical modem. The optical modem converts the message to an optical signal and sends the request to the operator data center. The data center forwards the request to Sina Weibo's server cluster. After receiving the request, the cluster sends the Sina Weibo UI data to the data center. The data center sends the data to the optical modem via the optical fiber. The optical modem sends the data to the router via a network cable. The router checks the IP address and returns the data to your dad' sphone. Requests to open other websites may be raised as well. Similarly, the router returns the correct data based on the IP address.