Modem And Its Types

A modem is a device which modulates or demodulates the signals. Modem receives digital signal from a networking device (i.e. PC, laptop) and converts it into analog signal and transmit it to ISP and vice versa. Speed is dependent on the type and cost of the using modem. Access of internet without modem is not possible. 

Need of Modem

The internet and the devices (i.e. phone, computer) hold two different signals. It means that the internet sends data in the forms of analog signal, but the computer system can only work with the digital signals. So, there need a device which can convert an analog signal to a digital signal and vice versa. So, for this purpose we use a device called modem.

Note: Modem holds just 2 ports; one is used to connect with ISP and other is connected with computer or router.

Types of Modem

The way of  data transmission and how it is installed, modem is of two major types

1. Internal Modem

It is mounted into an expansion slot of the motherboard. It is used for the dedicated computer and data transmission speed is also slow.

Internal modems are of two types

• Dial-up: it use telephone lines and requires a network access phone number and login information’s(i.e. username and login ID) to make a connection.
• Wireless (Wi-Fi): It connects wirelessly and without credentials in certain cases by using Wi-Fi.

Note: dial-up modem can work a external modem as well

2. External Modem

it is connected outside the computer system using a cable and provides a high data transmission rate. SO, it is expensive.

Some types of external modems include:

• USB Modem
• Cable Modem
• DSL (digital subscriber line) Modem
• External wireless modems

Internal Vs. External Modem

Comparison of Internal vs. External Modem is given below