What is the Difference Between a Gateway, Router and Modem?

Please See our KB Article: Connecting a Router to a Gateway with Bridge Mode

No matter what type of internet provider you have - satellite, cable, or fiber - you will require additional hardware to connect your wired and wireless devices to the internet. Many ISPs will provide basic equipment for your network; however, It's important to understand what type of equipment you have, especially when looking to upgrade or extend the coverage of your network

Modem: A Modem is the most basic device in your home network, converting digital signals from your devices and network into analog signals, enabling traffic transmission over phone or cable lines. Modems require a router for multiple devices and cannot provide their own wireless connection.

Router: A Router is a device that receives signals from a modem and connects your wired and wireless devices to the internet. Your router is the “brain” of your network, managing all of your network’s connections. This also allows you to configure firewalls, blacklists, and parental controls for your entire network using your router’s interface and settings. A Wi-Fi Router is required in order to provide a wireless connection to your devices. However wireless functionality is also seen in Gateways.

Gateway: A gateway serves as an “All-In-One” solution that combines the functions of both a router and a modem. A gateway receives the signal from your ISP and will then broadcast its own wireless signal for devices to connect. Gateways are often provided by your ISP. However, separate modems and routers may still be purchased and used in place of a gateway.

When connecting a TP-Link Router to a Gateway, there are specific settings that are recommended depending on your configuration. To learn more, read our knowledge base article: Connecting a TP-Link Router to an ISP Gateway

ONT (Optical Network Terminal) (Fiber Connections): While a modem deals with conversions between analog and digital signals, an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) is designed to convert fiber optic signals into digital signals for a router via a wired connection. In areas where fiber can be delivered directly to your home, you most likely have an ONT that connects your local home network to the internet.

Oftentimes, you will see additional connection options with an ONT, such as using an SFP+ connection to provide a direct fiber connection to your network’s router. SFP+ Ports are often seen on routers offering connection speeds over 1 gigabit, such as the BE800.

What is the Difference Between These Devices and an Access Point or Range Extender?

Access Points and Range Extenders are both devices designed to extend the wireless coverage of your existing network and router.

Range Extenders work by receiving and repeating signals through the Range Extender. REs can extend a network wirelessly but are only recommended when a wired connection is not an option.

Many of TP-Link’s Range Extenders offer an Access Point Mode when provided a wired connection to your router.

Access Points most often require a wired connection but can broadcast a wireless signal to extend your coverage. APs will use the settings from your main router and will forward all traffic directly to the main router of your network.

Note: Different providers support and provide different modems and gateways. Please check with your provider if you are unsure of what device you have. Some ISPs may limit functionality or configuration options, or they may require you to contact them directly to change the settings of your gateway.