fibre modem vs adsl/vdsl modem

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canterburydays

68 posts

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#177509 4-Aug-2015 23:35

Hi,
What is the difference between a fibre modem and an adsl modem.

from what I understand the ONT offloads the fibre signal to ethernet. The customer provides a device from the ONT. I would have thought anything that can handle ethernet would work. But marketing from ISP's talk about fibre ready modems.

thanks,

DarkShadow

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#1359025 4-Aug-2015 23:38

There's no such thing as a fibre modem (at least with UFB in NZ).

What they probably mean is a modem/router that supports both DSL and UFB.

canterburydays

68 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 6

#1359029 4-Aug-2015 23:43

what is the difference between an adsl modem and a UFB modem then?
The UFB does not have an adsl line input, but can the adsl not just take the UFB hand off as ethernet?

DarkShadow

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#1359036 5-Aug-2015 00:05

canterburydays: what is the difference between an adsl modem and a UFB modem then?
The UFB does not have an adsl line input, but can the adsl not just take the UFB hand off as ethernet?

There are ADSL modem that do ADSL modem stuff.
There are UFB router that do UFB router things.
There're also two in one devices that do double duty as either ADSL modem or UFB router.

If you have a model number we can tell you what it is.

Aredwood

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#1359045 5-Aug-2015 00:59

Think of an ADSL modem as 2 devices in the same box - an ADSL modem, and a router. (Which is why they are often called adsl routers) But with UFB you don't need the ADSL modem function, yet you still need a router. "fibre modem" is simply a slang term for an Ethernet router. Although ISPs normally supply ones that have an ADSL modem built in as well, So they can supply 1 model of router regardless of what type of connection you have.

If you really want to, You can plug a Windows computer directly into the ONT. And get it to connect to the net. But you need non standard settings in the computer which makes it difficult for most people. And even more difficult if you want to connect more than 1 computer, have Wifi, Connect a TV or game console. And you need a good firewall program as well if you connect a Windows computer directly to the net. (The ISP supplied router has a firewall inside it).

Far easier for the ISPs to simply supply you with a cheap router.

darylblake

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#1359060 5-Aug-2015 07:41

+ 1 to last post. Basically ADSL/VDSL are modems they take a layer 2 xDSL Signal and bridge it through to another part of the device which does the authentication (normally PPPoA in ADSL's case and PPPoE in VDSL) and provide you with a layer 3 connection (IP address). ADSL/VDSL modems will do is 2 things

1) get a DSL sync (which is like essentially bridgeing a DSL line) - basically a media converter, this part is mainly managed by the network operator in NZ's case (Chorus/Ultra fast fibre/Enable etc)

2) Authenticate you (this is the layer 2->3 authentication and routing part) - this is done by your ISP

When it comes UFB an ethernet router is all that is required. Think of the ONT as a Bridge/Media converter. Which essentially converts a fibre signal to and ethernet copper connection. So it only really has to do the second step the PPPoE Authentication part. This will give you an IP Address and connect you.

A lot of devices available these days which you see as all in one units are Ethernet Routers with modems inside them. Examples of this are things like the Fritz Box 73xx/74xx or the Innbox R51... the list goes on.

webwat

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#1363286 11-Aug-2015 23:04

canterburydays: what is the difference between an adsl modem and a UFB modem then?
The UFB does not have an adsl line input, but can the adsl not just take the UFB hand off as ethernet?

ADSL modems "modulate" an ADSL connection.

UFB modems? No such thing, somebody was trying to dumb down a more complicated answer. They meant a router with VLAN capability.

Time to find a new industry!