Router Basics: Types, Functions and Setup Tips

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Interested in a particular topic? Click on the links below to hop right down!
 

🤔 How Broadband, Routers and Wi-Fi Work Together (Up next!)

• What is Broadband?
• What are Modems?
• What are Routers?
• What is Wi-Fi?

🆚 Fibre vs. Cable Internet

• What's the Difference?
• Modems vs. Routers

🆚 ONT vs. ONR

• What is an Optical Network Terminal (ONT)?
• How does an ONT work?
• What is an Optical Network Router (ONR)
• How does an ONR work?
• How to know if you're using an ONT or ONR?

🛠️ Optimising Router Coverage and Performance?

• How to Set Up Your WiFi Router at Home
• 4 Easy Tips to Improve Router Coverage

🤔 How Broadband, Modem, Routers & Wi-Fi Work Together

To understand how we stay connected in today’s world, we first need to understand the role of broadband, routers, and Wi-Fi and how these elements work together to ensure a seamless internet experience:
 

🌐 What is Broadband? 

Broadband is the internet service provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Think of it like the highway that carries the internet to your door. Whether it’s fiber, DSL, or cable, broadband provides the speed and bandwidth needed for different online activities.

• Speed determines how fast you can load websites or stream videos
• Bandwidth is the amount of data that can flow at once.

The higher both are, the better your experience with everything from browsing the web to streaming your favourite shows.

📡 What are Modems? 

A Modem takes the broadband signal coming from your ISP and converts it into a digital signal that can be understood by your router.

🛜 What are Routers?

The router then takes the internet signal from the modem and distributes it throughout your home. It can do this through cables (Ethernet) or wirelessly (Wi-Fi), which is where the term "Wi-Fi routers" comes about, ensuring every device in your home has an internet connection.

📶 What is Wi-Fi?

As mentioned, if your router is a "Wi-Fi Router", it creates a local wireless (Wi-Fi) network using radio waves. This eliminates the need for physical cables, allowing you to access the internet freely on devices like your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, no matter where you are in your home.

Putting It All Together

🆚 Fibre vs. Cable Internet

Before exploring the specifics of modems and routers versus ONTs and ONRs, it’s essential to understand the key differences between cable and fibre internet. Below, you can find a brief description of the devices needed for each internet type, followed by the specific distinctions between them.
 

Which Devices Do You Need?

Cable Internet:

• You will need both a Modem and a Router - the modem connects to your ISP and the router distributes the internet to your devices.

Fibre Internet:

• Requires either an ONT (Optical Network Terminal) and a Router or an ONR (Optical Network Router) that combines both ONT and router functions.
  

🆚 Modems vs. Routers

If you're using traditional cable-based internet

So, while most people use these 2 words interchangeably, they are not the same thing!
 

📡 Modem

A modem is what connects your home network to your ISP's server. It takes the signals from the ISP's server and converts it into a form that your devices at home can use. 
 

There are 3 common types of modem connections:

• Dial-up Modem
  Think of this as the internet’s vintage era. A dial-up modem connects to your ISP through a phone line, making those classic "beeps" and "boops" as it dials. It’s painfully slow by today’s standards and has mostly been replaced by faster options like broadband.

• DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Modem
  If you’ve ever used a landline phone and internet simultaneously, you’ve likely experienced DSL. This modem also uses phone lines but delivers much faster speeds than a dial-up connection - making it a huge upgrade for many households when it first arrived.

• Cable Modem
  This is the conventional option for most households today. Here, a cable modem connects to your ISP via a cable TV line, offering reliable speeds for Web surfing, online gaming, streaming, and more.

🛜 Router

However, while modems bring the internet into your house, they're not able to share it with your devices on their own. This is where your router comes in.

It takes the converted signals from your modem and distributes it to your devices at home. This distribution is what constitutes your "home network".
 

Broadly, there are 2 main types of Routers:

• Wired Routers
  A wired router connects to a modem using an Ethernet cable and relies on additional cables to link devices within the network. These routers create a LAN (Local Area Network) where each device connects directly to the router. While less convenient than wireless routers, wired routers provide a stable and secure connection, making them ideal for gaming or streaming in high-definition.

• Wireless Routers
  A wireless router connects to a modem via an Ethernet cable and transmits data wirelessly using radio waves. It does this by converting binary code into radio signals, which are broadcast through antennas. Wireless routers don’t create traditional Local Area Networks (LANs). Instead, they establish Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) that let multiple wireless devices connect, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. However, many wireless routers still feature Ethernet ports, allowing users to physically connect their devices if needed.

🆚 ONT vs. ONR

If you're using modern fibre-optic internet.

For fibre internet, the equipment needed is slightly different. Instead of a modem and router pair, you will either use an ONT in place of the modem, or an ONR by itself. Let’s break it down:

What is an Optical Network Terminal (ONT)?

An Optical Network Terminal (ONT) is a key device in fibre-optic internet setups. Think of it as the fibre network’s version of a modem. While traditional modems work with cable-based networks, ONTs are specifically designed for fibre-optic connections, which are now common in many Singaporean households thanks to advancements like the Nationwide Broadband Network.
 

👉 Beyond 277.57 Mbps: Singapore's Nationwide Broadband Network 
 

🔍 How does an ONT work?

When your internet service provider (ISP) sends data over fibre-optic cables, that data travels as light signals. Devices like your computer or smartphone can’t interpret light signals directly. This is where the ONT steps in - it converts light signals into electrical signals that your home network and devices can understand.

What is an Optical Network Router (ONR)?

An Optical Network Router, or ONR, is a special type of router that is specifically designed to work with fibre-optic cables and can be connected directly to them. Conventionally, you would first have to plug these cables into the ONT, but with an ONR, you won't need to do so.
 

🔍 How does an ONR work?

Similar to how an ONT works, the ONR interacts with your ISP’s fibre network by converting light signals transmitted over the fibre-optic cables into electrical data. The main difference is that an ONR does both the signal conversion and distribution in one device, meaning it directly connects to your ISP’s network and broadcasts the internet signal to your devices.

🕵️‍♂️ How to know if you're using an ONT or ONR?

Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection Type

Confirm with your ISP whether you have a fibre internet connection, since ONTs and ONRs are not used with cable or DSL formats. 

Step 2: Locate the Main Internet Device

• Locate the device that your fibre cable(s) connects to. Typically, this will be installed near your access point—that is, where the fibre-optic cable enters your home.
• Fibre cables are thin and usually transparent or white.

Step 3: Look at the Device Labels

Most devices are labeled clearly. Check for terms like:

• ONTs: Often labeled as such or described as a “fibre modem.”
• ONRs: May have “router” explicitly in its name or specifications.

Step 4: Examine the Device Ports

• ONTs: Typically have one or more Ethernet ports and a fibre-optic port where the fibre cable connects.
• ONRs: Have multiple Ethernet ports for connecting devices and may also have built-in Wi-Fi antennas.

Step 5: Check for a Separate Router

• If you see a separate router connected to your device, it’s likely you are using an ONT.
• If there’s no separate router and your device has Wi-Fi capability, you’re likely using an ONR.

🛠️ Optimising Router Coverage & Performance

Now that we’ve explored what routers do and the types available, let’s focus on maximizing your router’s coverage and performance at home. 

The first step to optimizing your router’s performance starts with a proper setup. Let’s dive into how to get your router up and running smoothly.

🔧 How to Set Up Your WiFi Router at Home?

Setting up broadband at home is usually a breeze with StarHub. All our broadband plans come with pre-configured routers, and our Hub Troopers are ready to assist with installation. But if you'd like to handle it yourself, here’s everything you need to know to get started!

👉 Fibre Broadband Home Essentials

🌟 4 Easy Tips to Improve Router Coverage

Now that your router's in place, let's move on to optimisation. Generally, there are loads of factors that can impact your router’s performance, but for now, here are four simple day-to-day tips you can use to help your router operate at its best!

1. Place Your Router in an Elevated and Central Location 🏔️
A centrally placed router, away from walls and obstructions, ensures even coverage throughout your home. Elevating the router— like placing it on a shelf or mounted on a wall—can also help the signal travel more efficiently.

2. Avoid Interference ⚠️
Devices like microwaves, cordless phones, and thick walls can interfere with your WiFi signal. Keep your router away from these potential disruptors where possible.

3. Set Up Strong Passwords and Login Credentials 🔒 
Change your router’s default login credentials and update them regularly. Adding a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters will help you better safeguard your network.

4. Keep Firmware Updated 📥
Regularly updating your router’s firmware fixes security vulnerabilities and helps ensure smooth performance. Rebooting the router occasionally can also resolve minor issues and glitches that might impede performance.

Interested in more optimisation tips? Check out our helpful WiFi Tips article below.

👉 Why is My WiFi Slow? Tips to Boost Speed, Signal, and Fix Disconnections

Get the Best Routers with StarHub!

Whether you’re setting up a home office, streaming in 4K, or gaming with friends, having the right router can truly take your experiences to the next level. From optical network routers that offer lightning-fast speeds to mesh-based systems that provide whole-home coverage, these devices play a key supportive role in our fast-paced digital lifestyles.

With the right router and a few optimization tips, you can unlock faster, more reliable connections for every corner of your home. Ready to elevate your online experience? Visit our Broadband page now to explore our latest broadband plans and router options. StarHub is here to keep you connected effortlessly—every step of the way.

This article was originally published on 14 Oct 2024 and updated on 11 Dec 2024.