Is free stuff not as good as paid ones? Why do I need to connect a router when I've got a Wi-Fi optical modem for free with my broadband installation?

Have you ever noticed that the optical modem provided with home broadband installation actually has a built - in WiFi function? Mobile phones and tablets can directly connect to the wireless network through the optical modem. However, the broadband installation staff will remind us that if we want a stable wireless network, it is recommended to connect an additional router!!!

Isn't it interesting? Since the optical modem has WiFi capabilities, why do they recommend an external router?

Performance Difference: Optical Modem WiFi Struggles to Meet High - Load Demands

The core function of an optical modem is to convert optical signals to electrical signals to ensure that the broadband network signal can be smoothly connected to the home. Although it integrates a wireless network function, this is not the main design direction of the optical modem, and it has inherent deficiencies in wireless network performance.

In terms of hardware configuration, the key hardware resources such as the CPU and memory of the optical modem are primarily dedicated to core functions like optical signal conversion and data forwarding. The resources allocated to the wireless network module are extremely limited. As a result, when dealing with a large number of wireless connections and data transmission tasks, the performance of the optical modem falls short.

In contrast, professional routers are designed with wireless network coverage and data processing as their core goals. They are equipped with more powerful processors, larger - capacity memory, and high - performance wireless chips. For example, some high - end routers are equipped with quad - core or even multi - core processors, which can easily handle high - bandwidth demands such as multiple devices simultaneously playing high - definition videos or downloading large games.

In terms of signal coverage range and strength, the WiFi signal of the optical modem is also no match for that of a professional router. Due to the compact internal space of the optical modem, the design and layout of the antenna are restricted. The wireless signal it emits attenuates significantly when passing through obstacles such as walls and furniture.

In an actual home environment, especially in larger - sized apartments with many walls, the WiFi signal of the optical modem can usually only cover part of the area. Some corners or rooms far away may have weak or no signal at all. On the other hand, professional routers are usually equipped with multiple high - gain antennas and use advanced signal amplification and beam - forming technologies, which can effectively enhance the signal strength and expand the coverage range, achieving full - house signal coverage even in complex home environments.

Function Limitation: Optical Modem WiFi Struggles to Meet Diverse Demands

In addition to the performance gap, the WiFi function of the optical modem also has obvious limitations in terms of functionality. The application scenarios of modern home networks are becoming increasingly rich, and the demand for network functions is also becoming more diverse. However, the function settings of the optical modem WiFi are relatively simple and difficult to meet these complex requirements.

In terms of network management functions, the setting interface of the optical modem is often complex and not intuitive, making it difficult for ordinary users to operate. Moreover, the adjustable parameters and function options are limited, and it is impossible to achieve refined network management. For example, the optical modem usually does not have a traffic control function, so it cannot allocate and limit the Internet traffic of each device. This may result in individual devices occupying a large amount of bandwidth, affecting the Internet experience of other devices. In addition, the optical modem lacks a device management function, and users cannot effectively monitor and manage the devices connected to the network, making it difficult to identify and prevent illegal device access.

In contrast, professional routers have rich network management functions. Users can easily perform various network management operations through a simple and intuitive setting interface. For example, through the QoS (Quality of Service) function, users can allocate bandwidth and set priorities for each device according to different application scenarios, ensuring the smooth operation of important applications (such as video conferencing and online games). At the same time, the router also supports the parental control function. Parents can set the time period for their children to access the Internet, the websites and applications they can visit, effectively protecting their children's Internet safety and health. In addition, the router also has various practical functions such as device management, guest network, and port forwarding, which can meet the diverse network management needs of users.

Stability Issue: Optical Modem WiFi is Prone to Interference from Multiple Factors

Network stability is one of the key factors affecting users' Internet experience, and there are certain hidden dangers in the stability of the optical modem WiFi. Since the optical modem undertakes multiple complex tasks such as optical signal conversion and data forwarding, it generates a large amount of heat during operation, causing the device temperature to rise. If the heat dissipation conditions are poor, the performance of the optical modem will be affected, leading to problems such as unstable wireless network signals and disconnections.

In addition, the WiFi function of the optical modem shares hardware resources with other functions. When the optical modem processes a large number of data forwarding tasks, the wireless network module may experience performance degradation due to insufficient resources. For example, when downloading large files or watching high - definition videos, the CPU and memory usage of the optical modem will increase significantly. At this time, the WiFi signal may become unstable or even disconnect.

Professional routers have obvious advantages in terms of stability. They adopt an independent hardware design, and the wireless network module is relatively independent of other functional modules, reducing mutual interference. At the same time, routers are usually equipped with a perfect heat dissipation system, which can effectively reduce the operating temperature of the device and ensure its long - term stable operation. In addition, routers also have functions such as automatic restart and fault diagnosis, which can promptly detect and solve network faults, further improving network stability.

Security Protection: Routers Provide More Comprehensive Network Security

In today's increasingly severe network security situation, the security protection of home networks is crucial. The optical modem WiFi has certain deficiencies in security protection. Its default security settings are relatively simple and are vulnerable to network attacks and intrusions.

Professional routers are equipped with more comprehensive security protection functions. In addition to supporting common encryption methods such as WPA2 and WPA3 to ensure the secure connection of the wireless network, they also have a firewall function, which can filter and detect data packets entering and leaving the network, effectively preventing network security threats such as hacker attacks and virus propagation. In addition, the router also supports functions such as MAC address filtering and IP address filtering. Users can restrict specific devices or IP addresses from accessing the network according to their actual needs, further improving network security.

Summary

In summary, although the built - in wireless network function of the optical modem provides users with a certain degree of convenience, it has many deficiencies in terms of performance, function, stability, expandability, and security protection. Professional routers, with their powerful performance, rich functions, stable operation, good expandability, and comprehensive security protection, can better meet the diverse network needs of modern families, bringing users a better, more stable, and safer Internet experience.

This is why many people still choose to separately equip a router after installing an optical modem with WiFi function. As the demand for home networks continues to upgrade, the importance of professional routers in home networks will become increasingly prominent.

This article is from the WeChat official account "PConline Pacific Technology", author: Liu Xiaohui. Republished by 36Kr with permission.