Various Router Connection Diagrams for Homes or Businesses

In this article:

1. Physical connections to modem
2. Physical Connections to router
3. ADSL / Cable modem router diagram
4. Wireless router with modem diagram
5. Business / Cisco router connections

The modem and router are two devices which are typically known as the CPE (customer premises equipment) are devices that become the first line of defense against any types of internet threats. For newbie with lack of networking knowledge, connecting modem; router and switch looks complicated. But there are view guidelines you need to follow in order to successfully create a computer network in homes or small offices in the following paragraphs.

Physical Connections to Modem

Generally people know two types of modems available for home premises: Cable modem from Cable services and DSL modem from DSL / Telco services. You should be familiar with the physical connections each of the modem as shown in the figure 1 below.

DSL modems are typically including router function and minimum they have:

1. DSL port (RJ-11 port); which connects to phone line (Telco company)
2. One or more Ethernet ports (RJ-45 port) which connect directly to the computers or a LAN Switch for expansion

There are many types of DSL modems integrate the function of router; modem; switch and wireless access point into a single compact device such as DGND-3700 ADSL dual band wireless router with Cable port.

Cable modems are typically modem-only devices which typically include:

1. Coaxial port which connects to the Cable services
2. One Ethernet port which connects to the wired or wireless router

Currently there are some all-in-one devices which include the Cable modem; the router; the switch and the wireless access point such as Surfboard SBG6580 DOCSIS 3.0 cable wireless modem.

 

Physical Connections to Wireless Router

To successfully create (wireless) computer network in homes of offices, you should be familiar with the back panel of typical a wireless router as shown in figure 2 below.

As general a (wireless) router for home consists of the following ports:

1. WAN or Internet port which is typically an RJ-45 Ethernet port. You connect this WAN / internet port to the Ethernet port of the modem
2. Four Ethernet ports which connect to the computers using UTP network cable
3. Optional USB port which is typically used to host a USB storage or printer

 

 

You can find various types of wireless routers with built-in modem in single compact devices such as DGND3700 N600 wireless ADSL modem for DSL services or Surfboard SBG6580 selectable dual band wireless cable modem.

ADSL / Cable Modem Router Connection Diagram

The figure 3 shows a common networking diagram for cable modem router – an all-in-one cable device which includes the feature of router, cable modem and a wireless access point such as Surfboard SBG6580 DOCSIS 3.0 wireless cable modem.

 

The Surfboard SBG6580 connects to the cable internet through its coaxial port, and a desktop computer connects to the LAN port of the modem. A wireless bridge with multiple ports connects to multiple home theater devices such as Blu-Ray player; XBOX console; and HDTV. They become wireless clients to the network. There are some types of modem router includes one USB port that allows you share a storage or printer to be accessible across the network.

Wireless Router and Modem Diagram

As general the wireless router connects to the modem-only device to create a wireless network. The figure 4 shows wireless router connection diagram with modem and internet connection. The diagram looks similar with figure 3 above except you need to connect the wireless router to the modem.

Business class router connection

The above router connection is typically used at home router; the business-class router has different method in connecting to the modem.

WAN connections types are normally dictated by the WAN service provider, and relate to the physical interface used by the connecting router. Numerous connection types exist, but when possible connections should be made using technologies that support higher data rates and support flexible configurations. Many carriers offer connection choices when provisioning WAN services. See also IP routing guide

The minimum requirement with regards to WAN Connections is:

• For WAN services using serial connections, V.35 serial cables are preferred over X.21 cables.
• RS-232 serial cables should only be used for low speed connections (<64 Kbps) commonly associated with analogue PSTN.
• For ISDN BRI connections, the corresponding UTP (CAT5) cable shall use a different color cable (yellow or white) to that of regular LAN cables (blue) to indicate it is a WAN connection. Equipment damage may result if an ISDN circuit is connected to a non-ISDN device.
• For ISDN connections, Terminal Adapters (TAs) shall be avoided; rather native ISDN routers should be used.
• All cabling shall be secure, documented and clearly labeled.

A suitable cable and connection type must be used to match the router and WAN carriers CSU/DSU (Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit). The CSU/DSU (also referred to as a NT or modem) provides the physical interface connection between the customer premises equipment (router) and the carrier’s line to the local loop (central office or exchange). Consult carrier documentation and router vendor documentation for cabling types and specifications.

Related post:

• Router IP address – discussing the IP address deployment on the network
• Various types of computer network diagram including home network and redundant large network diagram
• Build a home computer network with Netgear N600 router
• Home computer network with Powerline AV adapters
• Build Home Computer Network with ADSL2 Modem Router