Let's figure out what it is!

What is it called?

  • Router

    Votes: 14 70.0%

  • Modem

    Votes: 1 5.0%

  • Gateway

    Votes: 2 10.0%

  • None of the above

    Votes: 3 15.0%
  • Total voters
    20
Rommelbutt

Rommelbutt

Just A Butt: Big Fart
kiwifarms.net
Joined
Sep 14, 2020
You all know that little device you get from your ISP that does it all: Ethernet, WiFi, Firewall, DHCP, etc. But what is it actually called?
 
It's a router(firewall), a bridge, a wireless AP, a DHCP server and a gateway all in one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Geranium
1684068028623.png

It is a router, and i have the consensus to back me up :smug:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pissmaster, FuckedOffToff and Another Char Clone
The OEMs actually manufacturing these things interchangeably call them both Gateway and Router.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Geranium
roombutt said:
are you for real? They can't decide on a fucking name themselves?
Click to expand...
Look some models up at Sagemcom or whoever's site if you don't believe me. "The blabla is a top of the line router combining features as diverse as " on the product blurb, "The blabla Internet Gateway does " in the manual, and so on.

I would call it a router (with integrated gateway) if it connects to a fibre modem, or a modem with integrated router if it's DSL or cellular. I've also seen them called "ISP trash" by networking professionals, which is pretty descriptive.
 
snov said:
Look some models up at Sagemcom or whoever's site if you don't believe me. "The blabla is a top of the line router combining features as diverse as " on the product blurb, "The blabla Internet Gateway does " in the manual, and so on.

I would call it a router (with integrated gateway) if it connects to a fibre modem, or a modem with integrated router if it's DSL or cellular. I've also seen them called "ISP trash" by networking professionals, which is pretty descriptive.
Click to expand...
My ISP calls it a fibre modem. I would like to have a universal word for it.
 
It's actually called a SOHO, or small office home office device. It does everything needed for a personal environment and is set up ready to plug in and go out of the box so that any end user can get it going.

They also include some tools for more advanced users to kind of customize their network, but are clearly limited when compared to a dedicated device. SOHO is, by most accounts, the most accurate and used term in the field for these one shop devices.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: Rommelbutt and The Mass Shooter Ron Soye
I reserve "gateway" specifically for the chinesium boxes your ISP tries to make you rent for $30/month.
The real scam of it is that they won't provide tech support if you don't have their "gateway", so if your friends aren't computer-literate, either you become their IT department or they just have to pay up.
 
Calling it a "gateway" would be ambiguous, because every modern modem/router has a "gateway" IP address you can access to configure its software settings. Even Windows/Linux/Mac OS's call it the "gateway IP."

The most accurate/authoritative description I can come up with is "Modem/Router Combo Unit."

That said, around normies, you can usually just say "router" or "modem" and they'll bring you to this exact same piece of equipment you're thinking of.
 
The term 'Gateway' and 'Router' are used interchangeably these days. But a gateway is just an interface that a node is sending packets to in order to reach another network. That can be an outside network, or a virtual/internal network. It does not necessarily need to be a router that needs to handle this traffic. Proxy servers can be used as gateways. When you are using your phone as a hotspot, it is the acting gateway. This is just how it is referred to in the TCP/IP stack. A router is the thing actually sending the packets where they need to go. A router can be set up to work with different routing protocols and are an 'edge' device. Meaning they route and handle traffic directly from the Internet.

On a SOHO, they are commonly referred to as routers or gateways, although it is more of just a gateway than a router. The amount of routing it does is when it receives a packet, it compares the IP to it's internal stack, determines "yup it's going to the Internet", and sends it out the pre-programmed default route. But since it has a firewall, switch, AP, and minimal routing functionality, it is more than just a gateway.

Cisco documentation refers to it as a 'SOHO Router:'
IMG_20230514_101359553~2.jpg
These terms have been mixed and thrown around as an easy explanation to the market. But if you are looking into the actually networking side of the field, calling a device a router or a firewall has a very different meaning.

In short, if you are talking to normies, it is a router. If you are talking to low level techs, it is a router. If you are talking to anyone involved with networking, they will understand it as SOHO.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: Rommelbutt
I call it a piece of shit and put it into modem mode so I can use my own router instead.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back