Pros/Cons of connecting Ethernet to modem instead of router?

[Linnaeus]

Is there a difference if I connect my Ethernet to the modem directly instead of a router? Is there "better" connection in any sense?

 

[USAFRet]

Is there a difference if I connect my Ethernet to the modem directly instead of a router? Is there "better" connection in any sense?

Modem->router->PC is the preferred situation.

The router provides a few benefits.
Firewall.
IP address masking due to NAT.
The ability for more than one device.

Unless it is a REALLY bad router, speed will not be diminished at all.

 

[rhysiam]

Yeah - it just isn't going to make any real difference. Compared to the distance and number of routes that your traffic will travel once it leaves your network, the PC -> Router -> Modem but is basically irrelevant. It's a little bit like trying to improve your long commute to work by parking on the road so as to avoid the time spent on your own driveway... it's just such a tiny factor in the overall trip.

 

[jsmithepa]

As in all answer to this type, IT DEPENDS. There is no fast answer unless you provide more detailed into like modem or gateway? ethernet router or wifi router? which box is currently doing DHCP (somebody must do this job and if the modem can't then who's going do it when you remove the router?) blah-blah-blah.

Lastly unless it bothers you in some way, leave well the dog lay. It's working, don't try to fix it.

 

[nigelivey]

As in all answer to this type, IT DEPENDS. There is no fast answer unless you provide more detailed into like modem or gateway? ethernet router or wifi router? which box is currently doing DHCP (somebody must do this job and if the modem can't then who's going do it when you remove the router?) blah-blah-blah.

Lastly unless it bothers you in some way, leave well the dog lay. It's working, don't try to fix it.

DHCP isnt strictly necessary is it.

 

[jsmithepa]

DHCP isnt strictly necessary is it.

Now you are getting more complicated still. Am going to wage people who are running a purely static LAN doesn't need asking the above question.

 

[USAFRet]

As in all answer to this type, IT DEPENDS. There is no fast answer unless you provide more detailed into like modem or gateway? ethernet router or wifi router? which box is currently doing DHCP (somebody must do this job and if the modem can't then who's going do it when you remove the router?) blah-blah-blah.

Lastly unless it bothers you in some way, leave well the dog lay. It's working, don't try to fix it.

DHCP isnt strictly necessary is it.

The ISP gives you one IP address, to the modem.
The modem gives up one IP address, the same.
If the single PC is connected directly to the modem, the PC gets that public IP address.
If there were a router int he chain, that public IP only goes to the router. After that, devices get internal IP addresses, not directly routable to the outside world.

Let's assume the ISP gives you an address of 72.145.250.101
A typical port scan from outside would go to that IP.
Modem -> PC means that port scan is directly to the PC.
Modem -> router -> PC means the port scan goes to the router (and its firewall), not to the PC.

 

[rhysiam]

As in all answer to this type, IT DEPENDS. There is no fast answer unless you provide more detailed into like modem or gateway? ethernet router or wifi router? which box is currently doing DHCP (somebody must do this job and if the modem can't then who's going do it when you remove the router?) blah-blah-blah.

Lastly unless it bothers you in some way, leave well the dog lay. It's working, don't try to fix it.

I'm not sure "it depends" at all... I'm really struggling to see any possible justifications to take this route at all.

Only two I can think of
1) "Performance" -> see my first response above... it's just irrelevant for Internet traffic
2) Saving money by avoiding buying a router. I suppose maybe that makes sense, but surely just about everyone wants wireless? Even if you don't, wireless routers start at like $16 new on Newegg. When you look at the myriad of "Pros" associated with having a router, the $16 just becomes a no-brainier doesn't it?

Is there really any justification/situation where PC -> Modem makes sense, particularly for a relatively novice user who might not know how to lock their exposed PC down? I'm struggling to see one.

 

[nigelivey]

DHCP isnt strictly necessary is it.

Now you are getting more complicated still. Am going to wage people who are running a purely static LAN doesn't need asking the above question.

Not exactly complicated if it's one host?

 

[rhysiam]

Not exactly complicated if it's one host?

But if one host you'll get your IP address from your ISP anyway (and unless you've paid extra for a static IP from your ISP that's pretty much required if you want your internet to keep working). So static IPs kind of assumes multiple hosts.