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PaperclipPerfector  6d ago (text post)   2706 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for March 22, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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US usage seems to be inconsistent.

The technical distinction lies in whether or not the device can operate a DHCP server and provide local IP addresses to multiple clients.

If it can only provide a single public/non-local IP address to a single connected device from whatever media the ISP uses (coax, DSL, fiber, etc), it's a modem (or ONU/ONT for fiber because the fiber people get REALLY mad if you refer to an ONU as a modem 🙄 since they technically don't modulate or demodulate but they otherwise perform the exact same functions as a modem, converting <ISP media> into ethernet 🙄🙄🙄).

If it can provide DHCP local addresses to more than one client device, it's a router. Regardless of whether it broadcasts wifi or not.

If it does both things, it's a combo modem/router, typically called a "gateway" in industry.

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