Question: I want to know more about my own home Internet hardware that was installed by SRT. My first question is, what’s the difference between a modem, an ONT, an access point, a switch and a router?

Answer: That’s a good question, considering these elements are all vital to your internet connection, and if they are separate pieces of hardware, they may look similar and have similar jacks and flashing lights. In many cases, SRT provides a device that incorporates all of these elements in one integrated unit, so it’s helpful to know the role each one plays. Even if they all “live” in the same unit.

A modem connects to a phone line that sends and receives information and changes it to something your devices will understand. An ONT connects to a fiber optic line that – like a modem – sends and receives information and changes it to something your devices will understand. Without a modem or ONT, you would not have a connection to SRT or the Internet.

A router works hand-in-hand with a switch and or access point to connect all of your devices to your modem or ONT and allows your devices to share the connection and possibly interact with each other. A switch provides the wired connections (Ethernet) that your devices need to plug into to share the connection. An access point provides the wireless connections (WiFi) that your wireless devices need to connect and share the Internet connection to your home. Without a router, switch or access point, you could not have multiple devices connected to the modem or ONT.