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by Karl Plesz on October 2nd, 2007
The problem here is that the terminology has been abused to the extreme.
DSL is a type of broadband service. So is cable internet. The boxes that are provided with DSL and cable internet services are not called routers. They're referred to as modems - which unfortunately, is also a huge misnomer, but I digress.
A cable / dsl router or broadband router as it is also known, can be purchased in any computer retail store and is used in between the modem (dsl or cable) and your PC(s) to create a private network. A wireless router does the same job, just with no wires between it and the PC(s).
So we may not all be talking about the same things. Hope that helped.
by inlover on August 28th, 2009
Broadband is a very generic term that refers to all forms of high-speed Internet, including DSL and Cable Modems.
If you're shopping for a router for your DSL or Cable connection, you have three basic options.
ADSL Router: This router has an ADSL connection for its Internet/WAN port. This is designed to plug right into your DSL connection, and you'd typically buy this to avoid monthly modem rental fees from your ISP.
Cablemodem "DOCSIS" Router: This router has a cable interface for its Internet/WAN port. This plugs right into your cable, and again, you'd typically buy it to avoid paying monthly mode rental fees from your ISP.
Ethernet to Ethernet Router: This is the most common type of router, and is very likely what you're looking for. This router has a standard ethernet interface that will connect to a DSL modem or Cable modem supplied by your ISP. People usually use these for wireless capabilities, and to provide access to more than one computer.
You can check the Broadband or ADSL Connection speed using the site http://www.ip-details.com/internet-speed-test/
by Prunesquallor on May 30th, 2009
Broadband is the generic name for fast data transmission, and includes DSL.
by The Dude on October 2nd, 2007
Broadband is cable, DSL is the phone line, no you can't interchange the modems
by AntigoneRising on October 2nd, 2007
DSL is a type of broadband internet connection. You need to use a DSL router on a DSL connection. Since DSL IS broadband, you'd have a hard time using anything but broadband on a DSL service. It's impossible.
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Comments
Just commenting on Karl Plesz's answer. Considering I had the same question, your answer was plain and simple....thx.... The reason I was going to ask about Broadband and DSL is because of a certain question I needed to answer on another web site....it basically asked me which type of internet access I used at home and the 3 choices were Broadband, DSL or Dial-up....since I do not have Dial-up, either one of the other 2 choices would be sufficient then....correct?....I guess it really doesn't matter though does it?!....No worries :)
by RockinSoul24 on December 30th, 2008
Yeah, either one of the other two answers would have been sufficient as long as the web site was only interested whether you had a high or low speed connection. It really depends on the context of what they were trying to find out about your connection. If they're looking for whether you use the phone line or cable, then a more specific, correct answer is important. Ultimately, they should have given the choices as follows: dial-up, dsl broadband or cable broadband. But there were other choices too, like satellite. But now I'm rambling.
by Karl Plesz on December 30th, 2008