Modem routers

[AlT]

Firstly ,, please excuse my ignorance, Im only familiar with my dial up modem as I have several of them in the last year
My question is how exactly do these things work are there different models with different features,, I noticed somewhere someone mentioned using his ADSL router as a modem only. Just need to get my head around this before my line arrives. Do I still need my 56k to receive a fax
Thanks

 

[stoke]

The word modem is causing a lot of carp.
An ADSL modem works on a completely different frequency range that the traditional Anolog Modem. In fact, you can use both the ADSL and Analog modem at the same time on the same line.
You will have to keep using your Fax/Modem for faxes, the ADSL modem does not have that functionality.

 

[Darth Garth]

ADSL modem - connects to your PC via USB or Ethernet and has very limited functionality and is much cheaper.

ADSL modem/router - usually comes with a built-in 4 port ethernet switch and has more features than a modem i.e DHCP, routing, firewall, loging, port forwarding and DOS protection.

My advice would be to buy a modem/router.