DSL, but we have a router. I guess that can be considered a modem.
-420
Actually a router is different from a modem as well. Usually, if you have DSL, somewhere in your house or outside there is a box that the phone line goes into, typically that's your DSL Modem. We used to have a small box that set next to our router, but then after the cables and service got upgraded, they took the old box and we got a big box that is mounted on the wall in the basement. Some routers act as a modem and a router at the same time, but they need to be built to function in that manner. Not all routers are capable of that. It may be a little different in California than it is up here, simply because of high population. Also, closeness to your ISP is a factor. I know at my fathers store in town, they don't have a modem in-store, but the ISP right there in town. Out here, typically every household gets their own modem (not sure about in town), I'm not sure how that would work in an apartment building either. From having a general idea as to where Mo lives, it wouldn't strike me as odd if he would have his own modem.
From my knowledge, it goes something like this: ISP > DSL Modem > Router > Computer, Switch, Router, or Hub and then from the second router, switch, or hub, you can obviously map out more computers.
Here's a wiki link... it's probably better than my limited knowledge on the subject.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSL_modemAt my place, we're planning on getting a second switch, and moving the router into an out-of-the-way location. The cable from the modem would reach all the way to the router across the ceiling of the basement. Then from the router, we would be connecting one switch via cable further out in the basement, so it's easy to relocate it and all of the computers in the basement can connect to it instead. Then we would run a second switch via cable through the ceiling to the upstairs, and then that switch could be relocated as well, and any computers etc. could be connected through that switch. The other two ports in the router could then be left open for future networking. I'm not sure if that plan will work flawlessly or not, but it sounds good. Helps that I'm using Tomato firmware on my router too. Especially in the case of torrenting while other people are using the net.
