What is the difference between an external modem and router? Do I need both?

Question

This will be used to network 2 computers.

Answer 1

The router will network your two computers and the modem will connect that network to the big bad internet.  Sometimes both devices are built into the same unit, but yes, you do need both.

Answer 2

a modem makes it so that you can connect 1 thing to the internet.  you can connect a computer or a router.  A router is basically something that makes it so that you can connect more than 1 thing such as multiple computers.  You can also get the internet from the router to your computer wirelesly if you have the right router and if you have a wireless card in your router.  If you want to connect 2 computers to the internet then you do need a router most of the time.  If you know what you are doing then you don't need the router and you could just get the internet on one computer from the other computer and just have 1 computer hooked up.  Not all computers can do this and it can slow down your computer and b oth computers need to bo on at the same time to get the internet most of the time.  

I other words, yes.  You need both the modem and the router.  Think of it like this.  You have wires in the walls of your house that contain electricity.  Your modem is basically like the outlet.  You can only plug 1 thing into it.  The router is basically one of those surge protectors that let you plug like 10 things into it instead of just 1 thing.  

Answer 3

an external modem is a modem that sits outside and independently of your computer.  an external router is a device that will split the connection and allow you to run multiple wired devices off of one internet connection.  If you are trying to network 2 computer chances are you will need the modem and router.  you will need to run a wire from the modem into the router and then the 2 computer will connect up to the router.

Now some modems have a built in 4 port switch which will function just like a router.  if that is the case you will only need one devices as the two computers can connect directly to the modem.