Difference Between Configuring Modem in Bridge Mode and PPPoE Mode

As I mentioned in my old posts, I started my career in computer networking as a SOHO consultant. In the first few months, we were assigned to configure Local Networks in small offices. During the period the first thing I learned was the differences between configuring a DSL modem in bridge mode and PPPoE mode. It is because the mode of modem configuration entirely affects the router configuration. You need a dialer to access the Internet if you configure the modem in bridge mode.

Then every time you must enter the Username and Password provided by ISP. If your modem is in PPPoE mode, the connection is always on. It means you do not need to use any dialer to access the Internet.

Below you can see a summary of differences between a modem in bridge mode and PPPoE mode.

Differences Between PPPoE Mode and Bridge Mode

1. Bridge Mode Supports only one computer, but PPPoE supports multiple computers
   
   
2. In bridge mode, you need to dial every time to connect Internet. PPPoE mode is always connected.
   
   
3. PPPoE is more secure than bridge mode.
   
   
4. In Bridge mode, there is no need for port forwarding. In PPPoE mode, you may need port forwarding
   
   
5. PPPoE mode supports NAT. There is no NAT in bridge mode.
   
   
6. The computer connected to the modem in bridge mode gets the public IP address. Your computers get private IP addresses in PPPoE mode.

The most important difference between PPPoE mode and bridge mode is the number of computers supported in each mode. We can connect only one computer to a modem configured in bridge mode.

Since PPPoE mode supports NAT, we can connect multiple computers to a modem in PPPoE mode. Computers connected to the modem in PPPoE mode can access the Internet directly because the modem has the ISP username and password saved.

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The computer connected to a modem setup in bridge mode need you to log in with username and password provided by ISP and dial to access the Internet every time. A modem in PPPoE mode can work as a router with feature like NAT, Firewall, DHCP, etc.

With these additional features modem in PPPoE mode is more secure than a modem in bridge mode. You may need to perform port forwarding on a modem configured in PPPoE mode for the proper working of certain applications. You do not need to do port forwarding on modems in bridge mode.

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As per the above post, we can see it is better to configure your modem in PPPoE mode unless you have other priorities. In case if you want to learn a practical example to configure a DSL modem in PPPoE mode, click on the link below.
How to Configure Reliance DSL Modem in PPPoE Mode

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If you are looking for another practical example to configure a modem in PPPoE mode, follow the link below.
How To Configure BSNL Modem in PPPoE Mode