Cable Modem, Fiber ONT & Router Basics (And What to Buy)

If you're using Lutefish for real-time music collaboration, your internet hardware matters. Here’s a simple breakdown of what each device does — and how to choose the right setup.

What’s what?

  • Modem → Connects your home to your cable internet provider

  • ONT → Connects your home to your fiber internet provider

  • Router → Creates your home network and lets your devices talk to the internet

Your Lutefish Stream must plug into your router.

What Each Device Does

Cable Modem

  • Used with cable internet

  • Converts the signal from your ISP into usable internet

  • Usually provided by your ISP (often with a monthly rental fee)

Fiber ONT (Optical Network Terminal)

  • Used with fiber internet

  • Converts the fiber optic signal into ethernet

  • Almost always installed and owned by your ISP

Router

  • Creates your home network (Wi-Fi + wired connections)

  • Assigns IP addresses

  • Handles traffic between your devices and the internet

Your Lutefish Stream should be connected:

  • Via ethernet

  • Directly to your main router

  • Not through Wi-Fi

Sometimes your modem and router are combined (one box)

Some ISPs provide a:

  • Modem/Router combo

  • Or a Gateway device (modem + router in one box)

These can work — but:

  • Combo devices sometimes have higher jitter and latency

  • They often provide less performance than a dedicated modem + router setup

For real-time music collaboration, separate devices are usually better.

What Port Should You Use?

Look for:

  • A standard RJ45 ethernet port

  • Usually labeled LAN and often yellow

Plug your Lutefish directly into:

  • A LAN port on your router

Do not plug into:

  • A WAN port

  • A port with a phone icon

Can You Buy Your Own Modem and Router?

Yes.

Many ISPs:

  • Rent equipment for $10–$20/month

  • Allow you to bring your own modem and router

Buying your own can:

  • Save money long-term

  • Improve performance

  • Reduce latency and jitter

What Modems to Avoid (Important)

Avoid cable modems using the Intel Puma 6 chipset.

These are known to cause:

  • Latency spikes

  • High jitter

  • Packet instability

This can severely affect real-time audio.

You can check models here:
https://approvedmodemlist.com/intel-puma-6-modem-list-chipset-defects/

Why Latency & Jitter Matter

Latency

  • The time it takes data to travel from one point to another

  • Measured in milliseconds (ms)

  • Lower is better

Jitter

  • Variation in latency over time

  • Causes inconsistent timing

For real-time music collaboration:

  • High latency = noticeable delay

  • High jitter = unstable audio, glitches, timing drift

Why Fiber Is Best

Fiber internet typically has:

  • Lower jitter

  • More stable upload speeds

  • Around 5–15ms lower latency than cable

If fiber is available, it is strongly recommended.

What to Avoid for Lutefish

These internet types typically have too much latency or jitter:

  • 5G home internet

  • Satellite internet

  • DSL

They may work for streaming video — but not for real-time music collaboration.

Mesh Systems & Wi-Fi Extenders

Wireless mesh systems:

  • Use multiple nodes around your house

  • Only one node is wired to your modem or ONT

  • Other nodes connect wirelessly

Important:

Your Lutefish should connect to:

  • If you have a mesh Wi-Fi setup, you must connect the Lutefish Stream to your primary mesh router (the one that's connected directly to your modem)

Wi-Fi extenders:

  • Add delay

  • Increase jitter

  • Reduce stability

Avoid using them for Lutefish.

Ethernet Distance

Standard ethernet (Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6e) can run:

  • Up to approximately 300 feet (100 meters)

If your router is far away:

  • Run a long ethernet cable

  • Do not rely on wireless

Suggested Routers

All of these support gigabit speeds and Wi-Fi 6 or better:

Suggested Cable Modems

Always verify compatibility with your ISP before purchase.