Connect modem to router - WAN or LAN port?

[t78]

hi all,
I'm considering changing my home network setup and moving away from the ISP-supplied modem/ router combo (DSL-3780) and buying a separate router (poss Asus RT-N66U).

due to the positioning of the phone socket, the modem and router would ideally be in separate rooms. so I have a question about the physical connection between the two.

does the ethernet output from the modem have to be plugged into the WAN port on the router, or can I just connect the modem to an existing switch and have it connect to the router via my existing network using a LAN port on the new router?

ie:
MODEM > SWITCH > ROUTER (LAN PORT)
or
MODEM > ROUTER (WAN PORT)


any advice would be most welcome.

 

[Blagard]

I would say Modem > Router(WAN Port). Your Router will have a hardware firewall on the WAN before you start to send out coms to different parts of your network