Enhancing connectivity with a 2.5GB LAN upgrade
Enhancing connectivity with a 2.5GB LAN upgrade
Hello everyone. I’m planning to enhance my home network with a few priorities. First, I want to upgrade the WiFi media server on the first floor (three stories). I don’t want to run cables throughout the house. I also plan to add a 2.5GB LAN. My current setup uses an ASUS RT-AC86U located in the front right corner of the ground floor lounge, connected directly to the media server. A powerline adapter is used for a work laptop on the back left corner of the house, which needs to be wired for the company VPN. Because of the router’s placement, WiFi coverage is weaker in parts of the house. The existing configuration works okay only in some areas, but I’m aiming for smoother performance everywhere. My idea is to switch to an ASUS RT-AX86U Pro in the lounge, run a separate wire to the back room on the first floor, install an 8-port switch with two wired 2.5GB devices, three wired 1GB devices, and use the old router as an access point. This setup would support work, gaming, and media streaming. I’m wondering if this would really improve things or if I’d face other issues or bottlenecks. Anyone have suggestions that avoid running cables inside the house? I can manage with just one external cable, but I need to consider getting approval from my wife.
The only condition to consider is if any device on the routers WiFi network connects to the media server, which will consume bandwidth on that connection. If all your WiFi devices are connected through the "old router as AP," then it shouldn't be a problem.
Are you focusing only on WiFi gadgets or also including wired connections? The Xbox linked to the primary router will be wired and handle media files. The Plex server is also accessed by a few friends online.
The Xbox requires some network capacity between the router and switch, but since it’s only one device, it’s probably not a big problem—especially because it mainly affects your upload speed between them. (It’s downloading from the media box, so it’s essentially sending data to the router.) Your friends using Plex online would already be using the internet connection, which further reduces available bandwidth. Just consider the amount of traffic and its direction. Even with Blu-ray rips on Plex, the maximum usage should stay around 30Mbit.