Switching to Gigabit and possibly 5 GHz Wi-Fi on a limited budget...
Switching to Gigabit and possibly 5 GHz Wi-Fi on a limited budget...
In short, I manage a modest network with a server built from an old Acer Aspire 4253 laptop. My main link depends on a TP-Link TL-WR840N on WISP, which came from my boarding home’s CPE AP and has performed well for my needs (CasOS, Jellyfin for one user, Home Assistant, etc.). Until I needed to download large files onto the server remotely—after setting up the server to run 24/7—I was fine. My current router handles everything smoothly, reaching nearly 100 Mbps.
However, after downloading a massive amount of data onto the server, I now have to transfer files between my PC and the server. To be honest, my router is still doing its job well, handling near-maximum speeds. But the real issue started when I uploaded huge files to my server. Now I’m moving data back and forth between my laptop and the server.
My router operates on the same 2.4 GHz channel as the CPE AP, which sometimes causes minor hiccups—like needing to disconnect and reconnect the internet on my phone. It’s also prone to interference from Bluetooth when I turn it on, especially with my soundbar. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth seem to clash.
If possible, upgrading to 100 Mbps or more would help. My TP-Link router shares the same channel as the CPE AP, leading to occasional disruptions. It’s running on 2.4 GHz, so I sometimes experience Wi-Fi issues when using Bluetooth on my soundbar (my phone disconnects and struggles to reconnect).
I’m considering switching to a 5 GHz router if it’s worth it. There are a few options I’ve seen:
1. D-Link DGS-1005C Gigabit Switch – 2 ports, 10/100 Mbps.
2. TP-Link Arista 660G – 4 ports, gigabit speeds.
3. Linksys dual-band router – good for dual-band but limited to one band.
I also looked into a few budget-friendly choices I found online, including a D-link switch and a Cisco router with Gigabit capabilities. All of them are secondhand, as mentioned in the links.
In summary: I need faster connectivity—ideally 1000 Mbps or more—and a better setup to handle both data transfers and device communication without interference.
For LAN connections I’m thinking about. Your speed test indicates you’re running a NIC that supports gigabit speeds, reaching up to 100Mbps. The main limitation might be your wireless bridge—most older models are from the "Fast Ethernet" era—or the WR840N which offers only 10/100Mbps. Wireless bridges must share the same channel for a connection to function, so that’s not a big concern. Using 2.4GHz is likely to cause interference from other devices broadcasting on that frequency. Bluetooth operates in the same band, so interference isn’t unexpected. Overall, it looks fine. Avoid ONTs; they’re meant for ISP termination points at home and aren’t typically used as routers or APs. The WRT320N received good reviews back then. However, you can only choose either 2.4GHz or 5GHz, not both simultaneously. Wireless performance is average, though 5GHz might underperform compared to expectations. If you care about speeds between LAN and WAN, you won’t exceed around 165Mbps, even with gigabit ports.
Well, they won't be adding more 2.4G Wi-Fi anymore. The boarding house already has all the non-overlapping channels (1, 6, 11) because they're using three APs. That's why I'm seeing 5GHz. Probably the most data I stream is when watching content on my local Jellyfin, which runs from 720p to 1080p videos. I don't mind LAN-to-WAN speeds either—still important for better streaming performance with Jellyfin at least. I won't be transferring large files via LAN-to-WAN anyway; I have spare Cat 5e for that. That's what I found, around $2 extra https://www.tokopedia.com/dibawahlangit/...rnet-bekas
Yes, you can insert a budget-friendly switch between your computers and your wireless bridge.
It should be a more reliable option to use Ethernet cables because they work well over shorter distances!
This upgrade is really focused on boosting performance, even showing up on some marketplace listings. I own a used Tenda AC9 router from China Telecom. It functions well—supports Gigabit LAN and 5GHz. Plus, Wi-Fi 5 delivers the expected speed, significantly improving my wireless connection.