Recommendations on my Home Network

[Cloaky]

Hello everyone,

I don't have much experience with networking so I decided to create this post to get some recommendations as you guys as experts.

I am updating my home network and this is the setup I want to have. I don't currently everything in the picture, but I already want to account for everything.

I will use it for

• Stream media from NAS to TVs, PCs and Tablet (0-3 simultaneously, Full HD)
• Stream media from Netflix (0-2 simultaneously, Full HD)
• Store and edit a bunch of pictures in the NAS
• Regular Web browsing, email and chatting
• Play Games on PCs (1-2 simultaneously)
• Stream music from Spotify to Sonos and Tablet (0-2 simultaneously)
• Stream music from NAS to Sonos and Tablet (0-2 simultaneously)
• Have a bunch of house automation stuff going on
• Have the IP cameras recording into the NAS

Besides all that, when friends/family come home there are usually 0-5 more devices connected into the network (Guest Wifi)

I did search a bit about which Router I should get and I got a few different recommendations, but they all focused on DLink or Asus.

• 1x D-Link AC3200
• 1x D-Link AC5300
• 1x ASUS RT-AC5300
• 1x ASUS RT-AC3200
• 1x ASUS RT-AC88U (AC3100)
• 2x ASUS RT-AC68U (AC1900)

Besides the router, I also need a switch with 16-24 ports. I have no idea which one I should go for. I was also considering connect the NAS directly into the router as some of those have link aggregation, is there any performance loss/gain?



Thanks for the help people!

 

[System Error Message]

drop the dlink.
As for asus the 3200 or 5300 or 88U will be fine depending on how many you have connected at once and how much wifi bandwidth you need.

 

[abailey]

Your diagram looks good. A decent design. The one thing I would add is I would make sure the wifi cameras are on their own wifi radio. If they are 5ghz you could do it with a tri band router like the Asus 3200. If they are 2.4ghz and you have other 2.4ghz devices you may want to get an inexpensive 2.4ghz router just for the wireless cameras.

 

[Cloaky]

Yea, everyone seems to be recommending 2x RT-AC68U. One as the main router and the other as an AP.

 

[System Error Message]

The reason why people recommend 2 is just for better coverage but if a single one has enough range than you can simply go with the AC3200. If you did use 2 AC68U you would want to disable 2.4 Ghz on one of them and its probably for assurance incase one goes down. If you are recording camera footage than it may make sense but 2 of the same routers just means it is just as likely to fail although i have never had any stability issues using consumer router wifi as AP.

 

[stevech]

Router alone or Router + Access Point (can be a mode / config of router)....
Tell us and we'll recommend:
Sq. Ft. of house
1 or 2 story
Walls are drywall vs. lath/plaster
Any outdoor areas to be covered?

 

[Cloaky]

Router alone or Router + Access Point (can be a mode / config of router)....
Tell us and we'll recommend:
Sq. Ft. of house
1 or 2 story
Walls are drywall vs. lath/plaster
Any outdoor areas to be covered?

It is around 2000 sqrf, in a single floor. Just indoor. It is an apartment.

To be honest, coverage is not a problem. I do have a DIR-655(N300) and I already have wifi in all the places I need.

I am more concerned about having too many devices in the same wireless

 

[Cloaky]

The reason why people recommend 2 is just for better coverage but if a single one has enough range than you can simply go with the AC3200. If you did use 2 AC68U you would want to disable 2.4 Ghz on one of them and its probably for assurance incase one goes down. If you are recording camera footage than it may make sense but 2 of the same routers just means it is just as likely to fail although i have never had any stability issues using consumer router wifi as AP.

What would you recommend as a AP?

 

[System Error Message]

2 AC68Us are fine, just not dlink. My main issue with dlink isnt just hardware or firmware quality but also security vulnerability.

2.4Ghz is crowded not just by computer wifi but a whole bunch of other things and it is very unlikely to find empty channels so i suggested that if you used 2 wifi APs to disable the 2.4Ghz wifi on the 2nd one. Ive used ASUS as APs and never had an issue with them but others who use consumer routers as routers seem to have issues.

 

[htismaqe]

I actually think you would do just fine with one router/AP. You don't really have that many devices. I have about 50 devices, with 10-12 active at any given time, running on one Linksys WRT1900AC. Lots of video and music streaming plus NAS traffic for file storage and backups. Pretty even split between 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz for client activity and my house is 2400sqft, one floor, with coverage everywhere.

 

[Cloaky]

2 AC68Us are fine, just not dlink. My main issue with dlink isnt just hardware or firmware quality but also security vulnerability.

2.4Ghz is crowded not just by computer wifi but a whole bunch of other things and it is very unlikely to find empty channels so i suggested that if you used 2 wifi APs to disable the 2.4Ghz wifi on the 2nd one. Ive used ASUS as APs and never had an issue with them but others who use consumer routers as routers seem to have issues.

Yea, I am set on ASUS. I did ask about it in a few forums and everyone went for ASUS.

I don't plan on buying both devices at the same time. I will buy one, set it up, and then a few months later, if necessary, I will get the second AP.

From what you saw from my needs, would I be better "future proof" with a AC3200 and then, if necessary, another AP in the future (AC68Us).

The price difference is about $50, thats why I am asking.

And Super Thanks for the help!

 

[Cloaky]

I actually think you would do just fine with one router/AP. You don't really have that many devices. I have about 50 devices, with 10-12 active at any given time, running on one Linksys WRT1900AC. Lots of video and music streaming plus NAS traffic for file storage and backups. Pretty even split between 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz for client activity and my house is 2400sqft, one floor, with coverage everywhere.

Seems like the way to go. I buy one first, and then, only if necessary a second one. Thanks!

 

[System Error Message]

speaking from a technical point of view assuming they all work well, when you need a lot of wifi traffic in a small area the AC3200 will do better if you can use 5Ghz. If you want better wifi distribution than going with 2 AC68Us would be better.

In terms of power usage the AC3200 uses less power than 2 AC68Us but uses more power from than a single AC68U.

If you go with 2 AC68Us make sure you can wire them instead of using wifi bridging.

 

[stevech]

It is around 2000 sqrf, in a single floor. Just indoor. It is an apartment.

To be honest, coverage is not a problem. I do have a DIR-655(N300) and I already have wifi in all the places I need.

I am more concerned about having too many devices in the same wireless

Don't need an AP assuming you have average ISP speeds.
If one client device hogs all your ISP's speed, it's not a WiFi problem!

 

[Cloaky]

Guys,

After reading a bunch of reviews, I have made my mind between two routers.

• ASUS RT-AC68U AC1900
  
• ASUS RT-AC87U AC2400

I will go with a single router, and then, in the future, I will get another one if needed.

The AC2400 is about 15 dollars more expensive.

Is it worth it? I saw a few complains about it..

 

[sm00thpapa]

Guys,

After reading a bunch of reviews, I have made my mind between two routers.

• ASUS RT-AC68U AC1900
  
• ASUS RT-AC87U AC2400

I will go with a single router, and then, in the future, I will get another one if needed.

The AC2400 is about 15 dollars more expensive.

Is it worth it? I saw a few complains about it..

AC68 is a more reliable and stable router. AC87 is history with the release of the AC88U.

 

[MysteriousGuy]

Guys,

After reading a bunch of reviews, I have made my mind between two routers.

• ASUS RT-AC68U AC1900
  
• ASUS RT-AC87U AC2400

I will go with a single router, and then, in the future, I will get another one if needed.

The AC2400 is about 15 dollars more expensive.

Is it worth it? I saw a few complains about it..

Get the 68U. The 87u is not the most stable router in the world.