I'm looking to overhaul my home network and switch to a new provider because my current setup is lagging badly. I can barely scroll through Instagram without issues, and our smart devices keep losing their connections. I have a bit of a 'man cave' in the basement with 7 smart TVs streaming shows and games, and at any given time, 2-3 of them are on. Besides the TVs, I have tons of smart devices like plugs, lights, and a thermostat. Since I work from home, reliable internet is crucial for me. Currently, we're using 3 routers on different floors of the house, which I know is not ideal, but it's what we ended up with years ago. I'm considering setting up multiple VLANs for different purposes – one for TVs and gaming, one for smart devices, one for personal use, and another for guests. I'd like a simple explanation of how to set this up along with any links for the necessary equipment. Also, I'm working with a budget of up to $300 and I want to ensure that my smart devices don't interfere with my web surfing.
2 Answers
A simple and cost-effective approach would be to use both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands of your router. Give each band a different name and connect your smart devices to the 2.4GHz band while modern devices use the 5GHz. This can help alleviate issues you're facing now. If you have ethernet cables handy, consider using them to set up a mesh network, as this can greatly improve performance. Just remember, you might need to switch your ISP's modem into bridge mode to use a dedicated mesh system.
Setting up VLANs can be a bit complicated, especially across multiple routers. Just know that while VLANs can help organize your network, they won't necessarily solve issues with overloaded routers. You'll still need to consider the capacity and throughput of your current equipment. Make sure to check how many total devices you plan to connect and the limits of each router since old routers can struggle with modern demands. It might be worth investing in a stronger router or a modern mesh network system instead of dealing with so many access points.
Sounds like a plan! I’ll give this a go when the new internet is set up and see if it helps with the delay. But for the long run, separating devices feels safer.