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Question

HOME NETWORK

Mar 23, 2016 4:25AM PDT

Hi
Can someone please help me in the following areas since I'm brand new to setting up a home network.
1. what is the minimum bandwidth/speed that I must have on my gigabit ac router in order to stream 4k videos in home network from NAS to any WiFi enabled client? i.e. should I buy a router with total data rate of 3000+/2400/2500/ 1900/1750 Mbps?
2. If I have a main router connected to the ISP modem, access point in room 1 connected with Ethernet cable Cat 6. If the NAS is connected to the main router (link aggregation/port bundling), is it in theory the same as connecting the NAS to the AP since it is on the same LAN network. Specifically in terms of speed. Can I still stream in room 1 without buffering?
3. As mentioned earlier, if NAS is connected visa Ethernet cable to main router, at what level of the home network must the 5GHz be specified for lesser bottle neck and better streaming capabilities although lesser WiFi range. Should the NAS be set up to be broadcasted on 5GHz or the client connecting to the NAS should be connecting via the 5GHz band? I'm clueless about this. Please provide your kind reply with basic understanding of this.
Thank you for all your replies/responses in advance.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Regardless of specifications...
Mar 23, 2016 11:41AM PDT

...it is important to understand that most of this is trial and error. Often, the standard 2.4 band is what can work more effectively. Test it out using both types of networks and see which one performs better in your residence.

For example, my home network application was a 'slam dunk' regarding textbook usage of 5G, but due to unforeseen interference of metal in the walls (or something else rather odd), switching the streaming device to the 2.4 portion of the main router supplied network functioned a lot better. My devices across the house just were not seeing adequate performance for video.

Also ask your self how much of your (total) streamed content is actually 4K, especially simultaneously(!)

FWIW, I have had luck with an Asus Ac3200 router. It seems to provide plenty of flexibility to handle the whole shebang at home. Two newer iPhones that support the 'ac' standard utilize one of the two available 5Ghz networks.

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Regardless of specifications...
Mar 24, 2016 1:04AM PDT

HI Pepe
Thanks much for your response.
"My devices across the house just were not seeing adequate performance for video." - you mean on 5GHz or 2.4?
There should be a max of 1 client connected on the Access Point 1 streaming 4K from NAS connected to main router, however, there could be up to 2-3 clients connected on either the main router or Access Point 2 simultaneously streaming 4K from NAS connected to main router; all simultaneously with other usual activities like web browsing/torrents downloading/netflix streaming/skype/etc.
I want to understand what are the associated bandwidths requirements for these and as well if whether streaming from NAS on LAN requires any internet connection or internet bandwidth since clients will be connecting wirelessly. Hope I have narrated the issue clearly.
Just curious AC3200 offers 600Mbps on 2.4GHz am I right? On the other hand the router I'm looking at buying as the main router is the Asus ac rt 88u offers 1Gbps on 2.4GHz.
I am clueless what bandwidth capacity routers must I buy for the access point (2 numbers)?
Thanks a lot.

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Answer
Re: speed
Mar 23, 2016 4:48AM PDT

Just to be sure: "stream to any client" is one client, "stream to all clients" is all simultaneously. So if your whole family (you, your wife and your 8 children) want to stream 4K video to their 4K tablet at the same time, you need 10 times more speed than if you're the only user.

Can we assume you mean 'only one at the same time'?

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Re: speed
Mar 24, 2016 1:07AM PDT

Hi Kees

Many thanks for your answer.

There should be a max of 1 client connected on the Access Point 1 streaming 4K from NAS connected to main router, however, there could be up to 2-3 clients connected on either the main router or Access Point 2 simultaneously streaming 4K from NAS connected to main router; all simultaneously with other usual activities like web browsing/torrents downloading/netflix streaming/skype/etc running in the background.

Thanks a lot.