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Wifi vs ethernet revisited

For this discussion I want us to forget the usual problems of wifi: stuttering, buffering, loss of signal strength. Let’s assume we have a strong, reliable wireless connection. Questions: how would you rank the following:

1. [No wireless, my current config] Ethernet from router -> Switch (or OM) -> fiber -> Etherregen -> ethernet -> streamer.

2. Eero wireless mesh -> receiver -> ethernet -> streamer.

3. Eero Wireless mesh -> receiver -> ethernet -> Etherregen -> ethernet -> streamer.

Or, to really go hybrid and (probably nuts):

4. Eero wireless mesh -> receiver -> ethernet -> Switch (or OM) -> fiber -> Etherregen -> ethernet -> streamer.

I haven’t done [4] yet. But to my ears, [1] definitely beats {2] and (less emphatically maybe) beats [3] even though I have a very strong Eero wireless mesh system. Maybe my assumptions to begin with are still wrong? I can’t seem to read a good forum thread where the usual stuttering’/buffering problems (that we all know about) are removed. Thanks in advance everyone!

 

debrajray
sns
4,218 posts
 

I use Netgear XR1000, I went with this for speed, 1GB cable service, provider servers very close to me so very fast ping times. I'm familiar with Netgear software reason I went with them, just look for speed, you want low latency with entire network, optimize speed and isolation and you're gold.

debrajray's avatar
debrajray OP
65 posts
 

Thanks @sns   not to be nit picky but why the wireless? I (and probably you) would disable that anyway because of a separate mesh system. What about the MikroTik hES X instead? Ignore if this is getting too detailed. 

sns
4,218 posts
 

You need IP address for the daisy chained router being used for whole house wifi, switch doesn't provide this. Only managed switch can assign IP addresses.

debrajray's avatar
debrajray OP
65 posts
 

@sns Yes yes I understand. But I don’t need a router with WiFi for this. I need a router without WiFi not a switch.

sns
4,218 posts
 

I misunderstood, thought the Mikrotik was a switch. I presume you meant HexS model, this has SFP cage for optical. The issue with optical is not all transceivers may work with your streamer, if the SFP in that removable no problem. Best transceiver I've experienced is Finisar 1475. Back to router, I haven't done in depth comparisons on sound quality, I just look for lowest latency and always use LPS to power.

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