Question about Multi-Band Routers - NetGear Nighhawk

rushil01 on 29/08/2016 - 15:29

Hi guys,

I have a quick question about the use of multi-band routers. I'm thinking about buying a 5Ghz router (such as one of the NetGear Nighthawk series) as the wifi speeds are a bit slow at times in my house. I suspect that this is due to wireless congestion and am hoping that this may solve the issue. The problem I'm thinking is that some of my devices are not going to be 5ghz compatiable so they will need to connect to the 2.4Ghz signal. How will this impact any local wireless networking I have?

I run a plex server from my computer. If I connect my computer to the 5Ghz signal, will my 2.4Ghz chromecast 1 still be able to stream locally? Will I still be able to cast from my phone to an apple tv or chromecast if one is connected to 2.4Ghz and the other 5Ghz?

This is the router I was considering buying:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Netgear-Nighthawk-R8000-AC3200-Wi…

Computing

Comments

  • Domingo on 29/08/2016 - 15:51

    Yes, it doesn't matter which band a device is connected to, it can connect to a device on another band, or any of the wired LAN ports.

    Think of each device connected to the WiFi as connected to a LAN cable, regardless of the band

  • Master Bates on 29/08/2016 - 16:12

    Depending on where your devices are located in relation to the router, it is worth bearing in mind that, "5GHz signals don’t travel as far and don’t penetrate walls as efficiently as 2.4GHz signals (this is because waves attenuate faster at higher frequencies)". (Source)

  • supnigs super skids on 29/08/2016 - 17:28

    I have the same router. It's really good at hogging multichannels to your benefit. It can also make everyone else around you slow.

  • Diji1 on 29/08/2016 - 18:36

    How will this impact any local wireless networking I have?

    There won't be an impact: there are two (three? - I have the R7000 rather than the R8000) radios, one is 2.4Ghz and one is 5GHz. The 5Ghz connection will use one radio and the 2.4Ghz connection will use the other.

    I run a plex server from my computer. If I connect my computer to the 5Ghz signal, will my 2.4Ghz chromecast 1 still be able to stream locally? Will I still be able to cast from my phone to an apple tv or chromecast if one is connected to 2.4Ghz and the other 5Ghz?

    Yes.

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