Should I use a Network Switch?

Ja55ie · May 5, 2020

Hello, I am wondering if getting a Network Switch would solve my issue here.

I have about 4 things connected to my Router, which is the original router/modem that I get with from my ISP (Model is Hitron CODA 4582U Router). My my IPTV box, NAS, Smart TV and Powerline adapter are connected to my router and are occupying 4/4 Ethernet ports. My IPTV box lags a lot and stutters for its video when anything else is connected to the router but when I unplug everything else except the IPTV box, then it works fine with no lag or anything.

I understand that some routers are not "powerful" enough to keep up with all the traffic that they get. We do have many devices connected to our wifi and are always streaming something. If I buy a simple network switch and connect my devices (IPTV, NAS, TV, Adapter) to it would/should this solve my problem of the lag? Since the Switch would be doing the hard work of managing the network traffic going in/out of the router.

Any input would help. Thanks!

Electronics Wizardy · May 5, 2020

Most home router has all the wan ports connected to a switch, so you basically have a switch your using already, So I don't htink adding a switch will help.

It might be a better idea to just get a better router.

Streetguru · May 5, 2020

16 minutes ago, Ja55ie said:

Hello, I am wondering if getting a Network Switch would solve my issue here.

8 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Most home router has all the wan ports connected to a switch, so you basically have a switch your using already, So I don't htink adding a switch will help.

If it's a really cheap router a cheap switch will be able to best it and do gigabit over wired lines.

my $20 router couldn't keep up, but the $10 switch I replaced it with worked fine.

Ja55ie · May 5, 2020

33 minutes ago, Streetguru said:

If it's a really cheap router a cheap switch will be able to best it and do gigabit over wired lines.

my $20 router couldn't keep up, but the $10 switch I replaced it with worked fine.

Thank you, this was just what I wanted to hear. So I assume that even a cheap network switch would be much much better than my router's own internal network switch. Hopefully this solves my lag issue.