Network question: router or switch?

[Lange_666]

When it comes to PC's, networking and everything that comes with it is my weakest link.

Little history:

Old setup
Rift-S VR headset with display port
Old setup:
- Modem/Router (Docsis 3.0) located in garage <--> ethernet cable <--> PC
- Headset connected to USB 3.0 and display port

 

New setup
Pico 4 VR headset which is standalone
1st setup:
- Modem/Router (Docsis 3.0)  located in garage <--> ethernet cable <--> PC
- Headset <--> Wifi <--> Modem/Router (Docsis 3.0)

Problems:
- Modem/Router to far away to get stable Wifi signal to headset. Signal mostly strong enough but lots of fluctuations.
- 5 other devices share the same wifi connection.

 

2nd setup:
- Modem/Router (Docsis 3.0) <--> ethernet cable <--> Linksys router on desk <--> ethernet cable <--> PC
- Headset <--> Wifi <--> Linksys router

Problems:
 - Wifi connection much more stable but still fluctuations in signal although wifi router allmost next to headset and even if it's the only device connected to the router.

 

3th setup:
- Modem/Router (Docsis 3.0) <--> ethernet cable <--> Linksys router on desk <--> ethernet cable <--> PC
- Headset <--> USB-C cable <--> PC
In this case the linksys router isn't really needed since the needed initial wifi connection to get going can go over the modem/router in the garage.
This gives a steady 1200Mhz connection.

Problems:
- Connection with USB-C link, need to swith on/off USB thetering, use ADB commands (through bat file), windows creates a new network each time this happens which needs to be set to private, need to turn wifi off after that, all of this is a bit clumsy.

 

4th setup:
- Modem/Router (Docsis 3.0) <--> ethernet cable <--> Linksys router on desk <--> ethernet cable <--> PC
- Headset <--> USB-C cable <--> USB-C to RJ45 adapter <--> Linksys router on desk.

This latest setup is the best option so far, gives a steady 1200Mhz connection and is just plug and play.

Problems:
- Only little problem is that the headset isn't charged with this option.

An option is a USB-C to RJ45 adapter with charging port but i did read a lot that this doesn't allways work well (charging just stops after a while) + i don't want to fix the adapter to the headset like a lot of people do because this sits in the way of my headphone.

Then it got me thinking that, since i don't need the Linksys router anymore in setup 3 and 4, about replacing my router with a switch with POE capacity to keep the standalone headset charged instead of a USB-C to RJ45 adapter with extra changing port.

But then yesterday i did read that hooking devices up to a switch can cause drops in data and the need for resending that data if the devices on the switch are demanding the same lines at the same time (PC and VR headset). This got me worried about data fluctuation to the headset.

 

Question: Is it possible to change the router with a switch or will this lead to possible data disturbance like i did read a few times?

[hsth]

Have you ever looked at Fritz! connectors? They can use the powernet for sending the router signal.

I have a Powerline 1220E where the router connects to main. And another one where I have the Pc connected to the powernet. I have connectors without Wifi as we don't use Wifi but Fritz! also has connectors that have Wifi at the outlet were you want it.

We have been doing this for years (>10) and the signal has always been very stable.

[BitMaster]

A switch-part of your router is per definition a Layer-2 Switch, just as as ordinary 15€ 5-port switch. There is no difference in how they work or act