Network setup instructions For wired connections only
Network setup instructions For wired connections only
It looks like you're questioning the setup and considering alternatives. The current configuration with 48 ports managing devices and a single upstream connection to the router seems adequate for your needs. If problems arise, it might indicate the router's capabilities are insufficient. The simplest fix would be switching to a commercial router that allows disabling Wi-Fi, or upgrading to a more advanced model. For a more robust solution, you could use an enterprise-grade device like an Ubiquiti gateway or build a custom setup with a multi-port mini PC running software such as OPNsense.
Perhaps I was not clear. Using a generic router is simply not an option. There are no consumer options for a router with anywhere near the number of ports needed to connect 40+ devices. Typical routers have 3-5 ports with more "high end" options having 8. That's simply not enough. The 48 port switch isn't meant to be an alternative to a router - it's a requirement for connecting that many wired devices. There is no workaround for this. Because I cannot connect my ISP-in (WAN) directly to my switch, I must have a routing device between the ISP and the switch.
It looks like your idea was misunderstood. A router with 40 ports isn’t necessary; a single port connected to the switch should suffice for distributing traffic to your devices as you already have. Consider the reasoning behind this suggestion.
The setup should remain consistent. ISP is above Router, which sits behind a Switch, connected devices follow. I’m seeking a superior router. Because I don’t rely on Wi-Fi, I didn’t need that capability and focused on wired models without success. Most of the available options are outdated, offering only 10/100 speeds that won’t handle my steady traffic or reliability needs. Routers generally lack strong processing power; they usually run older dual or quad-core ARM chips that struggle with the heavy OS and built-in utilities. Routing itself is quite demanding. As network devices grow, the router must constantly manage and transfer packets, which adds strain. I’m hoping a better device will reduce bottlenecks and congestion. I’m willing to invest more for something more reliable, especially since I work remotely. I haven’t found the right choice yet, which is why I’m reaching out for advice here.
Using the ubiquiti reference: https://ui.com/eu/en/cloud-gateways/compact
A useful tip to keep in mind—routing inside the same subnet bypasses the router entirely. Switches also handle subnet switching quickly at gigabit speeds. The main concern is when all devices connect simultaneously and the router becomes overwhelmed. Generally, modern routers manage this smoothly. UniFi works well but leans toward consumer use. It’s worth watching setup tutorials on YouTube for better results.
Is this really how networks function? If you use a wired setup with a router as the main device, shouldn’t data flow directly to the destination without going through the router’s network layer instead of just the built-in switch?