Refining my network setup—want to ensure everything is organized effectively?
Refining my network setup—want to ensure everything is organized effectively?
I’m transitioning to a new apartment where we’ll finally get Fiber internet. This upgrade means I need to optimize my home network setup. Currently, I’ll use a Frontier Fiber modem/router combo, but I won’t install the router myself—I’ll connect an Asus Zenwifi ax1800 xd4 mesh system for Wi-Fi inside the apartment. A drawback of this mesh system is limited Ethernet ports, so I bought a 5-port Netgear Gigabit switch (GS105) to provide more wired options. The devices that will connect via Ethernet are a Desktop Hue Bridge Streaming Device for TV. Should I link the modem directly to the switch, or should I route the modem through the switch first before connecting to the mesh? My aim is to achieve the strongest possible network with the equipment I have.
Ensure the modem/router your ISP offers can be modified or placed in bridge mode. If you can’t disable its routing features, it’s best not to add another router between them. Doing so would create a double NAT setup, which functions but may lead to unexpected complications.