So currently (excuse the terrible schematic graphics) this is what I have:

FIOS Router -----[WIRED via Ethernet] ----> Netgear Orbi Mesh --------->
Apple TV box wifi'ed to Netgear Orbi
FIOS's new "cable box" wifi'ed to Netgear Orbi (or maybe wifi'ed to FIOS Router)
and
WAY TOO MANY Wifi Devices (phones, laptops, etc) to Netgear Orbi via Wifi
Nobody is unhappy with speed right now.
So, pretty much EVERYTHING goes via Wifi via the Orbi.
For sake of discussion, forget the WifI aspects of the FIOS Router


Now, someone who kinda knows (emphasis on "kinda") what they're talking about sometimes suggested the following:
FIOS Router -----[WIRED via Ethernet] ----> TP Link Ethernet 5-Port Ethernet Switch --------->
THEN from the switch
ethernet to
Netgear Orbi Mesh (still via Ethernet, just now with the TP Link in between)
Apple TV (now via Ethernet from a TPlink port)
FIOS's new "cable box" connected via Ethernet to Switch (alos a TP Link port)
all of which then goes to FIOS Router

And still TONS of wifi devices going to the Orbi.

I don't think I'm getting much of a benefit? Right? I mean, marginally, maybe the Apple TV (now via Ethernet) and FIOS's new "cable box" might get a small speed boost via Ethernet. But, at the end of the day, the Orbi is carrying the HUGE load of so many devices I've lost count.

Can't think of any reason I need to now "wire" the Apple TV or the FIOS box using ethernet and the TPLink? Right?

Can anyone give me a reason?

Only reason I can think of is that it will remove the routing / bandwidth used by the Apple TV and FIOS IPTV box from the Orbi, perhaps reduce latency a bit, particularly if the WiFi spectrum utilised is crowded.

It�s probably not much bandwidth, maybe 40 Mbps at most for the Apple TV, perhaps the same for the FIOS box?

If there are no issues seen on the network, I wouldn�t bother. Perhaps look to a WiFi 7 w/ 6Ghz bad support instead as the future upgrade.

But, why use a switch? Doesn�t the FIOS router / gateway come with 3-4 LAN ports?

Yeah. I agree. Thanks.



It does. I currently have ONE ethernet cable running from the router quite a ways through (and hidden in) the walls to the Orbi - which sits next to the sole TV in the house as well as (shocker) the Apple TV and FIOS box. I COULD run two more ethernet cables from the router to the Apple TV and FIOS box, but it wouldn't be "nice" (in the judgment of Mrs. jsnydcsa) so ....


Thanks all!

How is your Wi-Fi configured? Channel width, bands, etc?

One other thought: does the Orbi run in router mode (as in, does it manage a LAN within the Verizon router�s LAN / its own routing tables)? Or is it running purely as an Access Point or Mesh hub / node?

Does the Orbi have extra LAN ports, would plugging the Apple TV & FIOS box directly into the Orbi allow them to work wired?
(Since they�re close, you might be able to more easily hide those wires.)

If the intent of the person who made the suggestion was to move these two devices off the WiFi connection, that might address what they�re looking for�
(Though personally, I�d first want a full, clear explanation of why this was asked for before doing anything.)

If only I knew. Seriously. I don't and I don't care. When I setup the FIOS router in approx. 2020-2021, I got in to the "Admin" side of things and poked around but didn't do anything other than change the passwords to more complicated ones (to log into the Admin side of the router and to use the FIOS WiFi and FIOS Wifi Guest networks). Contemporaneously, I got the Orbi, set it up (using the Orbi iPhone app) with more complicated passwords (and, before you ask - YES different "Network Name[s]" and Passwords to the FIOS). I frankly haven't looked back. Call this an endorsement if you will. But, the Orbi - for me at least has been plug and play without much issue. I've rebooted the Orbi only several times over the past few years and it hasn't needed much else. To provide a window on my day-to-day life/world/nightmare, I have no time to think about settings so deep.

This was just some helpful neighbour who has a passing interest in IT (HE ran Ethernet cable through his wall) who said I should do this. I honestly don't trust his tech skills that much (I've seen him in action with other tech problems and it hasn't been pretty) but he made the suggestion and, only after Amazon delivered the aforementioned switch (which is now being returned unopened), did I start to think about it.

Nobody on my Orbi wifi has ever noticed any latency/lag/delay and especially NOT on the Apple TV or new FIOS "cable box" - everyone is happy. So, in an "if it ain't broke, don't [try to] fix it" sort of way, I'm not going to try and tweak things for live-action-gamer-level speed and connection reliability. Call me blissfully ignorant

Ha, no worries. Thought it was from someone who used your network; since it�s just general advice and things are actually fine� yea, nothing to bother yourself about.

Your original configuration is fine. You might want to differentiate between less secure devices, but if you don't notice any performance issues, I wouldn't bother. About the only thing I might suggest is check to see if the orbi supports streaming SPI support (prioritizes media streaming over regular data... Some say it improves streaming performance. I haven't seen it, but I don't saturate my connection) Beyond that, you should be good.

To me, the highlighted part is the important part. If nobody's complaining about it, and you're not seeing any obvious issues with speed, it's not worth the effort to fix. That's especially true if you're not confident in messing with this stuff on your own. There's a lot to be said for "it works, don't mess with it".

(Now, would I do it that way? Probably not. But without seeing where everything is positions and knowing any restrictions that might be in place with where certain equipment needs to be placed, I'm also not going to say I'd never do it that way myself either. I'm also basing that on the idea that the FIOS "router" is probably not really a router, if it is, then yeah, I'd make a lot of changes (my FIOS service, it's just a ONT and you need a router after that).)

+1