At a minimum, you need a modem (often supplied by your Internet provider) and a router. Many providers combine the two into a single “gateway” box. From there you can add a network switch for more wired ports, Ethernet cables for devices that stay put and access points or mesh units if your Wi-Fi doesn’t reach every room.

A router connects your home network to the Internet and directs traffic between the two. It also hands out IP addresses and usually includes a firewall. A switch simply adds more wired Ethernet ports so devices on the same network can talk to each other. Think of the router as the front door and the switch as a hallway with more rooms.

In most homes, yes. A wired Ethernet connection usually delivers steadier speeds, lower latency (less delay) and fewer dropouts because walls, distance and neighboring networks don’t get in the way. Wi-Fi is more convenient, and modern Wi-Fi can be very fast, but for desktops, game consoles, streaming boxes and servers a cable is hard to beat.

Both extend your Wi-Fi coverage. A mesh system is a set of matching units, usually from one brand, that work together as a single network and are managed from one app. A wireless access point is a standalone device, typically connected to your router with an Ethernet cable. Access points take a little more setup but give you more control.

Start with the basics: change your router’s default admin password, use WPA3 encryption (or WPA2 if your devices don’t support WPA3), keep the router’s firmware updated and put visitors and smart-home gadgets on a guest network. Turning off features you don’t use, such as remote management and WPS, also helps close common security gaps.

Not everyone does. Standard Gigabit Ethernet handles up to 1,000 Mbps, which covers most Internet plans. A 2.5 Gigabit network makes sense if your Internet plan is faster than 1 Gbps or you regularly move large files to a NAS or home server. The good news? 2.5GbE typically runs over the Cat5e or Cat6 cable you may already have.