Network switch?

[RussellEngland]

A friend has just moved to a new flat. They have openreach fibre optic, yay!

The modem is downstairs in a cupboard, I'm pretty sure it's the Huwai modem

They have a Smart Hub 2 FTTP router with a red WAN port like this

I can connect the the router to the modem in the cupboard as per the instructions, but the wifi signal isn't strong enough to be used upstairs

There are also 6 network cables in the cupboard that are linked to ethernet ports in each room in the flat

I figured out which network cable leads to the ethernet port in the lounge upstairs  and plugged that into the modem. Then connected the smart hub router to the port and it works great there, but the other network cables/ports are now redundant

Can I use a switch/hub to the huwait modem downstairs so I can plug in all the network cables? What type of switch should I use?

Or should I connect the Smart Hub 2 downstairs and extend the wifi somehow upstairs? I've heard of BT whole home discs but haven't used them before

Many thanks!

Russ

[licquorice]

Not entirely sure what your requirements are, do you only want WiFi coverage or Ethernet connectivity as well.

If you only require WiFi, why does it matter if the other ports are redundant, you won't be using them.

You can't put a network switch to distribute the WAN, only the LAN.

If you need Ethernet at only 3 locations, just site the hub downstairs and cable the 3 yellow LAN ports as required. If you need more, just add a simple unmanaged switch.

To provide WiFi as well as Ethernet at the locations, you can just connect a Wireless Access Point (wap) to the Ethernet socket.

[rbz5416]

SH2 in the cupboard feeding the ethernet patch panel the WAPs (Wireless Access Point) connected to the ethernet in the rooms. If you need to feed more than three rooms then you'd need a switch connected to the SH2. Depending on the property construction, a single WAP may be enough to provide WiFi across the floor.