Upgrading standard AT&T modem/router

Adding more ports is as simple as adding a switch.

There are lots of options for better wifi, and many opinions about it too. You will probably want a mesh system, unless you like pulling cable (which it seems you might?) then I'd recommend ceiling mounted access points.

I'm working on a comprehensive home networking thread, hope to have it posted this week.

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I'm working on a comprehensive home networking thread, hope to have it posted this week.

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Looking forward to that

Is the “switch” basically a splitter? I didn’t know if I could split the signal going into a router without degrading it.

I should have been more specific. Most of my TVs are already wired in but I’m going to be adding in an audio system and need a few more ports.

I don’t care about running wires so being wireless isn’t a requirement.

I was basically wondering if I’m missing out on having better wifi by just using the modem that ATT supplies

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Is the “switch” basically a splitter?

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Kinda but not really.

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I didn’t know if I could split the signal going into a router without degrading it.

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No, you don't "split" it before the router. A switch would plug into one of the ports on your router, and then it would provide more ports for other devices, so in that way it "splits" one of your available ports. It's an important distinction though that you can't just split an ethernet connection, it has to be switched/routed.

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I was basically wondering if I’m missing out on having better wifi by just using the modem that ATT supplies

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Maybe. But if you don't really have any trouble with your wifi as is and you just need more wired ports, then I'd just get a switch. You can add 8 ports for more wired devices for probably $50.

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You can add 8 ports for more wired devices for probably $50.

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And can all those ports be on simultaneously or can I only select a few at a time?

Hopefully I can get an answer but I had this question this week.

I do not think you can get rid of the BGW-210 gateway but you can do a pass-through for a better router.

My setup might be more complex then you want to go, but you can easily scale it back a ton to still have something with great flexibility and ease of use.

BW320 ONT (passthrough) > Opnsense server (you can place basically any router you want here instead) > 8x 10gbe with 24x 1gb POE (insert any other switch that will suit your needs here) > Engenius Neutron access point for wifi

I went with the Netgear Orbi mesh system and saw a big improvement in speed and stability. I have the Pace 5268AC modem, and it was kind of a pain to put it into a pseudo bridge mode. It doesn't have a true bridge or passthrough mode, so it was way more complicated than it had to be.

Once that was setup, it has worked great. I get probably twice the transfer speeds on my wireless devices and don't get the sporadic disconnects.