What networking gear does a small office need?
Most small offices need a reliable router/firewall, a switch, Wi-Fi access points or mesh, Ethernet where practical, and a plan for guest Wi-Fi.
Is Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 necessary?
Wi-Fi 6 is enough for many offices. Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 can help in dense environments, but coverage, placement, and wired backhaul are often more important.
Do I need a managed switch?
Managed switches are useful for VLANs, security separation, PoE management, and more complex offices. Simple unmanaged switches are fine for small, basic networks.
Should office printers be wired?
Wired printers are usually more stable and easier to support than Wi-Fi printers, especially in offices with multiple users.
What is Ethernet backhaul?
Ethernet backhaul uses wired connections between network devices or access points. It is usually more reliable than relying only on wireless mesh links.