Should a PC connect directly to the router or can I connect the router to a gigabit switch first and then from the switch to the PC?
I have it set up like this now and it works ok but my mate was round yesterday and he said it was wrong to have it like that and the PC should connect directly to the router. He's been doing IT for years but I don't think he's right and I just want to check I'm not slowing my network down or anything.
I know you're going to ask about my setup so here it is
I have the router plugged into the BT master socket in the living room, the fibre cable then goes into the router. I have a wall mounted Cat 5 socket and the cable goes around my house to the spare room and ends in another wall mounted socket. I connect from this socket to my switch and then from the switch I connect to my PC and NAS. Phew, I think that makes sense!
I have it set up like this now and it works ok but my mate was round yesterday and he said it was wrong to have it like that and the PC should connect directly to the router. He's been doing IT for years but I don't think he's right and I just want to check I'm not slowing my network down or anything.
I know you're going to ask about my setup so here it is

I have the router plugged into the BT master socket in the living room, the fibre cable then goes into the router. I have a wall mounted Cat 5 socket and the cable goes around my house to the spare room and ends in another wall mounted socket. I connect from this socket to my switch and then from the switch I connect to my PC and NAS. Phew, I think that makes sense!