How can I decide how many spare ports or a switch I’ll need?

Start by listing current wired devices and likely additions over 12–24 months, and map them to ports. Add a small growth margin (e.g., 20–30%) and consider whether a separate switch is preferable for local devices, PoE, or VLAN separation. If you’re near the router’s port limit, a switch typically keeps growth simple and allows future expansion without replacing the router. Finally, check whether the router and future switch support the same management methods and VLAN schemes. This approach helps you plan for expansion without overcommitting to a single device and keeps future upgrades straightforward.