uhhhh…

to get 10G speeds on your network!

Yes, it could!

Go ahead and replace it!

Even if you only have 100 Mbps internet, you still want to make sure your router and switches are 1 Gbps…

it will give you enough overhead in the connections, especially if you still want to transfer data from one device to another on your network.

It depends on the router and what that USB port can be used for…

on some, it may be just for printers.

If you need a NAS, you are best served with going to something from Synology, etc.

Does your modem have 2.5 out or higher? If not, it won’t matter what your router has!

If so, you could do something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Rapture-Gaming-Router-GT-AX6000/dp/B09L8PCTPT?th=1

You can do it, but it is not recommended! I would do it shortly, just to test speeds or something like that, but wouldn’t keep it permanently like that!

The router “protects” you from the outside world, as you are not exposed from a security standpoint

Sounds like you have a bad cable somewhere!

Yes, connect a switch to the one port

If you are using a wireless connection, test with a wired connection!

While your connections are fine, a better way would be to run switch 2 back to the router, instead of switch 1.

If switch 1 ever fails, then switch 1 and 2 will not work.

Connecting it back to the router will still allow switch 2 to work, should switch 1 fail!

As far as rack mounted switches, they will have little “ears” on the sides that are used to mount them in the rack.

You do not need a shelf to mount them

Instead, there are screws that will go in to the ears and the ears hold the weight of the switch to the rach!

punchdown block

mostly used for POTS

On a side note…

You are usually provisioned for the 1.2 Gbps.

If you get you a modem and a router that has a 2.5 Gbps port or higher, as well as your computer having it as well, you will get speed tests close to the 1.2 Gbps as well