Most small offices hit performance limits not because of the internet, but because of internal traffic. Once file servers, backups, and multiple workstations compete on a single 1Gbps switch, congestion becomes unavoidable.
A practical 2.5G LAN design starts at the core. The switch must support non-blocking backplane capacity, and uplinks to NAS or primary workstations should be prioritized. Existing Cat5e cabling is usually sufficient, making 2.5G a low-friction upgrade.
Avoid upgrading endpoints first. Without a 2.5G-capable switch, higher NIC speeds provide no benefit. Design the backbone before touching edge devices.
I document real-world LAN layouts and upgrade paths here:
https://comsiam.com
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