Specifying-out a new SMB LAN initially deploying three EAP670s. We expect an average of 15-20 active Wi-Fi connections per AP with bursts up to 50 during office hours. Traffic is a mix of Citrix VPN, VOIP, streaming video, browsers and general office applications (MS Office, Teams). Part of the reason for this build is to utilize VLANs for network segmentation and better security.

The topology will look like:

1G fiber from ISP -- Router/Firewall -- Managed Switch #1 -- wired AP (1)

                                                         -- Managed Switch #2 -- wired APs (2)

The EAP670s have single 2.5GB ethernet ports and I'm curious if it is worthwhile to have them connected to a switch (TL-SG3210XHP-M2) with 2.5GB ports. The connection from the firewall to the switches will be at 1GB. Would using 2.5GB trunks back to the switches be significantly better than 1GB?

If the 1GB is good enough, I'll probably use two cheaper TL-SG2008Ps - one in the switch room and one on another floor - for simplicity of cabling. If having 2.5GB backhaul would benefit the project I will use one SG3210 and run ethernet cable directly to each EAP670. (I'm listing POE-capable switches because the project may add 2-3 EAP670s via POE over the next six months.)

It seems the SG3210 with its 2.5GB ports would have some future-proofing (it also has 2 SFP+ ports for a real backbone someday) or am I being deceived by the gear monkey in me? The $225 difference is within the budget of the project. Ideally, I would use two SG3210s, but the budget doesn't go that high.

Thanks for the help,

Greg