Question Should I replace my router?

[ultrarunner100]

Hey guys;
I am a Verizon FIOS subscriber but have a second router - TP-Link Archer 2300 V1 - on the network to distribute both Ethernet and WiFi to upstairs devices.
Prior to my most recent upgrade to Verizon FIOS, I needed the upstairs router to extend the WiFi range of the poor Verizon base station.
But that was years ago. My household has been back and forth between Optimum and Verizon (Bergen County NJ) and with every switch, we got better equipment.
Now, the Verizon router that is in the dining room downstairs can cover every nook and cranny of this 100 year old home.
So, I don't really need the TP-Link access point anymore - at least not for WiFi.
Since I switched all my Alexa devices to use the Verizon base station, I could - at least technically - replace the TP-Link Archer 2300 with a high-speed switch.

So I ask for your expert technical assistance here:
I do not need extended WiFi upstairs since the Verizon FIOS router covers me.
I do need an Ethernet switch (formerly I used a hub here) to enable me to use a single Cat5 cable from the Verizon router to connect several computers upstairs.
I have a Windows 11 PC, a Linux Ubuntu 14.0.x box, and a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ connected to the Ethernet via the Archer 2300 and a switch.
I have a Lenovo X1 Gen 11 Carbon laptop that uses the Verizon WiFi.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Ultrarunner100 - yet to run the 100 miler!!

 

[BFG-9000]

Whether A2300 or C2300 it is still a supported device with current firmware. If you don't need the wifi on it, just shut off its radios and use it as your gigabit switch.

 

[ultrarunner100]

I can try doing that, but when the router decided to disconnect this morning, it disconnected everything, not just WiFi.
This router has occasionally disconnected - burped - requiring a reboot, but it happened 2x during the past week.
I need to get a network analyzer to check the cables...

 

[BFG-9000]

Well if you want to buy a switch, fanless 2.5Gbe switches are the cheapest they have ever been, so little point getting gigabit anymore even if you won't be using faster than gigabit for awhile. However name-brand gigabit is just $2-3 a port today on Black Friday.

The 2.5Gbe TP-Link 5-port is $70 and 8-port is $100 right now and Tenda has an 8+2 port for $60.

I would try a different power brick on the router though. The more stuff that's disabled on it probably the more stable it will be. I have bricked routers that still function as ethernet switches and they won't even boot up anymore.