OK hopefully I can explain this...

I have high speed cable internet at home. I have a Netgear modem that manages internet and home phone service. I have "hardwired" my smart TV and Apple TV to the internet.

Cable internet flows as such...

From cable connection in wall to cable modem, ethernet cable to home security router, ethernet cable to Orbi wifi/router. My smart TV and Apple TV are ethernet connected to Orbi wifi/router. Very stable connection but I could get more speed on my TV if I bypassed that home security router with a different connection point.

So I'm looking at trying the following:

From cable connection in wall to cable modem, ethernet cable (from a different ethernet port on the modem) to "router/firewall w/o wifi". I will then ethernet connect smart TV and Apple TV to "router/firewall w/o wifi". This will bypass that home security router and give me nearly 1 Gbps speed!

What "router/firewall w/o wifi" am I looking for? I have seen various such products on Amazon but the prices vary greatly.

quote:

What "router/firewall w/o wifi" am I looking for? I have seen various such products on Amazon but the prices vary greatly.

If you are chaining in another "router/wifi" in the mix then you could be double-natting.
Not that it is a problem but certainly not optimal.
If you need more LAN ports than your "security router" has then get a switch, get another Wifi AP (only- no router) and connect it to the "security router" or on your router/wifi unit just do not use the WAN port (only connect via the LAN ports).

Note: I am assuming the "security router" is an AIO modem/router/ap/switch unit also providing DHCP.

If it is only a modem and you are looking for a wired router the consider:
* Ubiquiti Routers or UniFI or Mikrotek
* There are others that are adequate from Netgear/DLINK/Belkin and others
* You can also simply turn off the WiFi on the combo units but that is not optimal, IMO
** Additionally of you have some old computer hardware with (2) NICs you can build a nice Firewall unit with Untangle or PFSense

YMMV

I have mine set up basically how you are wanting to move to. Smart TV connected to cable router, security router connected to cable router , and everything else behind that.
According to the cable router , my TV only connects at 100MB.
So my advice is to look at your security router and see what the link speed is from your TV before you change up things.

Having said that , the reason I connect this way is to isolate the TV from home network.

Is it safe to ethernet connect my smart TV and Apple TV directly to my cable modem without a firewall?

Which cable modem (model)?

I think you're double NAT'ing, as post above pointed out.

Mine is Ethernet from cable modem to Asus AX6000 router and everything goes from there. If I need more Ethernet ports, I'd just use a layer 2 switch,connecting from the Asus router.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Which cable modem (model)?

Netgear Nighthawk CM1150V

https://www.netgear.com/home/wifi/modems/cm1150v/

quote:

Originally posted by Angus the Kid:
This will bypass that home security router and give me nearly 1 Gbps speed!

What do you hope to achieve by doing this?

quote:

Originally posted by Angus the Kid:
What "router/firewall w/o wifi" am I looking for?

I like Ubiquiti EdgeRouters.

quote:

Originally posted by Angus the Kid:

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Which cable modem (model)?

Netgear Nighthawk CM1150V

https://www.netgear.com/home/wifi/modems/cm1150v/

Looking it over this unit offers very little firewall control.

So depending what your objectives are then you could/should:
1. Add an additional an AIO router/WAP/Switch with enough throughput as you need.
Then connect everything to it.
> Probably the simplest solution.
or
2. Call your ISP and have them configure in "Bridge Mode" for your modem
then
* Get separate devices as mentioned above:
- wired router, switch, WAP
* This is optimal but more expensive and complicated

Note: IF you need to access you local network from the outside such as from another network like work or other places then the latter is preferred.

If not then the double-nat / AIO might be the easiest or best solution.

Both would offer better firewall solutions.

If you are having Wi_Fi issues then there are distinct advantages to a separate WAP that can be strategically located and configured.

However if not then a single unit with enough throughput might suffice.

A lot of ways to skin this cat.

Thanks everyone for the help. I will investigate more.