(Hope you don't mind my jumping in on this one)
simultaneous dual-band operation: Yes, you can run a combination of either (including a and b) or run just one of them. I think the 825 is setup by default to run both bands. You can access the router and turn on/off how you want this set up.
As for speed. Your lowest will be the default. If you have a 1Gbs (or referred to as Mbps) and a 100 Mbps the 1Gbs PC will match the slower connection. This is not a problem per se but how it functions. Your network is only as fast as your slowest connection.
This is true on the WiFi side as well. If you have a slower WiFi card (maybe in an old laptop for example) then your WiFi performance will be impacted the same way.
I'm sure Orinthical will respond as well but in regards to your switch question either way will work. However, your network will perform, ultimately, better if you plug all your connections into the switch and then run one ethernet cable to a port on the router. Both devices manage network "traffic". If you have a router with 4 ports (both the 825 and the 655) that is actually a switch built into the router. Which is common for home and small office applications. But by letting one device manage your PCs, printers, etc. it would be easier for the user to manage as well.
simultaneous dual-band operation: Yes, you can run a combination of either (including a and b) or run just one of them. I think the 825 is setup by default to run both bands. You can access the router and turn on/off how you want this set up.
As for speed. Your lowest will be the default. If you have a 1Gbs (or referred to as Mbps) and a 100 Mbps the 1Gbs PC will match the slower connection. This is not a problem per se but how it functions. Your network is only as fast as your slowest connection.
This is true on the WiFi side as well. If you have a slower WiFi card (maybe in an old laptop for example) then your WiFi performance will be impacted the same way.
I'm sure Orinthical will respond as well but in regards to your switch question either way will work. However, your network will perform, ultimately, better if you plug all your connections into the switch and then run one ethernet cable to a port on the router. Both devices manage network "traffic". If you have a router with 4 ports (both the 825 and the 655) that is actually a switch built into the router. Which is common for home and small office applications. But by letting one device manage your PCs, printers, etc. it would be easier for the user to manage as well.
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