Give every fast port a job
Start with the modem or ONT, then assign Ethernet backhaul, a multi-gig switch, NAS, and fixed clients. If the only 10GbE port becomes WAN, the LAN side still needs a deliberate path before a 10GbE desktop or NAS gains anything.
Check every satellite
A two- or three-node system repeats the port layout at each unit, but a remote node may spend one port on backhaul and another on a switch. Draw each room separately rather than multiplying a headline port count.
Include the cable and switch
Link speed is negotiated end to end. A 1GbE switch, damaged cable, wall jack, or slower client NIC will reduce the path even when the mesh unit has a faster socket.
Leave one recovery path
Keep a practical spare port or accessible switch path for troubleshooting. A topology that uses every socket on day one can make a future wired node, access point, or temporary diagnostic laptop unnecessarily awkward.