Hello, I have an ASUS XT9 mesh setup with wired backhaul. My question is this: does my wired second node function as a switch would, i.e., without any/very little signal degradation? Or would it be better to place a switch behind the second node and get better speeds/connection from that? In essence, am I better off hardwiring to the main router, or is hardwiring to a secondary (also hardwired) node functionally the same?

Thank you!