I'm preparing a dozen of rb5900 or hex to deploy as LAN switches (powering and connecting WiFi AP).
I'm thinking of using the following process:
log to each box (with default credentials)
upgrade RouterOS to latest long-term
add a new user
disable default user
import a specific .rsc file to complete configuration
I'll generate specific .rsc file with some templating tool (jinja), the only difference between two switches being, if I'm not mistaken, the bridge MAC address.
What do you think of this process ? Would you recommend an alternative ?
What feature would bring Netinstall ? Can it safely and easily upgrade RouterOS ?
I assume you are referring to RB5009 POE version and Hex with POE ?
Waste of resources for that RB5009 if you ask me but ok ... why not use CRS112 or CRS328 ? Or even CSS610-8P-2S+IN (SWOS Lite only, though ...) ? Simple switches with POE out.
You can use netinstall to completely wipe the device, bring in the required ROS version and then run a script afterwards which applies the required config.
But for a dozen of devices, I doubt you gain a lot of time scripting things.
It's a typical process. Nothing new, nothing special. Nothing to think of.
Yes. The upgrade as a process is not a problem for 5009.
The question is if the newer version is really "better" or "good enough as the current one" or just "worse".
There are always 2 questions you have to answer yourself:
Does the current setup work properly enough and I do not want troubles ?
Do I really like "living on the edge" after installing the newest version?