Hardware selection

Hardware MikroTik hardware general
1

I love the Mikrotik gear. Currently have a CRS125-24G and a HAP AC3 (and about 10 other MT routers spread around family and friends places). Right now, the CRS125 is used as an internet router, as well as switch and just manages to route at ~1Gbps.

I want to upgrade our fibre to 2gbps. I’d have 4 devices needing 2Gbps+ ethernet. 2 x PCs, 1 x Hap Ax3, 1 x Fibre modem, and ideally another 12-20 ports at 1gbps.

There just doesn’t seem to be anything that will do this. This https://mikrotik.com/product/crs328_4c_20s_4s_rm has the ports, but the routing is only 1.2Gbps.

I’ve been through all the gear, but can’t find something suitable, or a combination of things suitable. So thought I would reach out and see if the community had any suggestions, or if there is anything known to be in development.

Thanks

2

ROS v7 brings L3 HW offloading (as in: ASIC routing) on select devices, CRS3xx included. Which means that in certain cases routing and firewalling can be done wirespeed. Have a look at linked document, you should get an idea. Depending on requirements on L3 functions you might be able to find a model which will fit your needs.

You may have to use two devices, one (mainly) for routing and one for switching (increase number of ports).

3

An Rb5009 for example.

How will this 2Gbit line be delievered? As a SFP+, 2.5G SFP or 1G 2xRJ45?

4

This is really useful, thanks, I’m pretty sure I’ll meet the requirements for HW offloading. Seems like some of those CRS3XX devices don’t support fastpath, but do support L3 HW offloading.

The 2Gb pipe will come through ethernet.

5

Yes but at what standard? A single 2.5GBase-T ?

6

If traffic is elligible for L3 HW offloading, then fastpath doesn’t matter at all because traffic will not pass CPU. And fastpath is a feature which allows “to cut a few corners” when traffic is handled by CPU.

7

I am still stuck on a CRS125 routing at 1Gig???

8

Cries in 50/10 internet connection

9

It’s primarly a switch. If you can afford 2Gbps of Internet then you probably can afford a router that can handle it as well.


And I’m on 100/10. I can upgrade to 1000/100 but thats €89/month and simply not worth it.

10

We started phasing them out in 2018. Due to them not being able to route anywhere near 1Gig WAN to LAN, with any sort of firewall at all.

IF they stayed in the system, they were converted to Switches. Routing was handed off to RB3011/RB4011/hAP AC2s.

11

Yeah, everything has to go through fastpath to get the CRS125 to route acceptably, even then it maxes out around 850Mbps.

I’m in NZ and they’re doing a deal on 2000/2000 connections, it’s the equivalent of 76 EUR per month. Some people spend their money on fast cars, some spend it on fast internet…

I’m going to pick up a CRS309-1G-8S+IN and add it to the CRS125. Sounds like that will do it with HW Offloading.

Will let you know how I get on in a month or so. Thanks team.

12

For speeds over 100Mbps, you should buy a proper router, not a switch with limited CPU resources.