Hello, I hope someone can help me as I’m burning out on this.
I would like to to join the MikroTik world’s to get better at my networking skills. I’m a pseudo-beginner, I know some basic concepts but I really would like to get hands dirty with something more complex and enhance my home network.
The three devices that I’ve listed in the title are second hand and I can get them for a good price (4011 €100, 5009 €100 and AX3 €90, respectively, maybe something lower).
Currently I have the ISP modem (that I use also as AP) connected to a 8-port basic managed Zyxel switch (then to my wired clients) and a OpenWRT router (TP-Link Archer D50 v1) that I use as Switch/AP for the second floor. My internet speed is about 65Mbps down and 20Mbps up, FTTC (that’s the reason of the modem), I know that’s not a lot and these router can handle full 1Gbit fiber speeds so they will be super overkill for that, but I hope that some day I will get fiber in my place.
I’ve done the following considerations:
RB4011 WiFi
It has 10 ethernet ports, enough ports that I could remove my switch and connect all of my wired clients to the router directly
It has built-in fast wifi, so I don’t need to buy a separate AP (that would be a little unconvenient for my current setup)
The SFP+ port comes handy
No expandable storage (no USB)
It is older than the other options (RB5009 and HAP AX3)
RB5009
Newer model
I should be able to use it also to replace my switch, but I will not have further space of expansion without an additional switch (even for another 1 device).
It has a useful 3.0 USB port and 2.5GbE port, good
No built-in WiFi so I must buy a separate AP
More future-proof (even if I move house I can place it everywhere without thinking about AP positioning)
More versatile due to the two last points before
Good resell value
HAP AX3
Good WiFi (WiFi 6), maybe too much for my current use-case as the router position is not optimal to get the best wireless experience for all of my clients
Few ethernet ports, I have to keep the switch
I started considering this device just today so I haven’t go deep in the comparison. If you have any useful considerations, please tell me.[/list]
That’s all, sorry for the long post. Hoping to get some useful tips
EDIT: The RB4011 might be unavailable because it could be sold to another person.
EDIT 2: Added some infos about my internet connection speed.
My view:
future safety → go for RB5009. At that price it’s a steal !
RB4011, useful as it has been, is not future proof and the dual radio setup is a mess with current wireless/wifi drivers.
(you need to choose: old wireless and 2.4+5GHz radio or wave2 drivers and only 5GHz radio)
It also has some quirks setting it up properly due to the dual switch chip setup.
Added switches and/or APs shouldn’t be an argument since you never know what will happen next year or the year after.
You may be required to add them anyhow at some point in time.
You may even gain flexibility moving away from centralized switching (a small managed switch left or right can do wonders flexibility-wise).
You already have an AP, keep using it (you can even use this AP as switch).
Plus I am not really in favor of all-in-one solutions. If the device breaks, everything goes down.
No question the only two units worthy of consideration are the ax3 and 5009.
However the ax3 is limited in wan throughput to 1gig connections, while the 5009 is future proofed to 2.5 gig connections ( maxes out aroundd 3Gbps on routing )
With a price differential of only 10E, its a no brainer to get the 5009.
( in usa normally $215ish for 5009 and $125 for ax3 )
For me, USB port for storage is useless, it’s not necessary for mkt devices, it’s a feature like a box in recycled stuff. Not necessary for most uses cases.
Good routing/firewall performance with wan at more than 2/3 GBits/s for dual stack ipv4/ipv6, use the RB5009.
If you plan to use more internals networks (vlans) routings/switching/firewall, go for RB5009.
I always recommand separate routing/firewall with AP and switches. One device, one role not more.
Number of AP depend of your environment, wall, surface, etc…
Did you see his speed? It is very easy desicion…if you ever have internet speed 1GB/1GB go for AX3. If you will have higher speed go for 5009. At the moment is 5009 nonsence and overkill without wifi.
I have AX3 for internet speed 1GB/1GB, wireguard, zerotier, QOS CAKE and the CPU handle all without problems…
If you are on budget buy 2x HAP AX2 and throw away alll your old stuff. AX2 is also very powerfull it is aproxx. 30% less powerfull than AX3 but still capable to route 1GB/1GB for home use.
