I’m new to the MikroTik environment and excited to learn something new in networking. For my home network, I’ve purchased a MikroTik CCR2004-16G-2S+PC router, a CRS326-24G-2S+RM switch, and two cAP ax access points that I’m eager to set up.
I’ve familiarized myself with the basic setup of MikroTik, but I have a few questions that I hope someone can help me with:
What would be the optimal configuration for my equipment?
Should I use RouterOS or SwitchOS on the switch?
Is it best to connect both APs to the switch?
Is using CAPsMAN recommended for my setup?
I would greatly appreciate any shared setups or demo configurations from those willing to help.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
Rob
Brief answers
1 depends what you want to do
2 for me, ROS. Only 1 environment to learn
3 yes but daisy chaining also works
4 you do not have to but roaming will be better if you do.
Depends on where you want to put the kit and what wiring you have. For the number of ports you have on the router, the switch looks like overkill. But we don't kno how much wired kit you intend to connect
AIUI, Routeros does everything. so less to learn if you use it on the switch
Draw a line diagram of the whole network and assign maximum traffic values to each link. If any link looks overloaded, reconfigure to reduce the traffic
Yes, particularly if you want to share SSIDs across APs. Once your CAPsMAN is set up, all the AP management is in one place. Wifi setup is effectively CAPsMAN setup in any case
The CCR2004-16G-2S+PC being the passive cooling version has actually a slower processor (older ARM Cortex-A57 vs A72, and downclocked to 1.2GHz due to cooling) and has worse routing capability compared to a RB5009. And if you have the revision without USB port, then all the RAM is also wasted because container/app use would be limited.
The RB5009 and CRS326-24G-2S+RM together would still provide plenty of ports while costing less than the CCR2004 (PC).
So CGGX, if the person is keen on the CCR2004 series they should get the larger rack version: CCR2004-16G-2S+ I believe that one has the newer processor at 2.0Ghz and USB port correct?
If so, then for me I would look at that prior to the 5009 IF and ONLY IF, the ISP the user has is 1 gig or ore less for the next 5 years. If the OPs ISP is above 1gig and will increase ( aka mine is now at 1.5 and within 5 years will be 8 gig) the then the two SFP+ ports are worth it. Otherwise completely agree with the 5009, with the 2.5 facing the ISP and one 10Gig facing the switch.
In terms of the switch, I would look for one with multiple 2.5 ports. Now I know the capax only has 1G ports but that is behind the times, any new products from other vendors are coming with 2.5G ports and if Mikrotik comes out with CAPAX7 ( with only 1 gig ports) they are missing the mark.
As for switch the CS318 has 16 ports 2SFP+ ports and is cheaper than the CRS326???
Depends somewhat at form factor I guess since only $20 bucks cheaper.
However, I would more seriously look at the CRS310-8G+2S+IN because this has 2 sfp+ ports and 8 1-2.5G ports. So one can connect any future devices (like APs) that now come standard with 2.5G ports.
Such as any of the TP LINKS……. All three top tier ceiling mount APs come with 10G port. THe four lower tier wifi7 models come with 1 2.5gig port. Many of the wifi6 APs come with 2.5G port.
I read that salzer has already bought equipment (“I’ve purchased…”) and is asking about configurations, so I am wondering why the diversion into recommending alternative equipment or versions thereof?
Good point phascogale!
{ …but dont you wonder, why ……………
Why didnt the OP ask advice on what to purchase based on a concrete set of requirements, including connectivity and all traffic flows.?
Now he is asking some very good questions, but the answer depends on the on the same as the answer if asking for new equipment, What are the requirements! Which naturally leads into, well based on what you have this would be the right equipment fit, and then we can discuss the configs for that. }
Concur, we should just focus on the config setup at this point.
hoelvoe already answered, but let me try.
Use the router as a router and a switch as a switch and an AP as an AP.
Router OS, learning one method, that you can use consistently across all three devices is just a no-brainer
No, if you can connect them to the router, why to the switch>> Begs the question why buy the switch if you have enough ports on the router for all your needs??? ( lurker noted this also )
With two or more MT APs, yes capsman makes sense. Better roaming/user experience as noted.
I find its way to hard to learn RoS and capsman at the same time. Better to learn basic setup first then introduce capsman later and thus have two ways under your belt, with a more solid grounding in the basics of vlans and vlan filtering.
Hi everyone,
Thank you all for your input. I apologize for the delay in my response.
Last year, I purchased the MikroTik equipment mentioned at a great price (paid about $500 for everything new), with the intention of switching from my Cisco/Ubiquiti setup to MikroTik. However, life got busy, and I haven't had the chance to complete the transition yet. I'm planning to work on this in the next few weeks, so alternative equipment isn't an option as I already own the necessary items.
I also received feedback about the ports being excessive. However, I've wired my entire house, with each room having about 2 to 3 ports, totaling around 22-24 ports, in addition to 8 wired cameras and some other equipment I can't recall at the moment. I've also accounted for future growth.
I believe I can work with the advice you've provided, but please feel free to share any additional suggestions. I appreciate you all!
Rob
For my home network, I’ve purchased a MikroTik CCR2004-16G-2S+PC router, a CRS326-24G-2S+RM switch, and two cAP ax access points that I’m eager to set up.