I have an idea for a “Software/Firmware Suggestion”
I would like to see a tool (in winbox or a stand-alone program or a Mikrotik web page tool) which can read a Mikrotik configuration and then generate a suggested configuration.
Specifically, I would like to see a method to have a program look at Ethernet bridge configurations, and then depending on the Mikrotik product, build a suggested configuration using the Ethernet switch chips (which reduces software bridges) and results in increased throughput using lower CPU usage.
Although I try to use the Ethernet switch chips instead of software bridging, I consider myself only a beginner.
And when it comes to configuring Mikrotik Ethernet switch chips where some ports are on different vlans and some ports are a trunk, then I get lost pretty quick.
With a Mikrotik configuration suggested optimizer program, I would suspect that such a tool could enhance and improve many things in the configuration.
I would like to see such a tool have the ability to boot the suggested configuration in a safe mode - and if the configuration is not acknowledged in a period of time, then the Mikrotik would then auto-reboot back to the original non-modified configuration.
A magic wand request. What if you have bridges because of some reason instead of the switches? I don’t believe that such bridge to switch automatic reconfiguration tool would be widely appreciated. But it is just an opinion, let beat me by those who wanted this for years and was afraid to ask for it.
I am starting to be a big fan of Ethernet switch chip usage instead of software bridging.
I have found that using the switch chip instead of software bridging will increase the throughput and reduce CPU processor loads when the Mikrotik is very busy.
Re: …What if you have bridges because of some reason instead of the switches?..
Answers #1 - That is why I stated suggested configuration (possible suggested) #2 - Also - I mentioned a safe-mode boot to the configuration - where it will auto fall-back if it is not acknowledged when it is booted. #3 - To use such an optimizer could be optional - not a forced feature
Ok. The switches are involved in default factory config. If someone changes it, he knows why. So. There shouldn’t be a bridge config without any reason…
What ?
I would assume that just about every advanced Mikrotik network person would almost always do three things:
1 - Factory Reset with no default configuration
2- Upgrade all firmware
3 - Configure and install
I have never used the factory default configuration in any production install.
Now to the switch chip part … Factory reset with no default configuration - there is nothing configured.
Now I have a question : Why would anybody software bridge two or more Ethernet ports together in a high-throughput environment when they can switch chip connect them together ? - Unless you just want to make the network run a little slower and make the CPU run under a heaver load ???
Another idea - which could be useful for some installations:
An optional software package which has the ability to play an audio/music file to the built-in piezo speaker.
I assume the piezo has a similar electronic interface similar to a computer. And I know there are Windows drivers which do the exact same thing. I used to use drivers like this in the old days when notebook computers did not have build-in speakers. With the piezo to speaker driver, I could play music and voice files. Although it is not the same audio quality as a regular speaker - it does work and you can easily understand what an audio voice file is playing/saying.
Now as to the why the desire for such an optional package:
This could be useful in some indoor installations to notify somebody near-by of a condition or action needed. (Not connected - call our office - you account is past due - … )
For an outside environment, it could be used to speak the RSSI, CCQ, SNR when somebody is on a tower aiming an antenna.
What could also be way cool (for even fewer admin people) would be the ability to play video or display a picture to the LCD display. The video or picture could be just about anything you can imagine.
Also - the ability for a script to print to the LCD display. Now I can think of hundreds of things this could be used for.
Although this would be a package not needed by most admins, these features could enhance the capabilities for some installations.
Do you really believe that advanced people do need such magic reconfigurator ? When they removed the default config (what is correct, I do the same),they made the setting how they need. So none of them is so stupid to make bridges without any reason to need to run bridge to switch reconfigurator. Or are they?
I am pretty sure you should know the difference between the bridge and switch functions so you know when to use bridge and when switch…
In my looking at the block diagram of the CCR1036, it looks like it does not have an Ethernet switch chip - which means you will need to continue using a software bridge.
It is my guess that the CCR1036 intended to be best used as a router.
North Idaho Tom Jones
I heard a rumor that the current “switch” implementation will be dropped and instead if you add two ports on the same switch chip into a bridge, it will automatically switch it in hardware. If they are not on the same switch chip it will be done in software/ fastpath as it currently is.
Remember, only a rumor. It could be complete bollocks.
I suspect yes and no.
An Ethernet switch chip functions at wire-speed. There is zero CPU effect under any load because the Ethernet switch chip is doing all of the work.
A software bridge will always be a little slower because the processor is involved in processing the packets.
A Mikrotik 300 MHz board with an Ethernet switch chip can pass packets between two 1-gig Ethernet ports faster than any CCR using a software bridge mode.
Already been there and tested it.
North Idaho Tom Jones
Here is how I was able to verify switching is faster than bridging.
You need three Mikrotiks
Use IP address on all three Mikrotiks in the same subnet so routing in not needed for the 3 Mikrotiks to talk to each other.
Configure Mikrotik #1 to go through Mikrotik #2
Configure Mikrotik # 3 to go through Mikroitk #2
Perform some bandwidth speed tests between Mikrotik #1 to Mikrotik #3 - With Mikrotik #2 using the Ethernet switch chip
Perform some bandwidth speed tests between Mikrotik #1 to Mikrotik #3 - With Mikrotik #2 using software bridging.
You will find the following results:
Throughput between Mikrotik #1 to #3 is a little faster when #2 is using the Ethernet switch chip and there is zero effect on the CPU load of #2 during the test.
Throughput between Mikrotik #1 to #3 is a little slower when #2 is using software bridging and there is a huge effect on the CPU load of #2 during the test.
In a network with many layer 2 hops through many Mikrotiks, using Ethernet switch chips can and will often save 3 ms or greater on ping times for end-to-end packet times.
If you use a Mikrotik AP which has dual Ethernet conections for spanning-tree redundancy, using the Ethernet switch chips definitely frees up some CPU time to do other things which results in the entire network being just a little bit faster.
re: …which device do you prefer for using switch chip for high capacity bandwith ?
They are all pretty good.
You need to look at the block diagram for each Mikrotik you are considering.
Some devices that have 3 ethernets only have 2 ethernets using the same switch chip. Thus you can only switch 2 ethernets.
Some devices have 10 ethernets (5 gig and 5 10/100) where the gig ports are on one Ethernet switch chip and the 10/100 ports are on another switch chip. If you are wanting to switch 5 ports this works great - however to connect all 10 ports you have to configure two different switch chips of 5 ethernets each then software bridge 1 gig port to a 10/100 port - thus some cpu overhead.
I suppose it mostly depends on how many ports you want to connect together using a switch chip.
re: …which device do you prefer for using switch chip for high capacity bandwith ?
Let me follow up a little more on this question
For my central office, I always prefer Cisco switches.
For my larger remote locations, I usually still use Cisco switches.
For my smaller remote locations, I will use a Mikrotik to terminate the WDS link then offer the network to several devices using a switch chip in the Mikrotik.
For my tower APs - Where I run up to up to three Ethernet cables to each Mikrotik AP, I am now considering doing this:
ether1 - POE (almost never on a switch chip) (((I use this pretty much for power only)))
ether2 & ether3 (Gig connected links) using switch chip. Then let spanning tree decide on which of the two links to use.
Some of my APs are located high on my remote mountain top snow covered towers. I generally run multiple cables to each of my APs - and also I generally have two near-by facing sectors which can pick up a sector if it goes down. I also use UPS systems & generators & PDUs. With the PDUs, I can power cycle anything anywhere. Redundancy is the name of the game when you don’t want to have to go climb a tower at 3 AM in the morning on some remote mountain top when it is 20 below zero and the wind is blowing hard during a blinding white-out snow storm.
