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MikroTik App
 
survivalbloke
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Just got my first MikroTik product - feeling lost

Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:28 am

Hey all! I've been a Unifi guy for quite some time now - well, for switches and AP's anyhow. For routers, I'm a pfSense guy. I recently bought a CRS326-24G-2S+RM to replace a Unifi switch which has no PoE. I'm a little confused about this machine so please be patient. Couple of questions:

1) This unit has port 1 marked as "PoE In". Exactly what does that mean? I thought all 24 ports of this machine had PoE out - no?

2) This functions as a router too? I had no idea. How can I configure it to be used only as an L2 switch?

3) Is there some sort of detailed guide I can use to get going? I do not plan on using RouterOS and instead would like to use SwOS instead for ease of use.

Thanks!
 
ConnyMercier
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Re: Just got my first MikroTik product - feeling lost

Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:03 pm

Good Morning,

Answer to Question 1:
The CRS326-24G-2S+RM has no PoE-Outputs (https://mikrotik.com/product/CRS326-24G-2SplusRM)
The CRS328-24P-4S+RM has 24x PoE-Output (https://mikrotik.com/product/crs328_24p_4s_rm)

Answer to Question 2:
With RouterOS it is possible to use the Mikrotik as a Switch or a Router ( or anything in between)
With SwOS is a lot simpler, but can only do L2

Answer to Question 3:
To Boot with SwOS : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA2GrORTZmo
For SwOS-Configuration : https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/SwOS/CRS3xx
 
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Paternot
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Re: Just got my first MikroTik product - feeling lost

Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:53 pm

1) As already said, the 326 doesn't have PoE out. This PoE in is used to power the CRS326. Check first, to see if it's a passive PoE or something else. The product page will tell You this.

2) Yes, it can be used as a (very weak) router - but this is a switch at heart. Both RouterOS and SwOS will allow You to use this unit as a switch. I don't know your needs, so I can't say if SwOS would be enough, but there are some things You should consider:

a) SWoS doesn't have HTTPS, SSH, API or Winbox access - the only way is through HTTP browser.
b) SWoS is purely L2. You can't do anything else.
c) If You run RoS it will be possible to use is as an L2 switch - with VLANs and everything - AND You get some bells and whistles. Things like HTTPS, SSH, VPN (the switch could be a VPN client, making easier remote management). You pay the price of a more complex UI - but it may well be worth the cost.

3) Here is a good start:
https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Main_Page
 
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k6ccc
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Re: Just got my first MikroTik product - feeling lost

Fri Oct 22, 2021 4:33 pm

For what you are trying to do, SwitchOS should do just fine and is far easier to configure. I have one unit exactly what you have that is running SwitchOS and two of the CSS326 switch only devices. They all work great. I am using them with multiple VLANs.

I have screen captures of a lot of the screens and can post them or give you additional help.

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