MikroTik CRS326-4C+20G+2Q+RM network switch 20 × 2.5G, 4 × combo, 2 × QSFP+

Ordinary Gigabit ports quickly become a bottleneck when computers, recorders and a NAS are moving large video files. The CRS326 offers 20 ports at 2.5 Gbit/s, two and a half times the speed of Gigabit, over the same RJ-45 connector. The manufacturer describes it as a wire-speed switch: every port can run at full speed at the same time without the internal switching capacity holding the traffic back.

The four combo ports are flexible: use them as extra 2.5G copper ports or as 10G SFP+ cages, for example to link other floors or buildings. The two QSFP+ cages support 40 Gbit/s connections, well suited to connecting a NAS media server or an editing workstation directly. That way the fastest devices sit on fibre while the remaining workstations use 2.5G copper, with no need for a second switch.

At the heart of the switch is a Marvell Prestera chip paired with a dedicated CPU that handles everyday tasks comfortably. It supports VLANs to segment the network, jumbo frames for faster transfer of large files, link aggregation to bundle several ports into one, and ACL rules to restrict traffic. The manufacturer also notes that some Layer 3 routing is possible. Management is available through a web interface and an RJ-45 console port.

The unit has two redundant power supplies: if one fails or a cable is pulled out by accident, the switch keeps running. A separate 100 Mbit/s Ethernet port is reserved for management, so you can still reach the device when the main network has a problem. It runs on 100–240 V AC, draws up to 70 W, operates from −20 to 60 °C and comes in a grey housing.

Video studios and creative agencies where computers and a NAS constantly exchange large files; offices moving from Gigabit to 2.5G that also want 10G and 40G fibre links straight away; and system administrators looking for a single 19-inch rack device that ties together workstations, a server and other floors.