MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM network switch 16 × SFP28 25G, 2 × QSFP28 100G

The CRS518 is designed as a distribution-layer switch: its 16 SFP28 ports connect servers, storage systems and access switches at 25 Gbit/s, while the two QSFP28 ports provide 100 Gbit/s links to core routers or other switches. The 25G ports are backward compatible with 10G and 1G SFP devices, so existing modules remain usable and the network can be upgraded step by step.

At the heart of the switch is the Marvell Prestera Aldrin2 chip, the same one MikroTik uses in its flagship CCR2216 router. It handles Layer 3 routing in hardware, so traffic filtering and network policy enforcement do not load the CPU. A switching capacity of 1200 Gbit/s means all ports can run at full speed simultaneously, with no internal bottleneck between them.

RouterOS supports VLANs per 802.1Q and 802.1ad, L3 hardware offloaded routing, ACL rules, LACP link aggregation and MLAG, which lets a device connect redundantly to two switches. Jumbo frames and IGMP/MLD snooping for multicast traffic control are supported as well. For management there is a dedicated 10/100 RJ-45 port, an RJ-45 console and a USB Type-A port.

Both power supplies and the fans are hot-swappable: a failed part can be replaced without switching the unit off or interrupting the network. There are four fans, the switch runs on 100–240 V AC and typical consumption is 45 W. The operating range of −40 to 70 °C is very wide, and the IP20 rating means it is meant for indoor rack installation. The manufacturer quotes a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 200,000 hours. The unit holds CE, EAC and RoHS certification.

Data centres and server rooms where servers need 25G connections and the core needs 100G links; internet providers and large companies building a distribution layer; and administrators who value redundant power and cooling, plus uninterrupted connectivity to two switches via MLAG. A single unit can serve up to sixteen 25G servers or access switches.