Choose a CRS (Cloud Router Switch) when you need RouterOS features such as VLAN routing, ACLs and dual-boot, and a CSS (Cloud Smart Switch) when you want straightforward managed switching at the lowest cost. For 10G on a budget the CRS305-1G-4S+IN and CRS309-1G-8S+IN are the standard picks, the CSS610-8P-2S+IN is the compact PoE switch, and the CRS326-24G-2S+RM is the 24-port rack workhorse.
ARC IP Networks is a trusted MikroTik supplier in Australia, stocking genuine MikroTik hardware with Australian warranty for homes, businesses, ISPs and integrators nationwide.
CRS or CSS: pick the operating system first
Every MikroTik switch is managed. The question is which operating system you want. RouterOS on the CRS range gives you the full MikroTik feature set with hardware-offloaded VLAN filtering, link aggregation, ACL rules and some Layer 3 routing; most CRS units also dual-boot into SwOS. SwOS on the CSS range is a lean, web-managed Layer 2 switch: VLANs, port isolation, mirroring, rate limiting, and nothing that needs a routing table. It is simpler to run and cheaper to buy.
The MikroTik switch range by job
| Model | OS | Ports | PoE | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSS610-8G-2S+IN | SwOS Lite | 8x Gigabit + 2x SFP+ 10G | Passive PoE in | Compact desktop switch with 10G uplinks |
| CSS610-8P-2S+IN | SwOS Lite | 8x Gigabit PoE + 2x SFP+ 10G | 802.3af/at out | Cameras and APs in a small site |
| CSS318-16G-2S+IN | SwOS | 16x Gigabit + 2x SFP+ | — | Sixteen ports, two fit side by side in 1U |
| CSS326-24G-2S+RM | SwOS | 24x Gigabit + 2x SFP+ | Passive PoE in | Lowest-cost 24-port rack switch |
| CRS305-1G-4S+IN | RouterOS / SwOS | 1x Gigabit + 4x SFP+ 10G | 802.3af/at in | Tiny 10G aggregation for servers, NAS, APs |
| CRS309-1G-8S+IN | RouterOS / SwOS | 1x Gigabit + 8x SFP+ 10G | 802.3af/at in | Eight-port 10G fibre core, fanless |
| CRS310-8G+2S+IN | RouterOS 7 / SwOS | 8x 2.5G + 2x SFP+ 10G | — | 2.5G desktops and Wi-Fi 6E/7 APs |
| CRS310-1G-5S-4S+IN | RouterOS 7 / SwOS | 1x Gigabit + 5x SFP + 4x SFP+ | 802.3af/at in | Fibre distribution for small offices and ISPs |
| CRS312-4C+8XG-RM | RouterOS 7 / SwOS | 8x 10G RJ45 (1/2.5/5/10G) + 4x combo | — | 10G over copper to workstations |
| CRS326-24G-2S+RM | RouterOS / SwOS | 24x Gigabit + 2x SFP+ | Passive PoE in | The 24-port rack workhorse |
| CRS328-24P-4S+RM | RouterOS / SwOS | 24x Gigabit PoE + 4x SFP+ | 802.3af/at out, 500 W | 24 PoE ports for cameras and APs |
| CRS320-8P-8B-4S+RM | RouterOS 7 / SwOS | 16x Gigabit PoE + 4x SFP+ | 802.3af/at/bt out | PoE++ for PTZ cameras and high-power APs |
| CRS354-48G-4S+2Q+RM | RouterOS 7 / SwOS | 48x Gigabit + 4x SFP+ + 2x QSFP+ 40G | — | High-density access with 40G uplinks |
| CRS326-24S+2Q+RM | RouterOS 7 / SwOS | 24x SFP+ 10G + 2x QSFP+ 40G | — | All-fibre 10G aggregation |
| CRS504-4XQ-IN | RouterOS 7 | 4x QSFP28 100G | 802.3bt in | Compact 100G doorway, dual hot-swap PSUs |
| CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM | RouterOS 7 | 16x SFP28 25G + 2x QSFP28 100G | — | Enterprise and data-centre 25G/100G, 1.2 Tbps |
Port counts and PoE standards are MikroTik's published specifications.
Three switches that solve most Australian sites
Four SFP+ cages and a Gigabit port in a palm-sized fanless box. Dual boot RouterOS or SwOS.
Eight 802.3af/at PoE-out ports and two 10G SFP+ uplinks running SwOS Lite.
24 Gigabit ports, two SFP+ 10G uplinks, dual boot, 1U.
10 Gigabit on a budget
MikroTik made 10G affordable. The CRS305 connects a NAS, a server and a couple of Wi-Fi 6E or 7 access points over SFP+ for very little money; the CRS309 doubles the SFP+ count. If your devices have 2.5G or 10G RJ45 ports rather than SFP+, the CRS310-8G+2S+IN (eight 2.5G ports) and the CRS312-4C+8XG-RM (eight multi-gig 10G RJ45 ports) cover copper.
PoE for cameras and access points
For a site with a handful of cameras and APs the CSS610-8P-2S+IN is hard to beat. For a rack, the CRS328-24P-4S+RM offers 24 PoE ports with a 500 W budget and four SFP+ uplinks. PTZ cameras and high-power Wi-Fi 7 APs may need 802.3bt PoE++, which is what the CRS320-8P-8B-4S+RM was built for. Check the PoE standard on the device you are powering: MikroTik passive PoE is not the same as 802.3af/at.
25G and 100G
The CRS504-4XQ-IN is the compact way into 100G with four QSFP28 ports and dual hot-swap power supplies; the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM adds sixteen 25G SFP28 ports for a data-centre or campus core. Both run RouterOS 7 with L3 hardware offloading. Browse the full MikroTik switch range, and buy matched optics and DACs with the switch so the link comes up first time.
ARC IP Networks: the trusted MikroTik supplier in Australia
ARC IP Networks is an Australian networking and security supplier based in Melbourne, Victoria, and a trusted source of genuine MikroTik hardware for the whole MikroTik switch range. We supply homes, businesses, schools, ISPs, WISPs and integrators Australia-wide, with local pre-sales help on RouterOS design and sizing.
- Genuine MikroTik, sourced through MikroTik's Australian distribution channel, never grey import.
- Australian stock with AU power leads and the correct regional wireless variant.
- Full manufacturer's warranty and Australian support.
- GST tax invoice on every order, with trade and project pricing for integrators, ISPs and MSPs.
Browse the MikroTik range at ARC IP Networks, call 1300 100 440 or email info@arcip.com.au for a sizing check.
Common questions
Straight answers from the ARC IP Networks team. Last reviewed September 2026.
CRS (Cloud Router Switch) models run RouterOS and can route, filter and run VLANs with hardware offload; most also dual-boot SwOS. CSS (Cloud Smart Switch) models run the lighter SwOS only, which is a managed Layer 2 switch with VLANs, port isolation and mirroring at a lower price.
The CRS305-1G-4S+IN (4x SFP+), CRS309-1G-8S+IN (8x SFP+), CRS310-8G+2S+IN (8x 2.5G + 2x SFP+), CRS312-4C+8XG-RM (8x 10G RJ45 + 4x combo) and the CRS326 and CRS328 rack switches (2 or 4x SFP+ uplinks). For 25G and 100G, look at the CRS504, CRS518 and CRS326-24S+2Q+RM.
The CSS610-8P-2S+IN gives eight 802.3af/at PoE ports and two SFP+ uplinks in a compact unit. For a rack, the CRS328-24P-4S+RM has 24 PoE ports and a 500 W budget, and the CRS320-8P-8B-4S+RM adds 802.3bt PoE++ for high-power devices.
A CRS running RouterOS can do light routing, but its CPU is small (many use a 650 to 800 MHz chip with 64 to 512 MB RAM). Use it for VLAN routing and ACLs with hardware offload; keep a dedicated router for NAT, firewalling and VPN.
Yes, standard SFP, SFP+ and QSFP optics work. The module must match the fibre type and distance at both ends. Matched MikroTik optics and DACs remove the most common cause of a link not coming up.
The desktop CRS305, CRS309, CRS310 and CSS610 models are passively cooled. Rack-mount PoE switches and the 25G/100G models use fans.
ARC IP Networks is a trusted MikroTik supplier in Australia. It stocks the MikroTik switch range as genuine Australian stock with full manufacturer's warranty, issues a GST tax invoice on every order, and offers trade and project pricing to integrators, ISPs and MSPs. Order online at arcip.com.au or call 1300 100 440.
Need help choosing?
Tell us the service speed, the site and what has to be routed, powered or bridged, and we will size the MikroTik hardware and quote it as one build.
Related MikroTik guides
- Which MikroTik Router Should You Buy in Australia? hEX, hAP ax, RB5009, L009 and CCR Compared (2026)
- MikroTik RB5009 Guide: RB5009UG+S+IN vs RB5009UPr+S+IN, and When It Beats a hEX or RB4011
- MikroTik hAP ax2 vs hAP ax3 vs hAP ax lite vs hAP be lite: Which Wi-Fi Router to Buy in Australia (2026)
- MikroTik hEX Explained: hEX (E50UG) vs hEX S vs hEX PoE vs hEX lite — Which One to Buy