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CRS & CSS switches

MikroTik Switches — CRS, CSS and netPower

MikroTik switches run either RouterOS (CRS — switch and route in one box) or SwOS (CSS and netPower — straightforward managed switching). Ports run from 5-port desktop units to 100 Gigabit QSFP28 aggregation.

41models
$64–$3,265price range
1G–100Gport speeds
AU warrantygenuine stock
Genuine
Genuine MikroTik, not grey import
Australian stock
Local stock, AU power leads
Australian warranty
Full manufacturer’s warranty
Pre-sales help
RouterOS design and sizing advice
CRS or CSS

Two operating systems, two jobs

The choice is simple. CRS switches run RouterOS, so they switch and route — VLANs with inter-VLAN routing, firewall rules, even BGP, on the switch itself. CSS and netPower run SwOS, a lighter switch-only OS: VLANs, port isolation and PoE management without the routing stack.

Buy a CRS when you want one box to do both, or when the switch is the layer-3 boundary. Buy a CSS when you just need reliable managed switching and PoE at the lowest cost. netPower models are the outdoor and PoE-heavy variants.

The range

CRS — Cloud Router Switch (RouterOS)

In stockMikroTik CRS105-5S-FB Outdoor Cloud Router Switch 400MHz 5xSFPMikroTik CRS105-5S-FB Outdoor Cloud Router Switch 400MHz 5xSFPIn stockMikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN 4 SFP+ and 1Gigabit Ethernet Ports Dual DC Inputs and POEMikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN 4 SFP+ and 1Gigabit Ethernet Ports Dual DC Inputs and POEIndentMikroTik CRS318-1Fi-15Fr-2S-OUT netPower 15FR Outdoor 800MHz 12x10MbpsMikroTik CRS318-1Fi-15Fr-2S-OUT netPower 15FR Outdoor 800MHz 12x10MbpsIn stockMikroTik CRS304-4XG-IN 4x10G Ethernet portsMikroTik CRS304-4XG-IN 4x10G Ethernet portsIn stockMikrotik CRS310-1G-5S-4S+IN Cloud Router Switch with RouterOS L5 licenseMikrotik CRS310-1G-5S-4S+IN Cloud Router Switch with RouterOS L5 licenseIndentMikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+IN 24 Gigabit switch 2 x SFP+ cages Desktop CaseMikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+IN 24 Gigabit switch 2 x SFP+ cages Desktop CaseIn stockMikrotik CRS112-8P-4S-IN Switch with POE-out RouterOS L5Mikrotik CRS112-8P-4S-IN Switch with POE-out RouterOS L5In stockMikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM 24 Gigabit switch 2 x SFP+ cages 1U rackmount Dual bootMikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM 24 Gigabit switch 2 x SFP+ cages 1U rackmount Dual bootIn stockMikrotik CRS310-8G+2S+IN Cloud Router Switch 8x 2.5Gb 2x SFP+Mikrotik CRS310-8G+2S+IN Cloud Router Switch 8x 2.5Gb 2x SFP+IndentMikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+OUT Outdoor FiberBox Plus 4 x 10G SFP+ IP66MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+OUT Outdoor FiberBox Plus 4 x 10G SFP+ IP66In stockMikrotik CRS310-1G-5S-4S+OUT FiberBox. Gigabit Ethernet, SFP/SFP+, PoEMikrotik CRS310-1G-5S-4S+OUT FiberBox. Gigabit Ethernet, SFP/SFP+, PoEIn stockMikroTik CRS309-1G-8S+IN 8 SFP+ and 1Gigabit Ethernet Ports POE and DC Input Rack Kit IncludedMikroTik CRS309-1G-8S+IN 8 SFP+ and 1Gigabit Ethernet Ports POE and DC Input Rack Kit IncludedIn stockMikroTik CRS318-16P-2S+OUT netPower 16P 16 Gigabit PoE ports 2 SFP+ IP55MikroTik CRS318-16P-2S+OUT netPower 16P 16 Gigabit PoE ports 2 SFP+ IP55In stockMikroTik CRS328-4C-20S-4S+RM Cloud Router Switch 800MHz 20xSFP 4xSFP+ Rack MountMikroTik CRS328-4C-20S-4S+RM Cloud Router Switch 800MHz 20xSFP 4xSFP+ Rack MountIn stockMikroTik CRS418-8P-8G-2S+RMMikroTik CRS418-8P-8G-2S+RMIn stockMikroTik CRS317-1G-16S+RM Cloud Router Switch OS L6 Rack MountMikroTik CRS317-1G-16S+RM Cloud Router Switch OS L6 Rack MountIn stockMikroTik CRS418-8P-8G-2S+5axQ2axQ-RM 8x 1G POE, 8x 1G, 2x 10SFP With 4x4 WifiMikroTik CRS418-8P-8G-2S+5axQ2axQ-RM 8x 1G POE, 8x 1G, 2x 10SFP With 4x4 WifiIn stockMikroTik CRS320-8P-8B-4S+RM 8 PoE++, 8PoE+ Gigabit Ethernet 4 SFP+ ports Rack MountMikroTik CRS320-8P-8B-4S+RM 8 PoE++, 8PoE+ Gigabit Ethernet 4 SFP+ ports Rack MountIn stockMikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM 500W 24 PoE+ Gigabit Ethernet 4 SFP+ ports Rack MountMikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM 500W 24 PoE+ Gigabit Ethernet 4 SFP+ ports Rack MountIn stockMikroTik CRS326-24S+2Q+RM 40Gpbs Switch 24 x SFP+, 2 x 40G QSFPMikroTik CRS326-24S+2Q+RM 40Gpbs Switch 24 x SFP+, 2 x 40G QSFPIn stockMikroTik CRS354-48G-4S+2Q+RM 48 Port Gigabit switch 4 x SFP+ cages 2 x 40G QSFP+ 1U rackmount Dual bootMikroTik CRS354-48G-4S+2Q+RM 48 Port Gigabit switch 4 x SFP+ cages 2 x 40G QSFP+ 1U rackmount Dual bootIn stockMikrotik CRS312-4C+8XG-RM 12-Port 10G Switch Dual Power Supply Rack KitMikrotik CRS312-4C+8XG-RM 12-Port 10G Switch Dual Power Supply Rack KitIndentMikrotik CRS504-4XQ-IN 4 x 100 Gigabit QSFP28 PortsMikrotik CRS504-4XQ-IN 4 x 100 Gigabit QSFP28 PortsIn stockMikrotik CRS504-4XQ-OUT 4 x 100 Gigabit QSFP28 Ports OutdoorMikrotik CRS504-4XQ-OUT 4 x 100 Gigabit QSFP28 Ports OutdoorIn stockMikroTik CRS326-4C+20G+2Q+RM 20x 2.5G, 4x Combo, 2x 40Gbps QSFP+ CagesMikroTik CRS326-4C+20G+2Q+RM 20x 2.5G, 4x Combo, 2x 40Gbps QSFP+ CagesIn stockMikroTik CRS354-48P-4S+2Q+RM 750W 48 Port Gigabit switch 4 x SFP+ cages 2 x 40G QSFP+ 1U rackmount Dual bootMikroTik CRS354-48P-4S+2Q+RM 750W 48 Port Gigabit switch 4 x SFP+ cages 2 x 40G QSFP+ 1U rackmount Dual bIn stockMikrotik CRS510-8XS-2XQ-IN 4 2x 100 Gigabit QSFP28 ports, 8x 25 Gigabit SFP28, dual hot-swap power suppliesMikrotik CRS510-8XS-2XQ-IN 4 2x 100 Gigabit QSFP28 ports, 8x 25 Gigabit SFP28, dual hot-swap power suppliIndentMikroTik CRS804-4DDQ-hRM 4x 400G QSFP56 + 2x 10G Ethernet Rackmount SwitchMikroTik CRS804-4DDQ-hRM 4x 400G QSFP56 + 2x 10G Ethernet Rackmount SwitchIndentMikrotik CRS812-8DS-2DQ-2DDQ-RM 2x 400G, 2x 200G, 8x 50G SFPs and 2x 10G EthernetMikrotik CRS812-8DS-2DQ-2DDQ-RM 2x 400G, 2x 200G, 8x 50G SFPs and 2x 10G EthernetIn stockMikrotik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM 2x 100G QSFP28 ports,16x 25G SFP28 portsMikrotik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM 2x 100G QSFP28 ports,16x 25G SFP28 portsIn stockMikrotik CRS520-4XS-16XQ-RM 16x 100G QSFP28 ports, 4x 25G SFP28 portsMikrotik CRS520-4XS-16XQ-RM 16x 100G QSFP28 ports, 4x 25G SFP28 ports
Compare

MikroTik switch ranges compared

RangeOSTypical portsBest for
CRS3xxRouterOS8–24 Gigabit + SFP+Access and distribution with routing
CRS5xxRouterOS25G, 100G QSFP28Aggregation, data centre edge
CRS8xxRouterOS100G / 400G QSFP56-DDHigh-density core
CSS610 / CSS326SwOS8–24 Gigabit + SFP+Cheap managed switching
netPowerSwOSPoE, outdoor-ratedMasts, cabinets, PoE-powered sites

Figures are manufacturer maximums. Ask us for a sizing check on your design.

Buying guide

How to choose a MikroTik switch

Do you need routing on the switch?

If yes, buy CRS. If the switch only has to move frames within VLANs, CSS is cheaper and does the job. Both are managed — SwOS is not "unmanaged", it just has no routing stack.

Match the optics to the switch

MikroTik ports take standard SFP, SFP+, SFP28 and QSFP28 modules, but the module must match the fibre type and distance at both ends. We stock matched MikroTik optics and DACs — buying them together removes the most common cause of a link not coming up.

Check the PoE standard before you connect anything

Some MikroTik PoE is passive, not 802.3af/at. Connecting a passive-PoE port to an 802.3af device, or the reverse, can damage hardware. The standard is listed on each product page.

Rackmount kits are separate

Desktop-case switches need a rack kit to mount. The K-79 fits the RB5009 series and the K-37 fits CCR and CRS models — add one to the order if the switch is going in a cabinet.

Speccing a switch stack?

Send us the port counts, PoE load, uplink speeds and whether you need routing on the switch, and we will spec it with the right optics.

Get a quote Call 1300 100 440
FAQ

MikroTik switches — questions

What is the difference between CRS and CSS MikroTik switches?
CRS runs RouterOS and can route as well as switch — VLANs with inter-VLAN routing, firewall, even BGP. CSS runs SwOS, a switch-only operating system. Both are managed.
Do MikroTik switches support PoE?
Many do. Check whether the model provides 802.3af/at or MikroTik passive PoE, because they are not interchangeable and mixing them can damage equipment.
Can I use third-party SFP modules?
Generally yes — the ports accept standard optics. The module still has to match the fibre type and distance at both ends, which is the usual reason a link fails.
Which MikroTik switch has 100 Gigabit ports?
The CRS5xx and CRS8xx ranges carry QSFP28 100G ports; the CRS804-4DDQ-hRM goes to 400G QSFP56-DD. The CCR2216 router also has 100G QSFP28 cages.
Do MikroTik switches need a licence?
No. RouterOS or SwOS is included with the hardware, with no subscription or per-port licensing.