As industries are evolving to meet the demands of high-speed data, cloud computing, and virtualization, network infrastructure is also under increasing pressure to deliver faster, more reliable connectivity. Older generation networking solutions often struggle to keep up with the surge in data-intensive applications, large-scale enterprise deployments, and the rise of hyperscale data centers. This has necessitated the development and adoption of high-performance 25G and 100G networking for industries requiring low-latency and high-throughput solutions, ensuring that businesses can scale and adapt to modern workloads with ease.

The MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM 100G switch is designed to meet the demand for enterprises and data centers that require robust switching capabilities, high-speed data throughput, and flexibility in their networking infrastructure. This switch caters to environments demanding extensive bandwidth and scalability, especially for backbone networking and large-scale enterprise setups. 

In this blog, we explore the key features and ideal use cases of the MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM, highlighting why it's an excellent choice for modern, data-heavy networks.

MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM Key Features

1. 16 SFP28 Ports for 25G Connectivity

The MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is equipped with 16 SFP28 ports, each supporting up to 25 Gbps speeds. This makes the switch ideal for high-bandwidth scenarios like server farms, data centers, and large enterprises, where rapid data transfer is essential.The 25G ports are backward compatible with 10 Gigabit and 1 Gigabit SFP devices and also offer connection flexibility in supporting fiber optics and DAC (Direct Attach Copper) cable usage. 

2. Two QSFP28 Ports for 100G Uplinks

In addition to its 25G ports, the MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM includes two QSFP28 ports that support up to 100 Gbps speeds. This capability provides incredibly fast uplinks to core routers or aggregation switches. These MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM 100G ports are perfect for handling massive data traffic loads in environments such as hyperscale data centers or backbone networks. Learn more on 100G networking here.

3. Advanced Switching Capacity

The MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM - 100G switch boasts an impressive switching capacity of up to 1.2 Tbps and a total non-blocking throughput of 600 Gbps. This helps ensure that even the most data-heavy operations can be handled without any bottlenecks. This capacity allows for extremely efficient packet forwarding and data handling, essential for modern networking environments.

4. Layer 3 Features with RouterOS and SwOS

The MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM provides dual operating system options: RouterOS and SwOS. 

RouterOS offers advanced Layer 3 hardware offloaded routing capabilities such as OSPF, BGP, VRRP, and MPLS, which are suitable for more complex networking needs, while SwOS focuses on Layer 2 switching. 

This flexibility gives users the choice between advanced routing functionality and streamlined management based on their specific requirements.

5.  Dual-redundant Hot-swappable Power Supplies

The MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM features two hot-swappable, redundant power supplies, allowing administrators to replace or service the power supplies without shutting down the switch, ensuring continuous operation in mission-critical scenarios. This feature is particularly important for industries like data centers, financial institutions, and telecom providers, where network reliability is paramount.

The two hot-swap power supplies support a high input voltage range: 100-240V. The board itself uses up to 45W of power, while the total maximum power consumption goes up to 77W with all the attachments. Admittedly, the switch is a bit more power-hungry than the CRS504, but you would be too if you had 16x 25-Gigabit ports, wouldn’t you? 

Watch MikroTik product news: CRS518-16XS-2XQ

Ideal Use Cases for the MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM

1. Data Centers

The CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is ideal for data centers that require high-speed, low-latency connections between servers, storage devices, and the network core. With its 16 SFP28 ports and 2 QSFP28 uplinks, this switch can easily handle massive amounts of data traffic, making it a key part of any data center's infrastructure.

2. Enterprise Backbone Networks

For large enterprises with demanding internal network traffic, this switch can act as a backbone, connecting various departments or regional offices. The 100G uplinks allow for rapid data transfer between buildings or regions, ensuring that enterprise applications such as ERP systems, cloud services, and VoIP solutions run smoothly.

3. Service Provider Networks

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and telecommunications companies can leverage the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM as a core or aggregation switch in their network. The ability to handle high-throughput traffic across long distances with minimal latency makes it a solid choice for ISPs aiming to support growing customer demands for bandwidth and reliability.

4. Cloud and Virtualization Environments

With the rise of cloud-based services and virtualization, businesses need infrastructure that can handle large volumes of data quickly and reliably. The 25G SFP28 ports on the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM are perfect for connecting hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI), virtualized environments, and cloud storage solutions, ensuring fast and secure data access.

5. High-Performance Computing (HPC) Clusters

In research facilities and educational institutions where high-performance computing clusters are common, the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM can serve as the interconnect for multiple compute nodes, providing fast, low-latency communication between nodes and storage systems.

Why Consider the MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM?

1. Price-to-Performance Ratio

One of the most compelling aspects of MikroTik’s CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is its ability to deliver high-speed performance at a fraction of the cost compared to other enterprise-grade switches. The combination of 25G and 100G ports provides the bandwidth necessary for high-demand environments without the premium price tag of many competitors in this category.

2. Flexibility for Different Network Architectures

Whether your network requires Layer 2 simplicity or advanced Layer 3 routing, the dual OS option between RouterOS and SwOS gives administrators the freedom to configure the switch based on their specific needs. This makes the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM adaptable to both small businesses and large enterprise deployments.

3. Scalability for Growing Networks

As businesses and networks scale, so does the need for faster interconnects and larger capacity. The CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM’s combination of 25G SFP28 ports and 100G QSFP28 uplinks ensures that growing networks have the room to expand without the need for frequent hardware upgrades.

4. Lower Total Cost of Ownership

With its energy-efficient operation, the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM helps businesses lower their overall operating expenses, particularly when it comes to power consumption and maintenance. The switch’s reliability and reduced need for frequent upgrades also contribute to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

5. Future-Proofing for Emerging Technologies

As network requirements continue to evolve the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is well-positioned to handle future needs. Its 25G and 100G ports make it a future-proof solution that can adapt to the increasing bandwidth demands brought on by these emerging technologies.

Switch Up Your Enterprise and Data Center Networks with the MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM

The MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is a powerful and flexible switch designed for modern, high-performance networking environments. 

Its combination of 25G and 100G ports, dual operating system support, and energy-efficient design provides excellent value for data centers, enterprises, ISPs, and other demanding network setups. 

Whether you need a backbone switch for a growing business or a scalable solution for a cloud-based infrastructure, the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM offers an unbeatable combination of features and performance at a cost-effective price point.

Contact us today for more information or to place your order for the MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM.