MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM 100G Cloud Router Switch

Overview

The MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is a high-performance enterprise and data-center switch designed to deliver ultra-fast networking with exceptional reliability. Built for modern network infrastructures, it provides 16× 25-Gigabit SFP28 ports and 2× 100-Gigabit QSFP28 uplink ports, enabling massive throughput for data centers, enterprise networks, and high-bandwidth applications.

With a 1.2 Tbps switching capacity and powerful switching architecture, this device ensures seamless data flow even in large-scale environments. It runs on RouterOS v7, giving administrators advanced routing, switching, and network management capabilities.

The CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is ideal for organizations requiring high-speed aggregation switching, core networking, and data-center connectivity while maintaining cost-efficient performance.

Key Features

Ultra-Fast 100G and 25G Connectivity

The switch offers 16 SFP28 25GbE ports and 2 QSFP28 100GbE ports, enabling ultra-fast connections for servers, storage systems, and backbone networks.

Massive Switching Performance

With 1.2 Tbps switching capacity and up to 600 Mpps forwarding rate, the device ensures high throughput without bottlenecks even in demanding enterprise networks.

Backward Compatibility

The 25G SFP28 ports support 10G and 1G SFP modules, allowing flexible integration with existing network infrastructure.

Dual Redundant Power Supplies

Two hot-swappable power supplies provide redundancy and prevent downtime, making the switch ideal for mission-critical deployments.

Advanced Layer 3 Hardware Offloading

Powered by a Marvell Prestera switch chip, the CRS518 supports advanced networking features including VLANs, ACLs, LACP, MLAG, and hardware-offloaded Layer-3 routing.

Reliable Cooling System

The device features hot-swappable cooling fans that maintain optimal performance and system stability even in high-density network environments.

Technical Specifications

Product Code: CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM
Operating System: RouterOS v7
Switch Chip: Marvell Prestera 98DX8525
CPU: QCA9531 – 650 MHz
Architecture: MIPSBE

Ports

• 16 × 25G SFP28 fiber ports

• 2 × 100G QSFP28 uplink ports

• 1 × 10/100 Ethernet management port

• 1 × USB Type-A port

Hardware

• RAM: 64 MB

• Storage: 16 MB Flash

• Switching Capacity: 1.2 Tbps

• Forwarding Rate: Up to 600 Mpps

Power

• Dual AC power supplies (100-240 V)

• Maximum power consumption: ~77–95 W

• Hot-swappable PSU support

Environmental

• Operating temperature: -40°C to 70°C

• MTBF: ~200,000 hours

Enterprise Networking Features

The MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM supports advanced networking capabilities including:

• VLAN (802.1Q and 802.1ad)

• Layer-3 hardware offloaded routing

• Link Aggregation (LACP)

• Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation (MLAG)

• Access Control Lists (ACL)

• Jumbo frames support

• IGMP and MLD snooping

These features make it ideal for core switching, data center aggregation, and high-capacity network deployments.

Ideal Use Cases

The CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is suitable for:

• Data centers and server farms

• Enterprise core switching

• ISP network aggregation

• High-performance campus networks

• Storage and virtualization environments

• Cloud infrastructure networks