MikroTik CRS520-4XS-16XQ-RM – 100G Cloud Router Switch for Data Centers

Overview

The MikroTik CRS520-4XS-16XQ-RM is a next-generation enterprise-grade 100 Gigabit switch designed for data centers, ISPs, and high-performance enterprise networks. With an advanced hardware architecture, powerful CPU, and ultra-high-speed fiber connectivity, this switch delivers exceptional throughput for demanding networking environments.

Equipped with 16 × 100G QSFP28 ports, 4 × 25G SFP28 ports, and 2 × 10G Ethernet ports, the CRS520-4XS-16XQ-RM provides massive switching capacity and flexible high-speed connectivity. It is ideal for core switching, data center aggregation, and high-capacity backbone networks.

Powered by RouterOS v7 and a quad-core 2 GHz ARM processor, this switch combines advanced switching capabilities with routing functionality, enabling flexible and scalable network deployment.

Key Features

Ultra-High-Speed 100G Connectivity

The CRS520-4XS-16XQ-RM is built for modern high-bandwidth networks with multiple high-speed interfaces:

• 16 × 100G QSFP28 ports

• 4 × 25G SFP28 ports

• 2 × 10G Ethernet ports

These ports support multiple link speeds depending on the module used, allowing flexible deployment across different network architectures.

Powerful Quad-Core ARM Processor

At the heart of the switch is a quad-core Annapurna Labs AL52400 ARM processor running at 2 GHz, delivering strong processing performance for routing and network management tasks.

Combined with 4 GB DDR4 RAM, the device can efficiently handle complex network operations and large routing tables.

Advanced RouterOS Networking Features

The switch runs MikroTik RouterOS v7 (License Level 5), offering a wide range of advanced networking capabilities such as:

• VLAN and VLAN stacking (802.1Q / 802.1ad)

• Dynamic routing protocols (BGP, OSPF)

• Hardware-accelerated Layer 3 routing

• Link aggregation (LACP)

• Advanced firewall and QoS

• Traffic monitoring and analytics

High-Performance Switch Chip

The device uses the Marvell 98CX8410 switch chip, providing extremely high switching capacity and efficient packet forwarding for enterprise and carrier networks.

This ensures high reliability and stable performance even in high-traffic environments such as data centers and ISP infrastructure.

Data Center-Ready Design

The CRS520-4XS-16XQ-RM is built for professional deployments with:

• 1U rackmount chassis

• Dual redundant AC power supplies

• Hot-swappable cooling fans

• Efficient airflow for data center racks

These features ensure continuous operation and high reliability for mission-critical networks.

Technical Specifications

Model: CRS520-4XS-16XQ-RM
Product Type: Cloud Router Switch

Processor

• CPU: AL52400 Quad-Core ARM

• CPU Frequency: 2 GHz

• Architecture: ARM 64-bit

Memory

• 4 GB DDR4 RAM

• 128 MB NAND storage

Interfaces

• 16 × 100G QSFP28 ports

• 4 × 25G SFP28 ports

• 2 × 1G / 2.5G / 5G / 10G Ethernet ports

Operating System

• MikroTik RouterOS v7

• License Level 5

Power

• Dual AC power inputs (100–240 V)

• Maximum power consumption ~150 W

Cooling

• 4 hot-swappable cooling fans

Dimensions

• 443 × 367 × 44 mm (1U rackmount)

Operating Temperature

• −20 °C to +50 °C

Ideal Use Cases

The MikroTik CRS520-4XS-16XQ-RM is ideal for:

• Data center switching infrastructure

• Internet Service Provider (ISP) backbone networks

• High-capacity network aggregation

• Cloud infrastructure deployments

• Enterprise core switching

• High-performance storage networks

Why Choose MikroTik CRS520-4XS-16XQ-RM?

• 16 × 100G QSFP28 ports for extreme bandwidth

• 4 × 25G SFP28 ports for high-speed aggregation

• Powerful quad-core ARM CPU

• RouterOS advanced networking capabilities

• Reliable data center rackmount design

• Ideal for ISPs, cloud providers, and enterprise networks