Description
The MikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM is a versatile and robust networking solution designed for businesses and enterprises that require a powerful and flexible switch to manage their network infrastructure. This switch comes equipped with 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 4 SFP+ ports, and PoE capabilities, making it a comprehensive choice for various networking needs.
Overview
The CRS328-24P-4S+RM is part of MikroTik?s Cloud Router Switch series, which is renowned for its reliability, advanced features, and high performance. This switch is specifically designed to offer a balance of power, functionality, and cost-effectiveness, providing network administrators with a tool that can handle the most demanding tasks while remaining user-friendly.
Design and Build Quality
The switch is housed in a durable metal enclosure that ensures long-term reliability and protection in demanding environments. Its 1U rack-mountable design makes it easy to integrate into standard server racks, allowing for organized and efficient network setups. The passive cooling system ensures silent operation, which is ideal for noise-sensitive environments such as offices and data centers.
Port Configuration
The CRS328-24P-4S+RM offers a comprehensive set of ports to meet various networking requirements:
24 Gigabit Ethernet Ports: These ports provide high-speed connectivity for a wide range of devices, including computers, servers, and network storage, ensuring efficient data transfer and reliable network performance.
4 SFP+ Ports: These ports support 10G fiber modules, providing high-speed uplinks and inter-switch connections that are essential for handling large volumes of data and ensuring seamless network performance.
PoE Capabilities: The 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports support Power over Ethernet (PoE), allowing the switch to power compatible devices such as IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points directly through the Ethernet cable. This feature simplifies installation and reduces the need for additional power supplies.
Performance and Processing Power
The CRS328-24P-4S+RM is powered by a robust ARM 32-bit single-core 800 MHz CPU, complemented by 512 MB of RAM. This powerful combination ensures that the switch can handle demanding networking tasks, maintain optimal performance under heavy traffic loads, and provide reliable operation in various deployment scenarios.
Operating System and Management
This switch runs on MikroTik?s dual-boot operating system, offering both SwitchOS and RouterOS:
SwitchOS: Ideal for straightforward switch management tasks, providing essential features such as VLAN configuration, port monitoring, and basic Layer 2 switching.
RouterOS: A feature-rich operating system that offers advanced routing, firewall, and VPN capabilities, making it suitable for complex network management and control.
Both operating systems provide multiple management options, including a web-based GUI, command-line interface (CLI), and MikroTik?s WinBox application. This flexibility ensures that network administrators can manage the switch using their preferred tools and methods, enhancing operational efficiency.
Key Features
PoE Support: The 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports support PoE (802.3af/at and Passive PoE) with a total power budget of 500W, enabling the switch to power multiple PoE-compatible devices.
VLAN Support: Enables network segmentation for enhanced security and performance.
Link Aggregation: Supports link aggregation (LACP) to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy.
Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritizes network traffic to ensure that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and resources.
Advanced Security: Includes features such as port security, MAC filtering, and access control lists (ACLs) to protect against unauthorized access and cyber threats.
High-Speed Uplinks: The 10G SFP+ ports provide high-speed uplinks, essential for inter-switch links and connecting to core network devices.
Power and Energy Efficiency
The CRS328-24P-4S+RM is designed with energy efficiency in mind. It supports various power-saving features that reduce power consumption during periods of low activity, helping to lower operational costs and contribute to a greener network infrastructure. The PoE feature also helps in reducing cable clutter and power adapter requirements, making the setup cleaner and more efficient.
Application Scenarios
The CRS328-24P-4S+RM is versatile and can be deployed in various scenarios, including:
Small to Medium-Sized Business Networks: Provides a reliable and high-performance solution for managing network connectivity for workstations, servers, and other networked devices, while also powering PoE-compatible devices.
Enterprise Networks: Suitable for larger enterprise environments, offering extensive port options and high-speed uplinks for efficient data transfer and network management.
Data Centers: Ideal for providing high-speed connectivity for servers, storage devices, and other critical data center hardware, with the added benefit of PoE for simplifying the network setup.
Conclusion
In summary, the MikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM Cloud Router Switch is a powerful and high-performance switch that combines extensive port options, robust processing capabilities, and advanced management features. Its PoE support, dual-boot operating system, high-speed uplinks, and comprehensive security features make it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses, large enterprises, and data centers. Whether you need to connect high-speed devices, provide reliable uplinks, or manage complex network tasks, the CRS328-24P-4S+RM delivers the performance and reliability required to meet modern networking demands.
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