MikroTik CRS326-24S+2Q+RM

MikroTik CRS326-24S+2Q+RM Cloud Router Switch – 2x 40 Gbps QSFP+ | 24x 10 Gbps SFP+

Description 

The CRS326‑24S+2Q+RM is a high-performance, rack-mountable managed network switch manufactured by MikroTik, featuring 24 SFP+ (10 Gbps) ports and 2 QSFP+ (40 Gbps) ports, designed to provide high-speed fiber-based connectivity for data centers, enterprise networks, and ISPs. It supports Layer 2 switching and optional Layer 3 routing (when using RouterOS) and can be managed using MikroTik’s SwOS or RouterOS software.

Key Specifications

• 24 × SFP+ ports (10G)

• 2 × QSFP+ ports (40G)

• 1U rackmount chassis

• Dual power supply support (depending on revision)

• Switching capacity: 320 Gbps

• Forwarding rate: 252 Mpps

• Non-blocking architecture

• Management port (1× Gigabit Ethernet)

• Serial console (RJ45)

Features

Software & Management

• SwOS: Simple, efficient switch operating system

• RouterOS: Optional full routing and advanced network features

• Web GUI, CLI, SNMP, API — multiple management options

• Dedicated management Ethernet port

• Console (serial) port

Switching & Protocols

• VLAN support (802.1Q)

• Link Aggregation (LACP)

• Spanning Tree (RSTP, MSTP)

• Access Control Lists (ACLs)

• Jumbo frame support

Performance

• High switching capacity — suitable for heavy network traffic

• Non‑blocking architecture — full throughput on all ports

Advanced Networking (with RouterOS)

• Static routing

• Dynamic routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP) (depending on RouterOS features)

Expandability & Flexibility

• QSFP+ ports can be used as 40G uplinks or broken out into 4×10G

• Works with many SFP+/QSFP+ modules and DAC/AOC transceivers

The typical uses of the CRS326‑24S+2Q+RM switch are centered around high-speed fiber networks where many 10 Gbps connections need to be aggregated or connected to a 40 Gbps backbone. Here’s a breakdown:

Typical Use Cases

1. Data Center Top-of-Rack Switch

   • Connects multiple servers via 10G fiber

   • Aggregates traffic to 40G uplinks to the core switch

2. ISP or Metro Network Aggregation

   • Handles many fiber connections for subscribers or inter-office links

   • Supports VLANs and LACP for traffic segmentation and redundancy

3. Enterprise Backbone or Core Switch

   • Connects multiple access switches in large office or campus networks

   • Provides high-speed uplinks and redundancy

4. High-Speed Lab or Test Environments

   • Ideal for networking labs needing 10G/40G fiber connections

   • Can test routing, switching, VLANs, and high-throughput scenarios

5. Fiber Edge Distribution

   • Aggregates fiber links from multiple buildings or floors before connecting to core

   • Supports VLAN tagging, ACLs, and Spanning Tree for network reliability