25G access density • 100G backbone connectivity
MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM in Dubai, UAE
A high-density rackmount switch for server, storage and aggregation networks that require sixteen SFP28 interfaces, two QSFP28 uplinks and a practical RouterOS management environment.
Quote preparation essentials
Share the number of 25G endpoints, required 100G uplinks, fibre distances, cable type, redundancy expectations and installation location.
Optics, DACs, breakout cables and configuration services should be confirmed separately.
Direct answer for buyers
The MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is a 100 Gigabit-capable enterprise and data-centre switch that concentrates sixteen 25G-class SFP28 connections into two 100G-class QSFP28 uplinks. It is mainly considered for server racks, storage networks, virtualisation clusters, high-speed distribution and aggregation layers. Organisations should evaluate it when port density, flexible optical connectivity, rack serviceability and RouterOS-based control are important. Before proceeding, confirm every transceiver or cable, the intended link speed on each port, fibre distance, airflow direction, power feeds, VLAN and routing design, firmware policy, redundancy method and whether deployment assistance is required.
What the CRS518 does
The CRS518 acts as a high-bandwidth switching point between servers, storage appliances, other switches and core infrastructure. Sixteen SFP28 cages provide dense edge or leaf connectivity, while two QSFP28 cages can provide high-speed uplinks, inter-switch links or breakout connections where supported. This architecture is useful when a rack contains many 10G or 25G systems but the upstream network needs 40G or 100G capacity.
Its RouterOS v7 operating environment provides familiar MikroTik configuration workflows for bridging, VLANs, link aggregation, monitoring, management access and supported hardware-offloaded functions. The switch should still be selected as part of a complete topology rather than only by its headline port count.
Who should consider it
The model may suit cloud and hosting providers, enterprise data centres, managed service operators, universities, media-production facilities, research environments, systems integrators and businesses consolidating high-speed compute infrastructure. It is especially relevant where several servers need 25G links and where a pair of 100G interfaces can connect the rack to a spine, core, router or second switch.
It may be less suitable for buyers who mainly need copper access ports, extensive PoE delivery, silent office operation or a simple unmanaged switch. Those requirements point toward a different product category or a mixed switching design.
Business challenges this switch can address
Server-port concentration
Dense SFP28 connectivity helps consolidate many high-speed server or appliance links in one rack unit rather than distributing them across several lower-density switches.
Backbone bottlenecks
Two QSFP28 interfaces give designers an option for 100G uplinks, reducing the risk that multiple 25G endpoints share an undersized upstream connection.
Maintenance planning
Hot-swappable power and fan components allow maintenance strategies that avoid taking the whole switch offline for every replaceable-component event, subject to correct redundancy design.
Platform consistency
Teams already using RouterOS can manage the CRS518 through established MikroTik tools and operational practices, while still validating feature support for the intended software release.
Product-fit decision matrix
| Requirement | Suitable when | Confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| 25G server access | Multiple hosts, storage nodes or appliances need SFP28 connectivity. | NIC type, optics or DAC compatibility, FEC settings and cable distance. |
| 100G aggregation | The rack needs one or two high-capacity links to a core or spine. | QSFP28 module, fibre type, breakout need and peer-interface support. |
| Resilient rack operation | Dual power feeds and replaceable cooling are part of the operational design. | Independent circuits, rack airflow, spare policy and monitoring process. |
| RouterOS management | The network team wants MikroTik configuration and monitoring workflows. | Required feature support, approved RouterOS release and change controls. |
| Copper-heavy access | Only when suitable transceivers and thermal limits are carefully assessed. | Module power draw, supported speed, heat and total attachment power budget. |
Verified technical information
| Brand | MikroTik |
|---|---|
| Model | CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM |
| Product type | Rackmount Cloud Router Switch for enterprise and data-centre networks |
| Switching capacity | 1.2 Tbps |
| SFP28 interfaces | 16 cages supporting compatible 1G, 10G and 25G modules or cables |
| QSFP28 interfaces | 2 cages for compatible 40G/100G and supported breakout arrangements |
| Management Ethernet | 1 × 10/100 Ethernet port |
| Console | RJ45 serial console |
| Operating system | RouterOS v7, licence level 6 |
| CPU | Single-core 650 MHz processor |
| Memory and storage | 64 MB RAM and 16 MB flash storage |
| USB | USB 3.0 Type-A port |
| Power | Two hot-swappable 12 V 150 W AC/DC power supplies; 100–240 V AC input |
| Maximum power consumption | 95 W; 45 W without attachments |
| Cooling | Hot-swappable fan modules |
| Mounting | Indoor rackmount or desktop placement with supplied mounting accessories |
| Operating temperature | -40°C to 70°C, subject to device and attachment conditions |
| Availability | Contact FourTeck for current UAE quantity, lead time and accessory options. |
Compatibility and dependency notice
SFP28 and QSFP28 cages do not remove the need to validate the complete physical link. A successful connection depends on the module or direct-attach cable, wavelength, fibre grade, connector type, distance, peer device, supported speed, auto-negotiation behaviour and Forward Error Correction settings. Copper transceivers can draw more power and generate more heat than optical modules or DACs, so dense copper-module deployment should be checked against MikroTik compatibility guidance and the switch attachment-power budget.
Hardware-offloaded Layer 3 capability is feature and configuration dependent. Buyers planning complex routing, large tables, overlays, policy enforcement or specialised data-centre protocols should review current RouterOS documentation and test the intended design rather than assume every software function runs at switching-chip performance.
A practical purchase and deployment journey
Map traffic
Identify server, storage, firewall, router and upstream connections, including current and forecast bandwidth.
Select media
Choose DAC, active optical cable or fibre transceivers for every port according to distance and peer equipment.
Design resilience
Plan dual power feeds, uplink diversity, link aggregation, spare components and maintenance procedures.
Prepare configuration
Define management access, VLANs, trunks, MTU, monitoring, logging, security controls and rollback steps.
Test and hand over
Validate links, failover, throughput expectations, alarms, documentation and administrator access before production use.
High-density 25G access without wasting rack space
A central reason to choose the CRS518 is the concentration of sixteen SFP28 cages in a single rackmount platform. In a virtualisation or private-cloud rack, these ports can connect hypervisors, storage nodes, backup appliances and security systems using suitable 10G or 25G interfaces. The result can be a cleaner cabling plan and fewer inter-switch hops than a design assembled from several lower-capacity access switches.
Density is valuable only when the surrounding design supports it. Each endpoint must have a compatible network adapter, matching module or cable and a link configuration that both sides understand. For 25G Ethernet, buyers should pay particular attention to FEC requirements because adapters and switches can differ in default behaviour. For 10G or 1G reuse, the chosen module must be supported and the port speed must be configured correctly. FourTeck can help build a port-by-port bill of materials so the quotation includes the actual connectivity components rather than only the chassis.
The layout also suits staged upgrades. A business may begin with 10G server connections and migrate selected workloads to 25G as systems are refreshed, although every proposed module should be checked against the current MikroTik compatibility list. This approach can protect cabling and rack investments, but it should not be treated as universal compatibility with every third-party optic.
100G uplinks for aggregation and spine connectivity
The two QSFP28 interfaces are the natural upstream path for the sixteen SFP28 access ports. In a leaf-and-spine design, they can connect the rack to one or two spine switches. In a smaller enterprise, they may connect to a core switch, high-capacity router or another CRS518. When resilience is required, each uplink can terminate on a different upstream device, provided the topology, control protocols and peer equipment support the chosen design.
A QSFP28 interface can also be useful for breakout connections. MikroTik offers a QSFP28-to-four-SFP28 breakout cable for supported scenarios, allowing one high-capacity cage to connect multiple 25G devices. Breakout should be confirmed against the exact peer port, RouterOS release and cabling plan; it should not be assumed merely because the connector is physically compatible.
The overall 1.2 Tbps switching-capacity figure indicates that the platform is built for substantial internal traffic, but application performance still depends on frame size, configuration, traffic patterns, buffering, oversubscription and whether packets remain in hardware-offloaded paths. Buyers with storage replication, media transport, backup or east-west cluster traffic should model peak flows and test representative workloads.
Operational control through RouterOS v7
RouterOS v7 gives the CRS518 a broad management environment rather than a minimal web-only switch interface. Network teams can build bridges, configure VLAN filtering, aggregate links, apply access controls, monitor ports and integrate management into established MikroTik practices. WinBox, command-line access, web management and APIs can support different operational workflows.
This flexibility requires disciplined configuration. A data-centre switch should have a dedicated management plan, strong administrator credentials, controlled service exposure, current firmware, configuration backups, documented changes and out-of-band recovery access. The separate management Ethernet port and serial console can assist during deployment or troubleshooting.
Teams moving from simple Layer 2 switching into hardware-offloaded Layer 3 functions should consult the current MikroTik feature tables. Some features, table sizes and combinations are limited by the switch chip or depend on the selected RouterOS version. Design validation is particularly important for large routing tables, complex ACLs, VXLAN-related plans, extensive policy processing or any workflow where CPU forwarding would become a bottleneck.
Suitable business environments
Virtualisation clusters
Connect multiple hypervisors at 10G or 25G while using 100G uplinks for shared east-west and north-south traffic.
Storage and backup
Provide high-bandwidth paths for storage nodes, replication, backup windows and data movement, with workload testing before production.
Hosting and private cloud
Aggregate tenant or service racks where dense fibre connectivity and RouterOS-based segmentation are useful.
Media production
Support editing, rendering and content-transfer systems that need predictable high-speed links and carefully engineered optics.
Research and education
Connect compute, laboratory and data platforms where large datasets move between local systems.
Enterprise aggregation
Consolidate several high-speed distribution or appliance links before forwarding traffic to core infrastructure.
Integration and operational considerations
The CRS518 should be reviewed as part of a wider system. Server network adapters, upstream switches, firewalls and routers must support the chosen speeds and media. Fibre links require the correct wavelength at both ends and the correct single-mode or multimode cable. DAC and active optical cables have defined length and compatibility constraints. Breakout configurations need matching lane support.
Rack planning should account for front-to-back cabling, bend radius, airflow, service access and dual power feeds. Although the unit includes hot-swappable power supplies, resilience is strongest when each supply connects to a separate protected circuit or power distribution path. Cooling modules should remain unobstructed, and the room environment should stay within the supported range.
Monitoring should cover link state, errors, temperature, fan condition, power status, utilisation and configuration changes. Administrators should establish thresholds that reveal degrading optics or congested uplinks before users experience a service issue. Where business continuity is critical, use two switches and design host or upstream redundancy rather than relying on replaceable components alone.
Questions to resolve before requesting a quotation
How many ports are required now and within the next upgrade cycle?
Separate 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G and 100G requirements.
Which links are copper, multimode fibre, single-mode fibre or direct attach?
Distance and connector information are essential for selecting optics.
Will both 100G ports be used as uplinks?
Clarify whether they connect to one core, two redundant peers or breakout endpoints.
Is Layer 3 hardware offload part of the design?
List routing, ACL and overlay features so current support can be checked.
What rack and power environment is available?
Confirm rack depth, cooling, supply feeds, PDU sockets and power protection.
What configuration assistance is expected?
State whether the requirement includes staging, VLANs, migration, testing or documentation.
Procurement checklist
□ Exact CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM model and quantity
□ Number and speed of connected endpoints
□ Required SFP28 optics, DACs or AOCs
□ Required QSFP28 modules or breakout cables
□ Fibre type, connector and distance for every optical link
□ Peer-device make, model and interface capability
□ Rack position, airflow and cable-management plan
□ Dual-power-feed and UPS/PDU arrangement
□ VLAN, LAG, MTU and routing requirements
□ RouterOS version and change-control policy
□ Spare power supply, fan or optic expectations
□ Installation, configuration and documentation scope
□ Delivery destination and preferred project schedule
□ Warranty and support terms to confirm in the quotation
How FourTeck can assist
FourTeck can help turn a product request into a complete, reviewable bill of materials. The process can include checking the exact chassis, quantities, server and uplink port requirements, compatible optics or cables, fibre distances, breakout needs, rack power, redundancy goals and management expectations. This reduces the risk of receiving a switch without the media needed to connect it.
Where services are required, the quotation can separately define staging, firmware preparation, base hardening, management addressing, VLAN configuration, link aggregation, uplink integration, migration assistance, testing and documentation. Scope depends on the existing network, access permissions, change window and desired deliverables.
For wider infrastructure planning, buyers can review FourTeck technology products, discuss network implementation services or submit the requirement through the FourTeck contact team.
UAE availability and support guidance
Contact FourTeck to confirm current UAE availability for the MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM, compatible optics, direct-attach cables, breakout accessories and replacement components. Availability may depend on quantity, vendor lead time, specific module selection and the required project schedule. Delivery planning can begin after the exact bill of materials and destination are confirmed.
Installation and configuration are not assumed to be included with the hardware. Buyers who need rack installation, port configuration, VLAN migration, uplink testing, documentation or handover should ask for those activities to be itemised. Warranty guidance should also be confirmed in the commercial quotation because terms can depend on supply route and current vendor policy.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman project coordination
Businesses across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman can contact FourTeck for requirement review, quotation coordination and deployment-scope planning. The information needed is normally the delivery location, switch quantity, port-speed map, optic distances, upstream equipment, rack environment and requested support activities. Site access, installation windows and on-site requirements should be discussed before a service commitment is included. Product lead time, engineer scheduling and delivery coordination remain dependent on the confirmed scope and commercial approval.
GCC Availability
FourTeck can assist organisations planning CRS518 deployments across GCC markets with requirement review, switch and optic selection, quotation coordination, delivery planning and implementation scoping. A regional request should identify the destination country, exact quantity, intended 25G and 100G connections, fibre or cable distances, required accessories, deployment site and expected timeline. These details allow the product and media list to be checked before commercial processing.
Availability, licensing where applicable, delivery schedules, service visits and vendor lead times can vary between the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. The same optics or service arrangement may not be appropriate for every site, particularly where power standards, access procedures or existing network platforms differ. FourTeck can coordinate the discussion, but local stock, fixed delivery dates, customs outcomes and installation dates should not be assumed until confirmed in writing. For Kuwait requirements, buyers may also review FourTeck Kuwait technology assistance.
Africa Availability
Organisations planning high-speed switching projects in Africa can engage FourTeck for product evaluation, optics planning, accessory selection, configuration scoping and regional procurement guidance. The CRS518 may be relevant to data centres, internet service platforms, universities, media environments and enterprise server rooms, but the final design should match the available upstream network, power conditions, fibre plant and local operational skills.
Fulfilment can depend on destination, quantity, product lead time, shipping arrangements, module region, power requirements, installation scope and local project conditions. Buyers should provide the destination country, exact chassis count, required port speeds, link distances, deployment date and support expectations. FourTeck can then advise on a suitable commercial path without implying immediate inventory or country-wide on-site coverage. Regional information is available through FourTeck Africa, with dedicated resources for Kenya technology projects and Uganda business requirements.
Related products and services to evaluate
MikroTik CRS510-8XS-2XQ-IN
A lower-density option with eight SFP28 and two QSFP28 interfaces for smaller aggregation requirements.
MikroTik CRS504-4XQ series
A compact 100G-focused option when QSFP28 concentration matters more than sixteen native SFP28 ports.
SFP28 and QSFP28 optics
Select modules by speed, wavelength, fibre type, connector, reach, temperature and peer compatibility.
Direct-attach and breakout cables
Useful for short rack links and supported lane breakout, subject to length and interface validation.
Network configuration services
Define VLAN, management, uplink, migration, test and documentation scope as a separate project item.
Rack and fibre planning
Review patching, airflow, power diversity, labelling, bend radius and future port-growth requirements.
Why businesses contact FourTeck
Buyers often need more than a chassis price. FourTeck can help clarify whether the CRS518 is the right density for the project, identify the optics and cables needed for each connection, review interoperability questions, structure the bill of materials and separate optional services from product supply. This is especially useful when a rack contains equipment from several vendors or when 10G, 25G and 100G links must coexist.
FourTeck can also help define installation and configuration responsibilities, delivery coordination, migration expectations and documentation requirements. The objective is to produce a quotation that reflects the actual deployment rather than an incomplete hardware-only request. Learn more about FourTeck or discuss a business technology requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CRS518 mainly a 25G or 100G switch?
It combines both roles: sixteen SFP28 ports serve 1G, 10G or 25G-compatible links, while two QSFP28 ports provide 40G or 100G-class uplinks and supported breakout possibilities.
Are transceivers included?
The switch chassis should not be assumed to include the optics or direct-attach cables required for a project. Every SFP28 and QSFP28 connection should be specified separately.
Can it connect to 10G equipment?
Yes, compatible SFP+ modules or cables may be used in the SFP28 cages, but the exact module, peer interface and port-speed configuration must be checked.
Does it support 100G breakout?
Supported QSFP28 breakout arrangements can divide a port into multiple lower-speed lanes. Confirm the cable, RouterOS configuration and peer-device support before purchasing.
Does the switch include redundant power?
It includes two hot-swappable power supplies. For meaningful power resilience, connect them to separate protected power paths where the site design allows.
Can the CRS518 perform Layer 3 switching?
RouterOS v7 supports selected Layer 3 hardware-offloaded functions on the switch chip. Feature combinations and scale limits must be checked against current MikroTik documentation.
Is it suitable for an office access network?
It is primarily suited to high-speed rack, aggregation and data-centre roles. Offices needing many copper or PoE ports will usually require a different access-switch design.
What information is needed for a Dubai quotation?
Provide quantity, endpoint speeds, fibre distances, optic or cable preference, upstream equipment, delivery location and any configuration or installation scope.
How is warranty handled?
Warranty terms should be confirmed in the FourTeck quotation because the applicable coverage can depend on supply route and current vendor policy.
Can FourTeck assist with configuration?
Configuration assistance can be scoped for management, VLANs, uplinks, migration, testing and documentation. The final service scope depends on the existing environment and access requirements.
Confirm the CRS518 design before ordering
Share your port map, fibre distances, upstream switch details, quantity and service scope. FourTeck can help prepare a practical chassis, optics and implementation quotation for Dubai and UAE projects.
