Are you looking to upgrade your network setup or build a powerful home lab? Mikrotik offers a range of robust and flexible networking solutions suitable for various needs and budgets. What sets Mikrotik apart is their incredible flexibility and power-to-price ratio. These devices can be used as building blocks to create an ideal network for almost any use case, from simple home setups to complex enterprise environments.
In this guide, we'll explore four tiers of Mikrotik devices, helping you choose the perfect option for your small business or home lab. We'll also discuss pricing to give you a clear idea of the investment required for each tier.
The Power and Flexibility of Mikrotik
Before diving into the specific tiers, it's important to understand what makes Mikrotik devices so powerful and flexible:
RouterOS: All Mikrotik devices run RouterOS, a fully-featured routing operating system. This gives you enterprise-level features even on entry-level devices.
Customizability: With Mikrotik, you can enable only the features you need, allowing you to create lean, efficient network setups.
Scalability: Start small and expand as needed. Mikrotik devices can be easily integrated into larger networks as your needs grow.
Learning Opportunity: For networking enthusiasts, Mikrotik devices offer an excellent platform to learn about advanced networking concepts.
Cost-Effective: Mikrotik offers enterprise-grade features at a fraction of the cost of many competitors.
Now, let's explore the different tiers of Mikrotik devices.
Tier 1: Basic - Ideal for Home and Small Office
Price Range: $60 - $150
For those just starting out or needing a reliable solution for a small home or office, the hEX or hAP ax³ are excellent choices.
hEX (RB750Gr3)
5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
Dual-core 880MHz CPU
256MB RAM
Perfect for basic routing and firewall needs
hAP ax³
5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Quad-core CPU
Ideal for those needing wireless capabilities
These devices offer a great balance of performance and affordability, suitable for most home users and small offices. The hAP ax³ is particularly noteworthy as it includes built-in Wi-Fi, making it a complete solution for small spaces.
Tier 2: Advanced - Small Business and Enthusiast
Device: RB3011UiAS-RM
Price Range: $150 - $200
Stepping up to the RB3011UiAS-RM offers more power and flexibility for growing businesses or networking enthusiasts.
Key Features:
10 Gigabit Ethernet ports
Dual-core 1.4GHz CPU
1GB RAM
SFP port for fiber connectivity
Rackmount form factor
This device is perfect for small businesses requiring more robust routing capabilities or home lab enthusiasts looking to experiment with more advanced networking concepts. Its multiple ports allow for complex network segmentation and the SFP port opens up possibilities for fiber connectivity.
Tier 3: Pro - Medium Business and Advanced Home Lab
Devices: RB4011iGS+RM or RB5009UG+S+IN
Price Range: $200 - $300
For those needing even more power and features, the RB4011 or RB5009 series are excellent choices.
RB4011iGS+RM
10 Gigabit Ethernet ports
Quad-core ARM 32bit CPU
1GB RAM
SFP+ port for 10Gbps connectivity
RB5009UG+S+IN
8 Gigabit Ethernet ports
Quad-core ARM 64bit CPU
1GB RAM
2.5Gbps Ethernet port
SFP+ port for 10Gbps connectivity
These devices offer enterprise-grade features at a fraction of the cost, making them ideal for medium-sized businesses or advanced home labs requiring high performance and flexibility. The SFP+ ports allow for high-speed connectivity between switches or to a high-speed modem.
Pro tip: If you want the latest features like ZeroTier VPN or docker containers go with the newer RB5009 for the 64 bit ARM CPU
Tier 4: Ultimate - Large Business and Professional Lab
Device: CCR2004-16g-2S+
Price Range: $500 +
For those seeking the absolute pinnacle of Mikrotik performance, the CCR (Cloud Core Router) series, specifically the CCR2004-1G-12S+2XS, offers unparalleled power and capabilities.
Key Features:
16 Gigabit Ethernet port
2 SFP+ ports for 10Gbps connectivity
Quad-core 1.7GHz CPU
4GB RAM
Hardware-accelerated packet processing
This device is designed for large businesses, ISPs, or professional networking labs that require extreme performance and the ability to handle complex networking scenarios. Its numerous high-speed ports allow for building very fast and complex networks.
Important Note on Wireless Capabilities
It's crucial to note that, with the exception of the hAP ax³ in tier 1, the Mikrotik devices mentioned here do not include built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. For wireless networking, you'll need to add separate access points. This can be seen as an advantage, as it allows you to:
Choose the best wireless solution for your specific needs
Place access points in optimal locations for coverage
Upgrade your wireless capabilities independently of your router
You can opt for Mikrotik's own wireless access points or choose from other vendors like Ubiquiti, depending on your specific requirements and preferences.
Building Your Ideal Network with Mikrotik
One of the greatest strengths of Mikrotik devices is their ability to serve as building blocks for custom network solutions. Here are a few examples:
Small Office Setup: Use an RB3011 as the main router, connected to a few hAP ax³ units for Wi-Fi coverage.
Home Lab: Employ an RB4011 as the core router, with various Mikrotik switches and access points to create multiple network segments for experimentation.
Multi-Site Business: Utilize CCR series routers at the main office and RB5009 units at branch locations, all interconnected via VPN.
ISP Network: Build a scalable network using CCR routers for core routing and aggregation, with various Mikrotik models serving different roles in the network hierarchy.
Conclusion
Whether you're setting up a basic home network, building an advanced home lab, or managing a business network, Mikrotik offers a device to suit your needs. From the affordable and capable hEX to the powerhouse CCR series, there's a Mikrotik router for every tier of networking requirements.
The true power of Mikrotik lies in its flexibility. These devices allow you to start small and grow your network as your needs evolve, all while maintaining a consistent management interface and feature set across devices.
Remember, when choosing a Mikrotik device, consider not just your current needs but also potential future growth. It's often worth investing in a slightly more powerful device to accommodate expanding requirements.
Need help deciding which Mikrotik device is right for you or assistance in designing your perfect network? At SeraphimGate Systems, we specialize in network design and implementation using Mikrotik and other leading networking technologies. Contact us for a personalized recommendation and expert setup assistance.
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