MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ 16×25G SFP28 100G Switch

The MikroTik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is MikroTik's highest-density 100G rack switch — 16× SFP28 (25G) + 2× QSFP28 (100G), 1.2 Tbps switching capacity, dual redundant hot-swap PSUs and fans, and the Marvell 98DX8525 Prestera Aldrin2 ASIC in a 1U rack enclosure at USD 1,595.00. It is the correct switch when the CRS504's 4× QSFP28 port count is insufficient and a distribution-layer switch serving multiple access-layer devices at 25G is the requirement.

**Marvell 98DX8525 Prestera Aldrin2 — the same ASIC as the CCR2216**

The 98DX8525 is the identical switch ASIC documented for the CCR2216 in this product batch — Marvell's Prestera Aldrin2, purpose-built for enterprise and data centre switching at 25G/100G port densities. Hardware-offloaded Layer 2 switching across all 18 ports simultaneously at line rate: VLAN (802.1Q and 802.1ad QinQ), MAC address table forwarding, STP/RSTP, LACP 802.3ad, MLAG (Multi-chassis LAG), IGMP/MLD snooping, ACL, QoS, and jumbo frame support — all processed in the ASIC without involving the QCA9531 management CPU in the data path. L3 hardware-offloaded routing: inter-VLAN routing flows established in hardware at line rate — the same Aldrin2 L3 offload capability MikroTik highlights for the CCR2216.

**16× SFP28 — 25G with full backward compatibility**

All 16 SFP28 ports operate at 25G natively and are backward compatible with 10G SFP+ transceivers and 1G SFP transceivers — mix and match across generations within the same switch. For a data centre or enterprise campus migrating from 10G to 25G access layer infrastructure, the CRS518 accepts existing 10G SFP+ transceivers in any port during the transition, replaced with 25G SFP28 transceivers as 25G-capable endpoints are deployed. The full 16-port 25G capacity provides 400 Gbps aggregate access-layer bandwidth feeding the two 100G QSFP28 uplinks.

**2× QSFP28 100G uplinks — to CCR2216 or CRS504**

The two QSFP28 ports connect the CRS518 to upstream 100G routing or switching — a CCR2216 pair for core routing, a CRS504-4XQ-OUT for outdoor aggregation, or a second CRS518 for inter-distribution redundancy. Compatible transceivers from this session: XQ+31LC10D (10km SMF, Dual LC) and XQ+85MP01D (100m multimode, MTP/MPO-12). LACP bonding of both QSFP28 ports provides 200G aggregate uplink bandwidth.

**Dual redundant hot-swap PSUs and fans — enterprise availability**

Two hot-swap AC PSUs (100–240V, 47–63 Hz) in two PSU slots — PSU failure causes zero downtime, the failed unit is replaced while the switch continues operating on the remaining PSU. Four hot-swap fans provide active cooling for the 95W max thermal load — fan failure is similarly non-disruptive. MikroTik's framing is direct: "dual-redundant hot-swappable power supplies and fans — you won't have to worry about unnecessary downtime." For an enterprise distribution switch in a production data centre or ISP PoP where scheduled maintenance windows are rare, hot-swap redundancy is the operational requirement that separates the CRS518 from the passively cooled CRS504 and CRS510.

**RouterOS v7 License 6 — the full enterprise feature set**

License 6 provides unlimited routing protocol instances — unlimited BGP peers, OSPF areas, and VRF instances — alongside the complete RouterOS v7 feature set: WireGuard, IPsec, firewall, SNMP, scripting, and container support. For a distribution switch in an ISP or enterprise network running BGP with multiple upstream peers or inter-VLAN routing across many VRFs, License 6 removes all protocol instance constraints.

**5-year software support guarantee:** RouterOS v7 updates free for life of product or minimum 5 years from date of purchase.

**Canadian market note:** CE, EAC, RoHS only — no FCC, no IC (ISED) published. Wired switch, no wireless transmitter — no ISED wireless advisory applies. Confirm CSA/cUL electrical safety requirements with distributor before listing.

Key specifications:

- **Product code:** CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM

- **Switch ASIC:** Marvell 98DX8525 Prestera Aldrin2

- **Management CPU:** QCA9531, single-core MIPSBE, 650 MHz

- **RAM / Storage:** 64 MB / 16 MB FLASH

- **OS:** RouterOS v7, License 6

- **SFP28 ports (25G):** 16× (backward compatible 10G/1G)

- **QSFP28 ports (100G):** 2×

- **10/100 Ethernet (management):** 1×

- **Serial console:** RJ45

- **USB:** 1× USB-A, 1A, USB Power Reset

- **PSUs:** 2× hot-swap, AC 100–240V, 47–63 Hz

- **PSU slots:** 2×

- **Fans:** 4× hot-swap

- **Max power:** 95W (45W without attachments)

- **Switching capacity:** 1.2 Tbps

- **Cooling:** 4× active fans (hot-swap)

- **IP rating:** IP20

- **Operating temp:** -40°C to +70°C

- **MTBF:** ~200,000 hours at 25°C

- **Certifications:** CE, EAC, RoHS — no FCC, no IC

- **Included:** Rack ears, 2× IEC cord, K-54 kit

- **Suggested price:** USD 1,595.00