The Mikrotik CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is a high-performance 1U rackmount data center switch engineered for enterprise core and spine deployments. It features 16x 10/25GbE SFP28 ports and 2x 40/100GbE QSFP28 uplink ports, delivering non-blocking 1.44Tbps full-duplex switching capacity. The switch supports wire-speed forwarding across all ports simultaneously, enabling low-latency east-west traffic in virtualized and containerized environments. Built on Mikrotik's RouterOS operating system, it provides advanced routing, MPLS, BGP, and traffic management capabilities. The CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is optimized for high-density deployments in cloud infrastructure, service provider networks, and large-scale data centers requiring scalable, cost-effective switching with integrated routing intelligence.
1.44Tbps full-duplex switching capacity.
16x 10/25GbE SFP28 + 2x 40/100GbE QSFP28.
RouterOS with BGP, MPLS, and advanced routing.
Non-blocking wire-speed forwarding architecture.
1U rackmount form factor for dense deployments.
Integrated traffic management and QoS controls.
Expedited and overnight shipping options are available at checkout, priced by destination and service.
Purchase orders accepted from qualified institutions.
Refunds within 14 days and replacements within 30 days of delivery with an RMA (25% restocking fee on customer-initiated returns), and every part carries our Standard 30-Day Warranty - see our return policy or contact US IT Hardware.
Featuring
Manufacturer part #
CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM
Brand
Mikrotik
Condition
New
ACL
Layer 2-4 access control lists, MAC/IP/port-based filtering
SSH, SNMP v3, TLS/SSL, user authentication, role-based access control
Multicast
IGMP snooping, PIM, MSDP support
Product Line
CloudRouter Switch (CRS5xx Series)
Compatible systems
The CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is compatible with standard data center infrastructure including 19-inch racks, AC power distribution, and industry-standard optical transceivers (SFP28 and QSFP28). RouterOS 7.x and later provide full feature support. The switch integrates with standard network management tools via SNMP, Syslog, and SSH. MLAG support enables clustering for larger deployments.
Mikrotik CloudRouter Switch
Model: CRS5xx Series
Form factor: 1U Rackmount
Generation: CRS518 (5th generation)
Part of Mikrotik's high-performance data center switching lineup. Compatible with standard 19-inch racks. Stackable via MLAG (Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation) for larger deployments.
Best for
Data Center Spine
Core switching fabric for multi-rack data center deployments requiring high-density 25GbE connectivity and non-blocking throughput for east-west traffic.
Cloud Networking
Virtualized and containerized infrastructure requiring advanced routing, MPLS, and BGP support with wire-speed forwarding across all ports.
Service Provider Networks
Carrier-grade switching with integrated routing, MPLS, and traffic engineering for backbone and aggregation layer deployments.
High-Performance Computing
HPC cluster interconnect fabric supporting low-latency, high-bandwidth communication between compute nodes and storage systems.
Details
Shipping, warranty & returns
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Buy with confidence
New, certified-refreshed and OEM stock with guaranteed compatibility, backed by warranty on every part.
Large-scale campus backbone switching with advanced routing, multicast, and QoS capabilities for multi-building deployments.
Content Delivery Networks
CDN edge and core switching infrastructure supporting massive parallel data flows and traffic load balancing across multiple uplinks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total switching capacity of the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM?
The CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM delivers 1.44Tbps full-duplex non-blocking switching capacity. This is achieved through 16x 10/25GbE SFP28 ports (400Gbps aggregate) and 2x 40/100GbE QSFP28 uplink ports (240Gbps aggregate), enabling wire-speed forwarding across all ports simultaneously without oversubscription.
What operating system does the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM run?
The CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM runs Mikrotik RouterOS, a powerful Linux-based operating system that provides advanced routing protocols (BGP, OSPF, RIP), MPLS support, traffic engineering, firewall rules, QoS, and traffic management. RouterOS enables the switch to function as both a Layer 2 switch and a Layer 3 router.
Is the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM suitable for data center spine deployments?
Yes, the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM is specifically designed for data center spine and core roles. Its 1.44Tbps capacity, 16x 25GbE ports, and 2x 100GbE uplinks support high-density leaf-spine architectures. The non-blocking architecture ensures low-latency east-west traffic, and RouterOS provides advanced routing and MPLS for traffic engineering.
What types of optical modules are compatible with the SFP28 and QSFP28 ports?
The SFP28 ports support 10GBASE-SR, 10GBASE-LR, 25GBASE-SR, and 25GBASE-LR modules. The QSFP28 ports support 40GBASE-SR4, 40GBASE-LR4, 100GBASE-SR4, and 100GBASE-LR4 modules. Mikrotik maintains a compatibility list of tested third-party and OEM optical transceivers.
What is the power consumption and cooling requirement for the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM?
The CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM consumes approximately 300-400W under typical load (varies with port utilization and optical module types). It features dual hot-swappable power supplies and front-to-back airflow cooling. The 1U form factor fits standard 19-inch racks with standard cooling infrastructure.
Does the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM support VLAN, spanning tree, and link aggregation?
Yes, the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM supports 802.1Q VLANs, 802.1D spanning tree protocol (STP), 802.3ad link aggregation (LAG), and 802.1X port-based network access control. RouterOS also provides advanced features like VLAN filtering, bridge filtering, and dynamic VLAN assignment.
What management interfaces are available on the CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM?
Management options include a serial console port (RJ45), Ethernet management port (1GbE), and web-based GUI via Winbox or SSH CLI. The switch supports SNMP v2/v3 for monitoring, Syslog for event logging, and API access for automation and integration with network management systems.
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