MikroTik is throwing haymakers now. At STH, the MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN has been one of our favorite switches for many years. Cheap, low power, and useful is a great combination. That switch, however, is a SFP+ switch. Sometimes, you need 10Gbase-T instead for your 10GbE network, and that is where the MikroTik CRS304-4XG-IN comes in at only $199.
MikroTik CRS304-4XG-IN 4-port 10Gbase-T Switch Launched
This switch looks like it has a little bit of funkiness to it. The larger size seems to be providing room for a large heatsink so that this can be a passively cooled switch instead of requiring a fan.
Adding to the funk, is this has four 10Gbase-T ports, but also four ways to power the switch. There are two DC jacks that support 12-57V as well as a DC terminal that supports the same voltage ranges. MikroTik is also making the switch to be powered over PoE so if you get the MikroTik CRS320-8P-8B-4S+RM we reviewed you should be able to power this switch since its maximum power consumption is rated at only 21W.
Inside, this switch is different than we initially thought. We first thought MikroTik may have stuck some PHYs on the CRS305 along with heatsinks for them.
Instead, the new CRS304 switch is based on the Marvell 98DX2528. The CRS305 was based on the 98DX3236. That means we are also going from a 32-bit single core to a 64-bit dual core Arm processor.
Final Words
This could be a winner. At $199 with the MikroTik feature set, it could be fun. Of course, we love larger switches, but not everyone needs a big switch. The MikroTik CRS304-4XG-IN seems to fill the need for those who just have a few 10Gbase-T devices and need to set up a quick network.
The big question, is when can we order one (or more) of them?
I’ll buy onr just to see if it’s capable to handle 1gps pppoe, as router :)
I really dispair. We’re getting FTTP deployed most countries that I’ve visited in Europe, yet we have no reasonably priced 10G-BaseT kit to cater for it in the home. An 8 port switch should not still be costing 200+ on Aliexpress. Where are our €£$30/40 8 port unmanaged switches like that which we had for gigabit? It has been more than a decade that 10Gb has been out in business and even that equipment second hand is really expensive still and most of it is SFP+ which then becomes prohibitive because of the adapter costs compared to picking up some Cat7/8 cabling.
I bought one and have it for a couple of days.
Runs cool-ish ~53c, pulls ~8w from the DC jack.
In Europe availability does not seems to be a problem.
You say 12-57v, but the block diagram picture shows 24-57v. Which is correct?