Get ready. The MikroTik CSS318-16G-2S+IN is coming as a half-width switch. That means you can mount two to a rack. With the new switch we are introduced to a few new MikroTik quirks as well.
MikroTik CSS318-16G-2S+IN is Coming
The naming convention of the MikroTik CSS318-16G-2S+IN tells us almost everything we need to know about it. There are sixteen 1GbE ports, and two SFP+ 10GbE ports for a total of eighteen ports. Starting with “CSS” this is using SwOS instead of RouterOS, a topic folks love to debate.
Size wise, even with an “-IN” and coming with rubber feet, it is specifically made to be a 1U switch that can fit either into a 9″ or 10″ rack or side-by-side in a standard 19″ rack. In our review, you will see how MikroTik is accomplishing this, although we only have one to demonstrate with.
Longtime MikroTik fans are going to immediately see some differences with this switch, versus some other MikroTik models. We are going to get into all of those differences once this passes the test suite.
Final Words
Of course, we will have a full review of the MikroTik CSS318-16G-2S+IN coming. The list price is currently $139 which is going to be something we will discuss in the review. It is also a 1GbE switch, not a 2.5GbE switch. In 2025, that will also be an interesting one. Still, for a lot of folks who are just looking for a small switch, this is an option.
Stay tuned for a full review coming soon. In the meantime, if you have specific questions, feel free to leave those down below in the comments and we will try to address them in the review. We might not get to all of them, but we will see what we can do.
This form factor, as a CRS model, with 8x GbE POE+, 8x 2.5GbE and 2x 10GbE is my dream homelab switch. Not quite there yet.
If only it was a CSS318-16P-2S+IN
I’d be all over this (POE).
Got plenty of 10″ cabinets for ip-cams and IOT that could do with a refresh.
MikroTik missed the memo that it’s 2025 so you’ve got 1GbE for access and need PoE+. If it isn’t PoE, it’s gotta be 2.5GbE. Better still, it needs to be 2.5GbE PoE+
I don’t think I have any devices any more that are under 10Gb, except for those that require PoE. Plenty of phones, cameras, sensors and even older WiFi APs would be fine with the 1Gb ports on this switch, except they all require PoE. Only my servers and desktop machines can do without PoE, but they’re all 10Gb with plans to move to at least 25Gb once the price is right for hobby use.
Given that there are a lot of very cheap options on the market for 1Gb switches (even with 10Gb SFP uplinks), it would be interesting to know what the intended use cases are for this product, where a cheaper unmanaged or lightly-managed switch wouldn’t be just as good for less money.
Also, having not looked at server racks for a long time, I didn’t realise 9 or 10″ racks were a thing. Is this a standard as good as the 19″ one, where every manufacturer makes compatible equipment? Or do you have to be careful about compatibility between manufacturers? I’d be interested in learning more about these.
As I have a 10inch rack, I’m very interested. Sadly there is no POE though :(
Where is the 16x 2.5Gbe? This is 2025 and would be a great half-width switch.
I’d guess this is to (eventually) replace the CSS326-24G-2S+RM at a better price point for Mikrotik? I’d presume this update/model uses better margin components or the like – since as much as newer 1Gb/s switches feel pretty unnecessary in 2025, I’m sure they are still selling a good number of 1Gb/s models because its the lowest common denominator for high port count envs and likely will be for years to come. The margins keep getting tighter after all on these products after all, so a refresh perhaps makes sense for them.