Re: [44net] OT: Recommendations for a small to medium size router for a multi-purpose repeater site - 44net

12 May 2018

...
  One thing I'm unclear on with Mikrotik is their
different generations of 
 hardware.  I DO want to make sure I get the newer generation so, in 
 theory, I get the longer supported OS support. Does anyone know if the 
 CCR1009-7G-1C-1Splus is a new generation of hardware or is it older?  
 Regarding buying a box that can run "The Dude" on an internal SSD, do 
 Wifi, or other stuff on the side.  That was something I was planning on 
 running on a separate machine with say TICK, Zabbix, etc.  Not sure but 
 I seriously worry if something goes south in that system, can it harm 
 the router.  That's NOT acceptable in my book. 
The CCR1009-7G-1C-1Splus is the latest model in the CCR series, but the RB1100AHx4
is a newer router that could well be the root of more new models in the future.
Of course one never knows such things for sure, but the Tilera TILE processors in
the CCR series appear to have less current development than the processor used in the
1100.
I would expect MikroTik to support the CCR in software updates at least for some years.
Remember that all MikroTik routers include software support for the support lifetime
of the device, no need for a separate support contract for that.

The selection also depends on the network architecture.  The RB1100AHx4 has two hardware
switch
chips each driving 5 ports so you can have hardware switching between those ports, while
the CCR series ports are all independent router ports, they are expected to be connected
to an external switch when you want hardware switching.  So the CCR is a true router
while the RB1100AHx4 is a router-switch combination.  And the CCR has an SFP and SFP+
slot for fiber etc.

The CCR does not have internal M.2 SSD like the RB1100AHx4 Dude edition, but it has
a slot for an SDHC card and a USB port that both can be used for external storage.

Rob