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