Which Mikrotik router for fibre?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Which Mikrotik router for fibre?

EB255GTX

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#317400 12-Oct-2024 11:45

I am looking at the Mikrotik RB750GR3 or C52iG-5HaxD2HaxD-TC routers..... which one do I want (or neither?)

I need it to work for our Voyager Fibre - so VLAN tagging, PPPoE, and we are on 900Mb/s fibre. Have around 50 devices on the LAN usually, and the motivation for changing the router is the HG659 seems to choke with more than 30 ish devices.

I need it to be the LAN DHCP server. We have wireless provided by different devices so that's not needed but not a problem if present, unless that's the extra unnneeded feature I'm paying for....

It seems the C52iG-5HaxD2HaxD-TC is newer and more powerful, so ignoring the WiFi part, is it a better router than the other or is the WiFi the main difference?

The RB750GR3 seems popular and works, but it seems older, and not ARM CPU based. Maybe that's not a big deal, this is not a demanding roel, but at the same time for a small amount more I'd prefer to get something newer.

RunningMan

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#3296397 12-Oct-2024 11:53

Out of those 2, hAP ax2 hands down. Much newer, more RAM, more storage, faster. Can run containers on it if you are so inclined.

RB750GR3 would be OK for gigabit but only just. You'd be running near the limits of it's performance under some circumstances which doesn't leave much room for future growth.

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EB255GTX

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#3296398 12-Oct-2024 11:55

Thanks.... that seems to match my research. The price diff is like $70, but all the same i don't want to pay that if it's only the wifi as the prime difference.

RunningMan

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#3296406 12-Oct-2024 12:05

Yes the ax2 has wifi, but even ignoring that it's a more powerful device. Compare the routing throughput, particularly as you get into smaller packet sizes, and if you understand a bit about hardware then also check out the block diagram for each which shows the path(s) to the CPU and internal constraints of the device.

https://mikrotik.com/product/RB750Gr3#fndtn-testresults

https://mikrotik.com/product/hap_ax2#fndtn-testresults

In my view, the RB750Gr3 would suit your current needs, but you'd be using it near the upper limit of perfomance. If you can stretch a little further, the ax2 is a more modern design/product with higher performance that allows room for growth.

Dynamic

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#3296407 12-Oct-2024 12:10

Just in case it’s of interest, we have a couple of new-old-stock 2011, 3011, and 4011 units that we should sell as we are no longer deploying these commercially. Let me know if interested.

Edit - none have Wi-Fi built in.

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mrgsm021

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#3296408 12-Oct-2024 12:13

I am using the RB750GR3 on OneNZ gig fibre and has been rock solid.

Only chose this particular model due to the space limitation in my comms cabinet. WiFi is handled by a pair of Asus XT8s running as APs behind the RB750GR3.

RunningMan

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#3296410 12-Oct-2024 12:20

Dynamic: Just in case it’s of interest, we have a couple of new-old-stock 2011, 3011, and 4011 units that we should sell as we are no longer deploying these commercially. Let me know if interested.

Edit - none have Wi-Fi built in.

Of these, the Rb4011 would be the one to go for.

The RB2011 is beyond it's limits on a 900/500 connection. It cannot saturate up and down stream simultaneously.

RB3011 would be very similar performance wise to the RB750Gr3, assuming that WAN and LAN ports were on different switch chips (having both on the same switch would reduce performance to RB2011 levels), and is also rack mount form factor so larger.

michaelmurfy

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#3296411 12-Oct-2024 12:21

Does it have to be a Mikrotik? The Grandstream routers are very good value for money and have advanced features. Can do Gigabit fine.

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EB255GTX

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#3296415 12-Oct-2024 12:33

RunningMan:

In my view, the RB750Gr3 would suit your current needs, but you'd be using it near the upper limit of perfomance. If you can stretch a little further, the ax2 is a more modern design/product with higher performance that allows room for growth.

That is the sort of simple justification I (well, the wifely financial controller) needed, thanks!

EB255GTX

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#3296416 12-Oct-2024 12:35

mrgsm021:

I am using the RB750GR3 on OneNZ gig fibre and has been rock solid.

Only chose this particular model due to the space limitation in my comms cabinet.

Hadn't really thought of physical constraints so thanks, even though it doesn't apply to my situation.

EB255GTX

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#3296417 12-Oct-2024 12:41

michaelmurfy:

Does it have to be a Mikrotik? The Grandstream routers are very good value for money and have advanced features. Can do Gigabit fine.

It does not at all, that's just where I landed from perusing GZ mostly - seems like good, supported, capable hardware and there's plenty of config guides specific to NZ UFB.

Does any particular Grandstream model tickle you?

Come to that, my other option is just the newer DG8245V from Voyager all pre set up, but I can't find good info on whether that's much better than the HG659 we have. I think we are hitting a 32? device DHCP or DNS or something limit on the HG659, or perhapd 50 or so devices peaking to 60 is just too much load on it.

cyril7

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#3296421 12-Oct-2024 12:44

Hi, just a note, Voyager support DHCP on vlan10 now, just need to ask them to flick the switch at there end.

Cyril

EB255GTX

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#3296422 12-Oct-2024 12:47

cyril7:

Hi, just a note, Voyager support DHCP on vlan10 now, just need to ask them to flick the switch at there end.

Cyril

I understand all those words, but not so much the combination :-). Let's see if I can google-fu this - does that mean IPoE instead of PPPoE, which is a GOOD THING(TM) because more speed? Looks like the Mikrotik will support this... looks like a bit more setup but not insurmountable: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=206084

EDIT - learning new things.... https://info.support.huawei.com/info-finder/encyclopedia/en/IPoE.html. Looks like lower overhead generally "better" protocol to use if supported.

michaelmurfy

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#3297006 13-Oct-2024 18:42

So,

For WiFi: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/grandstreamnetworks/gwn7062.html

If you don't need WiFI: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/grandstreamnetworks/gwn7001.html

Crazy good value for money and I have used both before. Can do Gigabit fine, has advanced features, simple to setup. You can also expand on these with access points (WiFi) as well as Grandstream Switches.

EB255GTX

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#3297021 13-Oct-2024 19:52

Well those do seem comparable on spec and about half the price, will have a good look thanks!

RunningMan

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#3297032 13-Oct-2024 20:22

GWN7001 for sale here if you're looking 2nd hand https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/networking-modems/routers-firewalls/listing/4965972031