Switching Gears CRS354-48P-4S+2Q+RM vs CRS504-4XQ-IN : A Technical Dive into Two Cloud Router Champions

Switching Gears CRS354-48P-4S+2Q+RM vs CRS504-4XQ-IN : A Technical Dive into Two Cloud Router Champions​

When it comes to powering a modern network, the choice of the core switch is a critical decision that balances raw performance with practical features. Today, we're putting two compelling contenders from MikroTik's Cloud Router Switch line in the spotlight: the CRS354-48P-4S+2Q+RM and the CRS504-4XQ-IN. One is a high-port-count powerhouse with robust Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities, while the other is a sleek, ultra-fast beast designed for the heart of a high-speed network. Let's get into the nitty-gritty and see how they stack up beyond the basic spec sheet.

At first glance, these two devices serve somewhat different master plans. The CRS354 is a layer 3 switch that boasts 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports, with 36 of them supporting PoE+ (a feature that delivers both data and significant power to devices like access points and cameras), complemented by a mix of SFP+ and QSFP+ ports for higher-speed uplinks. It's designed to be a versatile workhorse for an office or medium-sized business. In contrast, the CRS504 is a more specialized animal, built around four QSFP+ ports that each can handle 100Gbps, or be broken down into higher-density 25Gbps or 40Gbps connections. This one is all about moving massive amounts of data at ludicrous speeds, perfect for a data center spine or a high-performance computing core.

​The Core of the Matter: A Parameter Showdown​

To really understand their capabilities, we need to look at the key numbers. The following table breaks down their core technical parameters for a quick comparison.

Looking at this, the distinction is clear. The CRS354 is your go-to for connecting a multitude of devices directly, especially if they need power. The CRS504 has no "slow" ports; it's built for interconnecting other switches and servers at blistering speeds. Interestingly, they share a similar switch chip architecture, which speaks to a consistent design philosophy, but how that power is harnessed differs vastly.

Physically, both units are designed for a standard 19-inch rack, but their front panels tell completely different stories. The CRS354 presents a dense facade, packed with RJ45 jacks and a handful of SFP+ cages, looking every bit the connected hub of a busy network. The CRS504, on the other hand, has an almost minimalist appearance with just four large QSFP+ ports, projecting an aura of focused, uncompromising performance. It's the difference between a bustling city intersection and a high-speed autobahn.

When we talk about functionality, the playing field levels out thanks to MikroTik's RouterOS. Both switches run the full version of this incredibly powerful operating system, giving you access to a vast array of features from basic switching and VLANs to complex routing protocols, firewall filters, traffic shaping, and VPN terminations. This is a significant advantage, offering enterprise-grade control without the enterprise-grade price tag. However, the experience of using these features is where they diverge. The CRS354, with its higher port count and PoE management, might see you spending more time on port configuration and power budgeting. The CRS504's complexity lies in configuring high-speed link aggregation and routing policies for massive data flows. Its built-in USB-C port is a nice modern touch for easier console access.

For the user, the choice hinges entirely on the application. The CRS354 offers an incredible "all-in-one" solution for a wiring closet. The ability to connect and power dozens of devices while handling 10G uplinks is a powerful proposition. The major trade-off is that activating complex features like routing at line rate can impact performance due to the central CPU handling some of the workload, a point well-documented in the community. The CRS504 is a purebred. It's designed to do one thing exceptionally well: switch and route packets at 100G speeds with minimal latency. Its value is in its sheer throughput and stability under heavy load, making it a cornerstone for a scalable, high-performance network. The downside is its lack of any lower-speed copper ports, meaning you'll need other switches to connect most end-user devices.

In terms of stability, both platforms are generally considered robust once properly configured. MikroTik's RouterOS is known for its rock-solid performance when set up correctly. The CRS504, with its more focused design and potentially better passive cooling for the high-speed components, might have an edge in the most demanding, always-at-100%-utilization scenarios simply because it's built for that purpose from the ground up.

So, which one wins? It's not about one being objectively better; it's about which tool is right for the job. The CRS354-48P-4S+2Q+RM is the undisputed champion of connectivity and convenience, a versatile Swiss Army knife that can power and connect an entire office. The CRS504-4XQ-IN is the specialist, a speed demon that ensures the backbone of your network never, ever becomes the bottleneck. Your network's needs will point you directly to the right choice.