Switch: Mikrotik vs Aruba Instant On ?

[Survivor7171]

My homelab has evolved over time and it's time to congest three 8 port smart switches into a 24 port one.

Generally I just need a smart switch e.g. VLANS, QoS, Trunking (LACP), SNMP and 1-2 10G uplinks


I've been looking and for my budget there are basically just two to choose from:
Mikrotik (CRS326-24G-2S+RM)
Aruba Instant On (JL682A)

I've never worked with any switches from that companies before, so I don't know anything about ui/ux, support over time etc.


It seems like the Mikrotik one is better in any aspect.


Aruba Instant On (JL682A)
+ has 4x 10G uplinks, but I only need 2
- tranceivers vendor locked
- no console port
- more expensive
- no l3 features
+ prosumer/enterprise?

Mikrotik (CRS326-24G-2S+RM)
+ l3 features
+ console port
+ open tranceivers
+ costs less
- only 2 uplinks
- prosumer


I know that Aruba is generally a enterprise company and compares to cisco but the switch given is just a smart switch so I don't think you can compare it.

What is you experience ? Appreciate any input for decision.

 

[j_h_o]

Brocade 6450s are popular on this forum. https://forums.servethehome.com/ind...s-cheap-powerful-10gbe-40gbe-switching.21107/

Would an icx6450-48 or icx6450-24 (both non-PoE) be in your budget? Where are you located?

 

[Survivor7171]

I'm located in Germany, Budget about 200$~

The Brocade ICX7150-C12P looks great, but seems to go for 380$ on Ebay here.

Noise and power usage is also a big concern since I'm paying 0.50$/kwh... so I was mainly looking for new passive gear.

 

[nasbdh9]

CRS326 will be the best choice, the average power consumption is between 18~30w, depending on your load and the conversion efficiency of DC power supply

 

[andrea87]

I would stick with Mikrotik, either the CRS326 you mentioned or the "simpler" CSS326 which doesn't run RouterOS but the simpler SwitchOS.

I don't know what prices you do get in Germany, but here in Italy the CSS326 is currently at €130 while the CRS326 around €175.

I do own a CSS326, and the actual power draw off the 24V power brick is about 12-13W with 12 ports active.

 

[RTM]

AFAIK, the CSS326 can't do L3 switching (routing), so I would strongly suggest getting a CRS326 instead of a CSS326.

BTW, I am no expert in Aruba gear, but I am pretty sure the Instant On series is not "enterprise", but more SOHO/Small businesses.

 

[Survivor7171]

Thanks guys I will go with the CRS326