Mikrotik RB1100AHx4 (13-Port Gigabit Router): The Consensus

ORA Consensus Report: Mikrotik RB1100AHx4

The Mikrotik RouterBoard RB1100AHx4 is a wired router featuring 13 Gigabit Ethernet ports, designed for demanding network environments. Owners frequently highlight its substantial routing capabilities and comprehensive feature set, making it a strong contender for businesses and advanced users. The device runs on RouterOS and includes a 1.4 GHz quad-core CPU, 1 GB of RAM, and supports a maximum throughput of up to 7.5 gigabits per second, according to manufacturer specifications.

The Good

This router earns high praise for its throughput and performance. Several owners, particularly those upgrading from less powerful devices, reported a significant improvement in routing speeds, especially when handling traffic between different subnets. One business owner noted a jump from 250mbps to verified 1G routing between subnets, effectively managing VPN termination and NAT services. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and business users commend its ability to process large amounts of data, with one user successfully administering 86 clients and another stating it can effortlessly support over a thousand simultaneous users. Its performance as a border gateway for 1Gbps fiber circuits is also highly regarded.

The RB1100AHx4 also stands out for its extensive features and capabilities. Users appreciate the impressive range of settings and configuration options, noting the ability to save settings to a file or setup script, offering a high degree of 'soft' control. The hardware design receives consistent acclaim, featuring built-in dual/failover power supplies and redundant cooling fans, enhancing its reliability and operational stability. One specific model catering to -48vDC telecom power needs was particularly welcomed by users in that sector. This robust design, coupled with its powerful capabilities, leads many to view it as an excellent value for money, often described as offering unbelievable power for its cost.

The Bad

While generally well-received, the router has some areas that draw criticism, particularly concerning reliability and endurance. A few owners reported receiving units that were dead on arrival (DOA). More concerning, one user experienced a unit failure approximately a month into use, shortly after the return window closed, attributing the issue to a potential relay failure. This suggests that while many units perform admirably, there might be an inconsistent batch or a specific component that could lead to premature failure in some cases.

Connectivity and port options also received some minor critiques. One owner noted the absence of soldered headers on the mainboard for drives, which prevented memory expansion, and also reported that the SD card slot did not function. Another reviewer expressed a preference for the inclusion of SFP cages, indicating a desire for more versatile port types beyond the standard Gigabit Ethernet. Furthermore, while the router is generally powerful, one user found that it began to reach its performance limits when managing a significant number of complex firewall rules (around 50) and simple queues (around 25) in a 1Gbps fiber circuit setup. While this was acknowledged as expected for the price point, it highlights a potential ceiling for extremely demanding configurations.