Networking Guides

MikroTik CRS326 Switches — Buy in Lebanon

Published by HI-GAIN Engineering Team on March 20, 2026

MikroTik CRS326 Switches — The 24-Port Gigabit Workhorse

The MikroTik CRS326 series is a family of 24-port managed switches with high-speed uplinks, dual-boot SwOS/RouterOS support, and aggressive pricing that undercuts comparable Cisco and Ubiquiti switches. Four models serve different network architectures — from Gigabit copper aggregation to pure SFP+ fiber switching. HI-GAIN stocks all CRS326 models at our Dora, Beirut warehouse.

CRS326 Model Comparison

Model	Ports	Uplinks	Form Factor
CRS326-24G-2S+RM	24x Gigabit	2x 10G SFP+	1U Rackmount
CRS326-24G-2S+IN	24x Gigabit	2x 10G SFP+	Desktop (fanless)
CRS326-24S+2Q+RM	24x 10G SFP+	2x 40G QSFP+	1U Rackmount
CRS326-4C+20G+2Q+RM	20x Gigabit + 4x Combo (1G/SFP)	2x 40G QSFP+	1U Rackmount

CRS326-24G-2S+RM: The Standard Gigabit Switch

The CRS326-24G-2S+RM is MikroTik's best-selling rackmount switch in Lebanon. Twenty-four Gigabit copper ports for end devices plus two 10G SFP+ uplinks for connecting to your core router or aggregation switch. The 98DX3236 switch chip handles wire-speed Layer 2 switching, VLANs, port mirroring, and link aggregation without CPU overhead.

Lebanese ISPs use it for subscriber aggregation at tower sites (24 CPE connections uplinked via SFP+ to a CCR router), while offices deploy it as the primary floor switch with a 10G trunk to the core.

Desktop Variant: CRS326-24G-2S+IN

The CRS326-24G-2S+IN has identical specifications in a compact, fanless desktop case. Zero noise makes it suitable for open offices, reception areas, and home labs. The same 24 Gigabit ports and 2 SFP+ cages, the same switching capacity — just a different enclosure.

CRS326-24S+2Q+RM: All-SFP+ Fiber Switching

The CRS326-24S+2Q+RM replaces all copper ports with 24 SFP+ (10G) cages and adds 2 QSFP+ (40G) ports. This is a datacenter and ISP aggregation switch — connect 24 fiber links from different sites at 10G each, with 40G uplinks to your core router.

Lebanese ISPs with fiber infrastructure use this switch to aggregate FTTH OLTs, tower site backhauls, and inter-datacenter links. The 40G QSFP+ ports connect to a CCR2216 or another high-capacity router.

Dual-Boot: SwOS vs RouterOS

All CRS326 models support dual-boot between SwOS (simple switch OS) and RouterOS (full routing OS):

SwOS: Lightweight web interface for pure switching — VLANs, port isolation, bandwidth limiting, IGMP snooping. Uses minimal CPU and memory. Best when the CRS326 is only a switch.
RouterOS: Full routing, firewall, and management capabilities. Enables the CRS326 to perform inter-VLAN routing, run DHCP server, and manage firewall rules at the switch level. Uses more resources but adds immense flexibility.

Most Lebanese deployments run SwOS for simplicity and rely on a dedicated MikroTik router (like a CCR2004 or RB5009) for routing.

CRS326 vs CSS326: What's the Difference?

MikroTik also sells the CSS326-24G-2S+RM — same hardware as the CRS326-24G-2S+RM but running only SwOS (no RouterOS dual-boot). The CSS326 costs less because of the simpler software license. Choose the CSS326 if you only need Layer 2 switching; choose the CRS326 if you want the option to run RouterOS features later.

Why Lebanese Networks Choose CRS326

Price per port: The CRS326-24G-2S+RM costs a fraction of comparable Cisco Catalyst or Ubiquiti UniFi switches, with more management features (RouterOS) included.
10G SFP+ uplinks: Standard on every model. No premium upcharge for 10G — it is included.
Low power consumption: 24W maximum. Runs easily on a small UPS during Lebanese power outages.
Silent operation: The IN (desktop) model is completely fanless. The RM (rackmount) model has a low-speed fan that is barely audible.

Where to Buy MikroTik CRS326 in Lebanon

HI-GAIN stocks all CRS326 models at our Dora, Beirut warehouse. As Lebanon's authorized MikroTik distributor, we provide genuine products with local warranty and technical support. We also carry the SFP+ modules and DAC cables you need to connect your CRS326 to your network.

Check CRS326 availability and pricing or browse all MikroTik switches in Lebanon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MikroTik CRS326 price in Lebanon?

Contact HI-GAIN for current CRS326 pricing. We stock all four models (24G-2S+RM, 24G-2S+IN, 24S+2Q+RM, 4C+20G+2Q+RM) at our Dora, Beirut warehouse with competitive distributor pricing.

What is the difference between CRS326 and CSS326?

The CRS326 supports dual-boot with RouterOS (full routing features) and SwOS. The CSS326 runs SwOS only (pure switching). Same hardware, different software capabilities. The CRS326 costs slightly more for the RouterOS license.

Can the CRS326 do inter-VLAN routing?

Yes, when running RouterOS. The CRS326 can route between VLANs using its CPU, though performance is lower than a dedicated router. For high-throughput inter-VLAN routing, use a separate CCR or RB router and keep the CRS326 in pure switching mode.

Which CRS326 model is best for a server rack?

The CRS326-24G-2S+RM for copper environments. It fits a standard 1U rack slot and provides 24 Gigabit ports with 2x 10G SFP+ uplinks. For fiber environments, the CRS326-24S+2Q+RM gives 24x 10G SFP+ ports.

Where to buy MikroTik switches in Lebanon?

HI-GAIN is the authorized MikroTik distributor in Lebanon. We stock CRS326, CRS328, CRS354, and other switch models at our Dora, Beirut warehouse with local warranty and technical support.