MikroTik CRS328 PoE Switch — Buy in Lebanon

MikroTik CRS328 Switches: The Go-To PoE and SFP Platforms for Lebanon

The MikroTik CRS328 family includes two distinct switches built for different network architectures. The CRS328-24P-4S+RM is a 24-port Gigabit PoE switch with 450W power budget and 4x 10G SFP+ uplinks — the most popular MikroTik switch for CCTV, WiFi, and VoIP deployments in Lebanon. The CRS328-4C-20S-4S+RM is a 20-port SFP switch with 4x SFP+ and 4 combo ports for fiber-centric ISP networks.

HI-GAIN stocks both CRS328 models at our Dora, Beirut warehouse. We have supplied MikroTik networking equipment to Lebanese ISPs, integrators, and enterprises since 1990.

CRS328-24P-4S+RM: The 24-Port PoE Workhorse

Hardware Specifications

The CRS328-24P-4S+RM packs 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE output and 4x 10G SFP+ uplink ports into a 1U rackmount chassis. The internal 500W power supply dedicates 450W to PoE (the switch itself consumes up to 44W), distributed across three groups of 8 ports at 150W per group. Each individual port delivers up to 30W.

PoE Flexibility: af/at and Passive on Every Port

What makes the CRS328-24P unique in its price class is PoE versatility. Every port auto-detects whether the connected device expects 802.3af (15.4W), 802.3at PoE+ (30W), or MikroTik's passive PoE at various voltages. This means a single switch powers a mixed fleet of devices without separate injectors:

• 802.3af/at IP cameras (Hikvision, Dahua, Uniview)
• MikroTik access points running passive 24V PoE (cAP AC, SXTsq Lite5)
• Ubiquiti UniFi APs running 802.3at (U6 Pro, U6 LR)
• VoIP phones drawing 5-13W via 802.3af

In CCTV installations across Lebanese office buildings and retail centers, this eliminates the tangle of individual PoE injectors that plague cheaper switch deployments. Read more about PoE planning in our PoE switches for CCTV guide.

PoE Budget Planning: The 150W Group Rule

The 450W PoE budget splits into three groups of 8 ports, each capped at 150W. Understanding this grouping prevents overloading:

• Ports 1-8: 150W maximum combined
• Ports 9-16: 150W maximum combined
• Ports 17-24: 150W maximum combined

For a 24-camera CCTV system where each camera draws 12W, total demand is 288W — well within the 450W budget. But if you concentrate high-draw devices (30W PTZ cameras) on ports 1-8, five cameras would hit the 150W group cap. Spread high-power devices evenly across port groups to maximize the budget.

CRS328-4C-20S-4S+RM: The SFP Switch for Fiber Networks

The CRS328-4C-20S-4S+RM targets ISPs and enterprises running fiber infrastructure. It provides 20 SFP cages (1G), 4 SFP+ cages (10G), and 4 combo ports (RJ45 or SFP). The 800 MHz CPU with 512 MB RAM and dual redundant PSUs make it reliable for always-on ISP service.

The SFP model is popular with Lebanese ISPs using fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) architectures. Each SFP port connects to a subscriber building via a BiDi SFP module, and the 4x 10G SFP+ uplinks trunk to the core router. The dual redundant PSU — absent on the PoE model — provides the reliability ISPs require.

Deployment Scenarios in Lebanon

CCTV Installation with the CRS328-24P

A typical Lebanese commercial building CCTV deployment uses 16-24 IP cameras. Mount the CRS328-24P in a server rack, connect each camera directly to a port (eliminating injectors), and run a 10G SFP+ uplink to the NVR or router. The 450W PoE budget handles 24 cameras drawing up to 18W each. For facilities with fewer cameras but longer cable runs, the switch also powers MikroTik outdoor radios like the SXTsq SA5 AC over the same cabling.

Office WiFi Deployment

Deploy MikroTik cAP series access points across a multi-floor Beirut office. The CRS328-24P powers each AP directly — no injectors, no wall adapters. Use CAPsMAN on your MikroTik router to manage all APs centrally. The 4x SFP+ uplinks provide 10G trunks to the core network, preventing bottlenecks when dozens of users stream, download, and video-conference simultaneously.

ISP Fiber Aggregation with the CRS328-4C-20S

Lebanese ISPs running FTTB connect each building's ONU or media converter via single-mode fiber to the CRS328-4C-20S. Twenty SFP ports serve 20 buildings. The 10G SFP+ uplinks trunk to a core router like the CCR2004-16G-2S+. The dual PSU means no subscriber outage if one power supply fails.

CRS328 vs CRS326: Do You Need PoE?

The MikroTik CRS326 series offers 24-port Gigabit switching without PoE at a lower price point. If your cameras and APs already have dedicated power supplies, or if you use external PoE injectors, the CRS326-24G-2S+RM saves budget. But for new installations where you want clean cabling and centralized power management, the CRS328-24P's 450W PoE budget eliminates injector clutter and reduces failure points.

Dual Boot: RouterOS vs SwOS

Both CRS328 models support dual boot between RouterOS and SwOS. RouterOS provides full Layer 3 routing, firewall, VPN, and queue capabilities — useful when the switch must double as a router in smaller deployments. SwOS is a lightweight Layer 2 switching OS with a web interface optimized for pure switching tasks. Most CCTV and WiFi deployments run SwOS for maximum switching throughput; ISP aggregation setups use RouterOS for VLAN management and ACLs.

Where to Buy MikroTik CRS328 Switches in Lebanon

HI-GAIN stocks both CRS328 models at our Dora, Beirut warehouse. We support CCTV integrators, ISPs, and IT departments with:

• Pre-configured switches ready for deployment (VLAN setup, PoE limits, management access)
• Compatible SFP and SFP+ modules tested with the CRS328
• Technical guidance on PoE budget planning and network design
• Competitive pricing for bulk orders — contact HI-GAIN for pricing

Check CRS328 availability online or browse all MikroTik switches in Lebanon.