Cisco vs. MikroTik

Yaser Rahmati | یاسر رحمتی

When comparing Cisco and MikroTik, you're essentially looking at two major players in the networking industry with distinct approaches, target markets, and product offerings. Here’s a detailed comparison of the two, covering similarities, differences, advantages, and disadvantages.

1. Overview of Cisco and MikroTik

  • Cisco:

    • Founded: 1984

    • Target Market: Large enterprises, service providers, and data centers.

    • Product Range: Routers, switches, wireless systems, security, collaboration tools, data center networking, and more.

    • Operating System: Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System) and newer platforms like NX-OS, IOS XE, and IOS XR.

  • MikroTik:

    • Founded: 1996

    • Target Market: Small to medium enterprises, ISPs, and advanced home users.

    • Product Range: Routers, switches, wireless systems, access points, and network management software.

    • Operating System: RouterOS.

2. Similarities Between Cisco and MikroTik

  • Network Functionality:

    • Both offer routing, switching, and wireless capabilities.

    • Support for standard networking protocols (e.g., BGP, OSPF, MPLS).

    • Advanced firewall capabilities and security features.

    • Both have their own command-line interface (CLI) for advanced configuration.

  • Virtualization:

    • Both vendors provide virtualized versions of their routers (Cisco with CSR 1000v, MikroTik with CHR - Cloud Hosted Router).

  • Management Interfaces:

    • Both offer web-based GUIs and CLI for managing devices.

    • Both support SNMP and various APIs for monitoring and automation.

  • Extensive Ecosystem:

    • Both companies have a wide ecosystem of accessories and third-party support.

3. Key Differences

Target Market:

  • Cisco: Primarily focused on large enterprises, service providers, and complex networks.

  • MikroTik: Focused on small to medium enterprises, small ISPs, and cost-sensitive customers.

Operating System and Software:

  • Cisco IOS:

    • Mature and robust OS with extensive feature sets.

    • IOS commands are standardized across different platforms.

    • Cisco’s software offerings are often more complex, requiring significant training and certification (CCNA, CCNP, etc.).

  • MikroTik RouterOS:

    • Offers a broad range of features, but sometimes lacks the depth of Cisco's IOS.

    • User interface is simpler and more intuitive for small network setups.

    • Less standardized; commands and interfaces can vary between devices.

Hardware:

  • Cisco:

    • High-end, enterprise-grade hardware with redundancy and high throughput.

    • Offers specialized hardware for different use cases (e.g., ASR routers for high-performance networks).

    • Typically more expensive due to the quality and performance guarantees.

  • MikroTik:

    • Cost-effective hardware, suitable for smaller deployments.

    • Offers versatile devices that can serve multiple roles (e.g., RB4011 can be a router, firewall, or wireless access point).

    • Limited redundancy and lower performance in comparison to Cisco’s high-end devices.

Security:

  • Cisco:

    • Extensive security portfolio, including firewalls, VPNs, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and more.

    • Regular security updates and patches.

    • Advanced security features like TrustSec, MACsec, and identity services.

  • MikroTik:

    • Basic to advanced security features (firewall, VPNs, etc.), but less comprehensive compared to Cisco.

    • Security updates are available, but the frequency and support might not be as robust as Cisco.

Support and Community:

  • Cisco:

    • Comprehensive support packages (SMARTnet), with 24/7 support, hardware replacement, and extensive documentation.

    • Large community and knowledge base due to widespread use in enterprises.

  • MikroTik:

    • Basic support via forums and community-driven resources.

    • Paid support options are available, but not as extensive as Cisco’s offerings.

Pricing:

  • Cisco:

    • Generally higher pricing, reflecting the enterprise-grade quality, support, and extensive feature set.

    • Licensing is often complex, with various tiers and add-ons.

  • MikroTik:

    • Very cost-effective, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious users.

    • Licensing is straightforward and integrated into the device cost.

4. Advantages of Cisco

  • High Performance: Cisco devices are designed for high performance and reliability, especially in large-scale enterprise environments.

  • Security: Advanced security features and a dedicated security portfolio.

  • Support: Extensive global support network, with fast hardware replacement options.

  • Scalability: Suitable for very large and complex networks.

  • Certification and Training: Cisco certifications (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE) are globally recognized and highly valued.

5. Disadvantages of Cisco

  • Cost: Higher initial investment and ongoing costs for licenses and support.

  • Complexity: Configuration can be complex, often requiring certified professionals to manage.

  • Licensing: Complex and sometimes confusing licensing models.

6. Advantages of MikroTik

  • Cost-Effective: Very affordable hardware and software, making it accessible for small to medium businesses.

  • Flexible: Versatile devices that can be repurposed for different roles (router, firewall, access point, etc.).

  • User-Friendly: Easier to configure and manage for small networks.

  • Feature-Rich: Offers a broad range of features at a low cost, including advanced routing protocols and firewall features.

7. Disadvantages of MikroTik

  • Performance: May not perform as well in high-throughput, large-scale environments compared to Cisco.

  • Security: Less comprehensive security features and potentially slower to respond to vulnerabilities.

  • Support: Limited support compared to Cisco, mainly relying on community resources.

  • Scalability: While adequate for small to medium networks, MikroTik may struggle in very large or complex deployments.

8. Conclusion

  • Cisco: Best suited for large enterprises, service providers, and environments where performance, scalability, and comprehensive support are critical. It’s ideal for mission-critical applications that demand the highest levels of security and performance.

  • MikroTik: Ideal for small to medium businesses, ISPs, and advanced home users who need a cost-effective solution with a good balance of features. It’s great for those who need flexibility and a broad range of functionalities at a lower price point.

Ultimately, the choice between Cisco and MikroTik will depend on the specific needs of your network, your budget, and your technical expertise.

Keywords

MikroTik, RouterOS, RouterBOARD, wireless networking, ISP, WISP, networking equipment, routers, switches, Cloud Core Router, CCR, SXT, LTE integration, 5G, cybersecurity, network security, networking software, networking hardware, Latvia, John Trully, Arnis Riekstiņš, MikroTik Academy, MUM events, network management, hotspot, VLAN, firewall, VPN, QoS, bandwidth management, traffic shaping, wireless access point, CAPsMAN, WinBox, PoE, mesh networking, routing protocols, MPLS, OSPF, BGP, MikroTik training

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