The world of technology is constantly evolving, and Mikrotik, a Latvian company known for its high-quality networking equipment, has launched a product that is catching the attention of tech enthusiasts and IT professionals. The RDS2216, a data server that combines impressive power with low energy consumption, represents a versatile solution for advanced home and business environments.
What is the Mikrotik RDS2216?
The RDS2216 is a data server developed by Mikrotik that uses an Amazon ARM processor. This equipment is designed to function as a router, switch, and data server simultaneously, offering an impressive combination of networking and storage capabilities.
Technical Specifications of the Mikrotik RDS2216
Connectivity
- 2x 200G QSFP28 ports
- 4x 25G SFP28 ports
- 4x 10G SFP+ ports
- 2x 10G Ethernet ports
- SFF8644 interface for SAS/SATA connections
Storage
- 20x U.2 NVMe slots
- 2x M.2 SATA slots (discovered during analysis)
Processing
- ARM v8 AL73400 CPU (known as AWS Graviton 1)
- 16 cores at 2 GHz
- 32 GB DDR4 RAM
- 128 MB NAND storage for the RouterOS operating system
Other features of the RDS2216
- Hardware acceleration for IPSec
- Redundant power supply (2x 550W)
- MTBF (mean time between failures) of 200,000 hours (approximately 22 years)
- Low power consumption: approximately 80-97W in use
Operating System and Interface
The RDS2216 runs RouterOS, Mikrotik’s proprietary operating system, but in a version specific to data centers. The interface is intuitive and can be accessed via:
- Web interface
- Winbox desktop application
- Command-line terminal
The system has a wide range of network settings, including:
- IP and DNS management
- Firewall configuration
- VLAN and bridge support
- Network diagnostics tools
- VPN (including integrated WireGuard)
Advanced Features of the RDS2216
Container Support
The server allows the execution of Docker containers, offering possibilities such as:
- Hosting applications like Pi-hole for ad blocking
- Network monitoring servers
- Storage and backup services
File System and Storage
- BTRFS (or “butterfs”) support
- Snapshot and sub-volume functionalities
- NVMe over TCP for sharing storage with other devices
- RAID configuration capability
- Samba support for file sharing
Performance
During tests performed in the video, the RDS2216 demonstrated impressive performance:
- Extremely low power consumption (about 80W in idle)
- Even with 100% CPU usage, consumption reached only 97W
- Ability to manage multiple containers simultaneously
- Network speed compatible with available interfaces (tests showed speeds up to 9.4 Gbps)
Expandability
The server offers several expansion options:
- The 20 U.2 NVMe slots can be populated with high-capacity SSDs
- M.2 to U.2 adapters can be used to take advantage of existing M.2 SSDs
- The SFF8644 adapter allows the connection of up to 8 additional SATA devices
Conclusion
The Mikrotik RDS2216 is an impressive piece of equipment that offers a rare combination of high performance, low power consumption, and versatility. With a price of $1,950, it represents an interesting option for:
- Tech enthusiasts who want to consolidate multiple devices into one
- Small and medium-sized businesses that need a powerful and economical server
- Environments that value energy efficiency without sacrificing performance
The ability to function as a router, switch, and data server simultaneously makes the RDS2216 an “all-in-one” solution that can significantly simplify network and storage infrastructure, whether in an advanced home or business environment.
For those who value data privacy and prefer to maintain complete control over their information, this equipment offers a robust alternative to cloud services.
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