MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+ Cloud Core Router in Kenya

The MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+ is a high-performance Cloud Core Router designed for demanding ISP, enterprise, data-centre, BGP, VPN, firewall and 10 Gigabit routing applications. It combines a powerful 16-core 2GHz ARM64 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, twelve switched Gigabit Ethernet ports, a separate Gigabit management interface and four 10G SFP+ interfaces. 

Compared with the CCR2004 family, the CCR2116 places much greater emphasis on processing power. MikroTik says the CCR2116 delivers at least 15% higher single-core performance than the CCR2004 and can deliver roughly twice the performance of its older 36-core CCR1036 in MikroTik's testing, while BGP performance can be substantially higher. 

The router also supports Layer 3 Hardware Offloading, includes an M.2 PCIe slot for compatible NVMe storage, has dual redundant AC power supplies and runs RouterOS v7 with a Level 6 licence. These capabilities make it particularly attractive where an organisation needs substantial routing power rather than simply a large number of interfaces. 

MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+ Key Features

Feature	Specification
Model	CCR2116-12G-4S+
Product Family	Cloud Core Router
Architecture	ARM 64-bit
CPU	AL73400
CPU Cores	16
CPU Frequency	2GHz
CPU Threads	16
RAM	16GB DDR4
Storage	128MB NAND
Switched Gigabit Ethernet	12 × 10/100/1000
Management Ethernet	1 × Gigabit
Total Gigabit Ethernet	13 ports
10G SFP+	4 ports
Switch Chip	Marvell 98DX3255
M.2 Slot	1 × PCIe
USB	1 × USB 3.0 Type-A
Serial Console	RJ45
RouterOS	RouterOS v7
RouterOS Licence	Level 6
Power Inputs	2 × AC
Input Voltage	100–240V AC
Cooling	Active
Dimensions	443 × 199 × 44mm
Operating Temperature	-20°C to +60°C
Best For	ISP / Enterprise / BGP / 10G routing

 

Powerful 16-Core 2GHz ARM64 Processor

The CCR2116-12G-4S+ uses the Annapurna Labs AL73400, a 64-bit ARM processor with 16 cores operating at 2GHz. 

This is the key feature separating the CCR2116 from lower-tier MikroTik routers.

The additional processing capacity becomes particularly valuable for workloads involving:

• BGP

• OSPF

• Firewall rules

• Queues

• QoS

• NAT

• VPN

• Inter-VLAN routing

• Policy routing

• Large connection counts

• Complex RouterOS configurations

MikroTik specifically highlights per-connection processing such as queues as an area where the CCR2116's strong single-core performance is beneficial. 

16GB DDR4 RAM

The CCR2116 provides 16GB of DDR4 memory, four times the 4GB RAM found in the CCR2004 models discussed previously. 

That amount of memory makes the router particularly suitable for complex professional networks involving large routing tables and demanding RouterOS workloads.

Potential applications include:

Full or substantial BGP routing tables

Multiple BGP peers

Large firewall configurations

Large numbers of active connections

Multiple VPNs

Complex VLAN architectures

ISP subscriber networks

Dynamic routing

Enterprise network cores

12 Gigabit Ethernet Ports

The CCR2116 provides 12 switched 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet ports for network connectivity. 

These can connect:

• Distribution switches

• Access switches

• ISP equipment

• Servers

• CCTV infrastructure

• Management networks

• Wireless networks

• Customer networks

• Fibre ONTs

• Other routers

Unlike the fibre-heavy CCR2004-1G-12S+2XS, the CCR2116 provides a useful combination of conventional copper Ethernet and high-speed SFP+ connectivity.

Dedicated Gigabit Management Port

There is also an additional Gigabit Ethernet interface connected directly to the CPU for management, bringing the official total to 13 Gigabit Ethernet ports. 

This provides administrators with a convenient dedicated management connection.

The management interface can also be used during RouterOS recovery and Netinstall procedures. MikroTik's current documentation identifies the MGMT/BOOT interface as part of the recovery process. 

Four 10G SFP+ Interfaces

The CCR2116 includes four 10 Gigabit SFP+ interfaces. 

Each SFP+ interface has a dedicated full-duplex connection to the router's Marvell switch chip, providing the high-speed connectivity needed to take advantage of the router's processing capability. 

The four SFP+ interfaces can be used for:

• 10G ISP upstreams

• 10G fibre connections

• Core switches

• Distribution switches

• Data-centre links

• Server infrastructure

• Fibre backbones

• High-speed inter-building links

Suitable SFP+ modules or DAC cables are selected separately according to the network design.

Marvell 98DX3255 Switch Chip

The CCR2116 uses a Marvell 98DX3255 switch chip. 

The twelve standard Gigabit ports are arranged into groups of four, with each group having a dedicated full-duplex connection to the switch chip. The four SFP+ interfaces also connect independently at 10Gbps full duplex. 

This architecture is important because the CCR2116 isn't simply a powerful CPU connected through a narrow internal interface.

It is designed to combine substantial routing performance with high-throughput switching infrastructure.

Layer 3 Hardware Offloading

One of the most important features of the CCR2116 is Layer 3 Hardware Offloading support. 

Hardware offloading allows supported routing operations to be processed by the switch hardware rather than sending every packet through the CPU.

In appropriate configurations, this can dramatically improve routing efficiency.

This makes the CCR2116 particularly interesting for:

• High-speed inter-VLAN routing

• Enterprise core networks

• ISP aggregation

• Large routed networks

• High-throughput internal networks

Not every RouterOS feature or configuration can necessarily be hardware-offloaded, so network design remains important.

RouterOS v7

The CCR2116 runs RouterOS v7 with a Level 6 licence. 

RouterOS provides extensive networking capabilities, including:

• BGP

• OSPF

• IPv6

• VLANs

• Firewall

• NAT

• VPN

• QoS

• Queues

• Policy routing

• DHCP

• PPPoE

• Hotspot

• Multi-WAN

• Monitoring

• SNMP

• Scripting

• Layer 3 hardware offloading

MikroTik's 2026 documentation recommends updating the unit to the latest applicable RouterOS release for compliance, stability and security. 

MikroTik CCR2116 for BGP

BGP is one of the strongest reasons to consider the CCR2116.

MikroTik specifically markets this model for large ISPs dealing with dynamic routing and substantial BGP workloads and says it can achieve approximately six times the BGP performance of the older CCR1036 generation in its comparison. 

A possible architecture is:

Transit Provider A → 10G SFP+

Transit Provider B → 10G SFP+

IXP → 10G SFP+

↓

CCR2116-12G-4S+

↓

10G Core / Distribution Network

This makes the router suitable for organisations operating:

• Autonomous Systems

• Multiple upstream providers

• Internet exchanges

• ISP networks

• Large enterprise WANs

MikroTik CCR2116 for Internet Service Providers

The CCR2116 is particularly well suited to medium and larger ISPs.

Potential applications include:

BGP edge routing

OSPF

PPPoE aggregation

CGNAT designs

Subscriber management

Traffic shaping

QoS

Multi-WAN

ISP firewall

10G backbone routing

Network aggregation

VPN

A typical topology could be:

Internet Transit / IXP

↓ 10G

CCR2116

↓ 10G

Core Switch

↓

OLT / Wireless Backhaul / POPs / Customer Networks

The appropriate subscriber count cannot be determined from the hardware specifications alone because actual performance depends on services, traffic patterns, packet sizes and RouterOS configuration.

MikroTik CCR2116 for Enterprise Networks

Large businesses can use the CCR2116 as a central network gateway or routing platform.

For example:

ISP 1 → CCR2116

ISP 2 → CCR2116

Starlink Backup → CCR2116

↓

10G Core Switch

↓

Office / CCTV / Wi-Fi / VoIP / Servers

RouterOS can then control:

• Internet routing

• VLANs

• Firewall policies

• VPN

• Bandwidth

• Failover

• Network segmentation

• Inter-VLAN communication

This provides a much more structured architecture than operating several independent routers throughout the organisation.

Fibre + Starlink Multi-WAN

The CCR2116 can be used where an organisation requires multiple internet connections.

For example:

Primary Fibre → CCR2116

Secondary Fibre → CCR2116

Starlink → CCR2116

RouterOS can then be configured for:

Automatic Failover

If the primary fibre connection fails, another ISP or Starlink can become the backup path.

Policy-Based Routing

Specific departments, servers or VLANs can use particular WAN connections.

Load Distribution

Connections can be distributed between available WANs.

Load balancing does not automatically combine multiple connections into one faster single download. The exact behaviour depends on the routing design.

MikroTik CCR2116 for VLAN Routing

A CCR2116 can act as the central gateway for many VLANs.

VLAN	Purpose
10	Network Management
20	Staff
30	Guest Wi-Fi
40	CCTV
50	VoIP
60	Servers
70	IoT
80	ISP Infrastructure
90	Backup / Management

Firewall policies can then control communication between them.

For example:

Guest → Internet only

CCTV → NVR only

IoT → Restricted services

Staff → Internet + authorized servers

Management → Network equipment

Layer 3 Hardware Offloading can also be relevant to supported high-throughput routing scenarios.

MikroTik CCR2116 for VPN

The router's 16-core CPU makes it attractive for networks carrying significant encrypted traffic.

Possible applications include:

Head Office ↔ Branch

Office ↔ Data Centre

Remote Employees ↔ Headquarters

ISP ↔ Remote POP

Site ↔ Cloud Infrastructure

Actual VPN throughput depends on:

• Protocol

• Encryption

• Packet size

• Number of tunnels

• Firewall rules

• NAT

• RouterOS configuration

• Other simultaneous workloads

The presence of 10G interfaces should therefore not be interpreted as a guarantee of 10Gbps encrypted VPN throughput.

MikroTik CCR2116 for OSPF

The CCR2116 can participate in OSPF networks where routes need to be exchanged automatically between multiple routers.

Example:

CCR2116 Core

↕

POP Router A

↕

POP Router B

↕

Branch Router C

This is useful for:

• ISPs

• Universities

• Large campuses

• Hotels

• Multi-building organisations

• Multi-branch businesses

Dynamic routing can make larger networks easier to scale than relying entirely on manually maintained static routes.

M.2 PCIe Slot

A major feature not found on many MikroTik routers is the M.2 PCIe slot.

MikroTik specifies a PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 connection and recommends compatible NVMe M.2 2280 M-key SSDs. Its current manual states no specific capacity limitation for compatible NVMe storage. 

This can provide additional storage for supported RouterOS applications.

The SSD is purchased separately.

USB 3.0

The current CCR2116 specification also lists one USB 3.0 Type-A port.

This provides additional peripheral flexibility depending on RouterOS support and the intended application.

Dual Redundant Power Supplies

For enterprise and ISP environments, power redundancy is essential.

The CCR2116 provides two AC inputs supporting 100–240V AC. 

A professional deployment could use:

PSU 1 → UPS A

PSU 2 → UPS B / Alternative Power Circuit

This means failure of one PSU or power feed does not necessarily shut down the router.

MikroTik specifically includes dual redundant power as part of the CCR2116's ISP-focused design. 

Power Consumption

MikroTik's March 2026 specification sheet lists:

Power Specification	Value
AC Inputs	2
AC Input Range	100–240V
Without Attachments	Up to 60W
Maximum Consumption	Up to 72W

Earlier MikroTik product-page data has listed a higher maximum figure, so the newer March 2026 specification sheet is the better reference for current product documentation. 

Active Cooling

The CCR2116 is actively cooled.

MikroTik's product information lists four cooling fans. 

This is appropriate for a powerful 16-core rackmount router but means it is intended for:

• Server rooms

• Network cabinets

• Data centres

• ISP racks

• Dedicated equipment rooms

rather than noise-sensitive desktop environments.

1U Rackmount Design

The CCR2116 measures approximately 443 × 199 × 44mm, making it a standard 1U-class rackmount router. 

MikroTik states that the unit is intended for indoor rack installation and should be kept in a dry, properly ventilated environment. 

This makes it suitable for integration with:

• Rack switches

• Patch panels

• Fibre distribution

• UPS systems

• Servers

• Network monitoring equipment

CCR2116 Performance

MikroTik publishes RFC2544 benchmark results for the CCR2116.

In its fast-path routing test using 1518-byte packets, MikroTik reports approximately 39Gbps under the specific laboratory configuration. With 25 simple queues, the same 1518-byte test also reaches about 39Gbps, while performance changes significantly with smaller packets and different processing requirements. 

These numbers should not be treated as guaranteed production throughput.

MikroTik explicitly notes that its benchmarks show maximum performance under specified hardware/software configurations and that different real-world configurations will most likely produce lower results. 

MikroTik CCR2116 vs CCR2004-16G-2S+

Feature	CCR2116-12G-4S+	CCR2004-16G-2S+
CPU Cores	16	4
CPU Frequency	2GHz	1.7GHz
RAM	16GB	4GB
Gigabit Ethernet	13 total	16
10G SFP+	4	2
M.2	Yes	No
L3 Hardware Offload	Yes	Different architecture
Dual PSU	Yes	Yes
Main Focus	High-performance routing	Port-rich enterprise routing
Best For	Large ISP / Enterprise	Medium ISP / Enterprise

The CCR2004-16G-2S+ provides more conventional Gigabit access ports.

The CCR2116 provides substantially more CPU, RAM and 10G connectivity, making it the stronger choice for demanding routing workloads. 

MikroTik CCR2116 vs CCR2004-1G-12S+2XS

Feature	CCR2116-12G-4S+	CCR2004-1G-12S+2XS
CPU Cores	16	4
RAM	16GB	4GB
1G Ethernet	13 total	1
10G SFP+	4	12
25G SFP28	None	2
M.2 NVMe	Yes	No
Main Strength	Processing power	Fibre interface density
Ideal Use	BGP / firewall / routing	10G/25G aggregation

This is an important distinction.

Choose the CCR2004-1G-12S+2XS where 10G/25G interface density is the priority.

Choose the CCR2116 where CPU-intensive routing, firewalling, queues and BGP are the bigger requirement.

MikroTik CCR2116 vs RB5009

Feature	CCR2116	RB5009
CPU Cores	16	4
RAM	16GB	1GB
10G SFP+	4	1
M.2	Yes	No
Dual PSU	Yes	No
Rackmount	1U	Compact
Target	ISP / Enterprise	SMB / Advanced Office

The RB5009 is much more practical for ordinary SMEs.

The CCR2116 becomes appropriate when the organisation has genuine requirements for multi-10G routing, large BGP tables, complex firewall policies or heavy enterprise/ISP traffic.

MikroTik CCR2116 vs CCR2216

The CCR2216 sits above the CCR2116 in MikroTik's routing portfolio and targets networks requiring even higher-speed interfaces and core-routing capacity.

The CCR2116 remains particularly attractive for networks built primarily around 1G and 10G infrastructure.

For organisations moving into 25G and 100G core networking, the CCR2216 should also be evaluated.

Advantages of MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+

Major advantages include:

• Powerful 16-core 2GHz ARM64 CPU

• 16GB DDR4 RAM

• 12 switched Gigabit Ethernet ports

• Separate Gigabit management interface

• 4 × 10G SFP+

• Layer 3 Hardware Offloading

• M.2 PCIe NVMe slot

• USB 3.0

• RouterOS v7

• Level 6 licence

• BGP

• OSPF

• VPN

• VLAN routing

• Advanced firewall

• Queues and QoS

• Dual redundant power

• 1U rackmount

• Strong ISP and enterprise performance

Limitations to Consider

The CCR2116 is a specialist professional router, so several considerations are important:

• No built-in Wi-Fi

• No 2.5GbE RJ45 ports

• No native 25G or 100G interfaces

• SFP+ modules or DAC cables are normally purchased separately

• Active cooling creates fan noise

• Higher power consumption than small RouterBOARD devices

• RouterOS requires networking expertise for advanced deployments

• Excessive for ordinary homes and many small offices

• High interface speed does not guarantee equivalent throughput with every feature enabled

For wireless coverage, pair it with dedicated access points rather than expecting the CCR itself to provide Wi-Fi.

Who Should Buy the MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+?

The CCR2116 is particularly suitable for:

Internet Service Providers

For BGP, OSPF, subscriber routing, firewalling, QoS and 10G backbone infrastructure.

Large Enterprises

For high-capacity internet gateways, VLAN routing, VPN and network segmentation.

Data Centres

For high-performance 10G routing and network edge applications.

Universities and Campuses

For large routed networks connecting multiple buildings and departments.

Large Hotels and Resorts

For segmented guest, staff, CCTV, VoIP and management networks.

Multi-Site Organisations

For dynamic routing and high-capacity site-to-site connectivity.

Businesses with Multiple ISPs

For fibre, secondary fibre and Starlink failover architectures.

Typical CCR2116 Network Architecture

A professional deployment might look like:

ISP Transit A – 10G
ISP Transit B – 10G
IXP – 10G
Backup WAN

↓

MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+

↓

10G Core Switch

↓

Distribution Switches

↓

Wi-Fi / CCTV / Servers / Offices / VoIP / Customers

The CCR2116 can then perform the routing, firewalling, BGP, VPN and policy functions while dedicated switches handle access-layer connectivity.

What Is Included in the Box?

MikroTik's current documentation lists the key included hardware as:

Included Item	Status
CCR2116-12G-4S+	Included
2 × Power Cords	Included
Rackmount Brackets	Included
Fastening Set	Included

SFP+ transceivers, DAC cables and M.2 NVMe storage are selected separately according to the deployment.

MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+ Price in Kenya

MikroTik currently lists a suggested manufacturer price of US$995 for the CCR2116-12G-4S+. This is a manufacturer reference price, not an Orbitlink Solutions Kenya selling price, and does not represent local taxes, freight, exchange-rate effects or current stock costs.

For Orbitlink Solutions:

Contact Orbitlink Solutions for the current CCR2116-12G-4S+ price and stock availability.

A complete deployment may additionally require SFP+ modules, DAC cables, fibre patch cords, an NVMe SSD, core switches, a rack cabinet, UPS equipment and professional configuration.

Why Buy MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+ from Orbitlink Solutions?

The CCR2116 should be selected according to actual network workload rather than simply because it is more powerful than the CCR2004.

Orbitlink Solutions can help assess requirements such as internet bandwidth, BGP tables, VPN traffic, firewall complexity, number of VLANs, 10G uplinks, multi-WAN requirements and future network expansion before choosing the appropriate MikroTik platform.

For smaller networks, an RB5009 or CCR2004 may provide better value. For fibre-dense networks requiring twelve 10G and two 25G interfaces, the CCR2004-1G-12S+2XS may be a better architectural fit. For heavier CPU-intensive routing on a predominantly 1G/10G network, the CCR2116 is considerably more compelling.

Watch the MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+ Video

The CCR2116-12G-4S+ represents a substantial step up from the CCR2004 family when processing capacity is the priority. Its 16-core 2GHz ARM64 processor and 16GB of DDR4 memory give network administrators considerably more resources for BGP, queues, firewall rules, VPNs and other demanding RouterOS workloads. 

Its connectivity is also well balanced for established 10G networks. Four SFP+ interfaces provide high-speed upstream and core connectivity, while twelve switched Gigabit interfaces and a separate management port accommodate conventional network infrastructure. Layer 3 Hardware Offloading adds another important option for supported high-throughput routing designs. 

The CCR2116 should nevertheless be treated as professional network infrastructure rather than simply a faster office router. Its performance depends on packet sizes, firewall complexity, queues, VPN encryption and other RouterOS functions. Proper network design, suitable SFP+ modules, redundant power and professional configuration are important for extracting the value of the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions About MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+

What is the MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+?

It is a high-performance MikroTik Cloud Core Router designed for ISP and enterprise routing, using a 16-core ARM64 processor with 16GB RAM and multiple Gigabit and 10G interfaces.

What CPU does the CCR2116 use?

It uses the AL73400 ARM64 processor with 16 cores running at 2GHz. 

How much RAM does CCR2116 have?

It has 16GB DDR4 RAM.

How many Ethernet ports does it have?

The current official specification lists 13 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces in total: twelve switched ports plus an additional management interface. 

How many 10G ports does CCR2116 have?

It provides four 10G SFP+ interfaces. 

Does CCR2116 support 25G?

It does not have native SFP28 25G interfaces. If 25G port density is required, other MikroTik platforms should be considered.

Does CCR2116 support BGP?

Yes. BGP is one of its key applications, and MikroTik specifically highlights major BGP performance improvements compared with older CCR generations.

Does it support Layer 3 Hardware Offloading?

Yes. MikroTik officially lists Layer 3 Hardware Offloading support. 

Does CCR2116 support OSPF?

Yes. RouterOS v7 supports OSPF and other professional routing functionality.

Does it support VPNs?

Yes. It can serve as a high-performance VPN gateway, although actual encrypted throughput depends on protocol, encryption and configuration.

Does CCR2116 have an M.2 slot?

Yes. It includes one PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 M.2 slot, with MikroTik recommending compatible NVMe M.2 2280 M-key SSDs. 

Does it have USB?

Yes. The current specification lists one USB 3.0 Type-A interface. 

Does CCR2116 have Wi-Fi?

No. It is a wired Cloud Core Router. Dedicated access points should be used for wireless coverage.

Can CCR2116 work with fibre?

Yes. Its four SFP+ interfaces can be used with suitable fibre transceivers.

Can CCR2116 work with Starlink?

Yes. Starlink can be integrated as a WAN or backup connection within a properly designed RouterOS network.

Can it use fibre and Starlink together?

Yes. RouterOS can be configured for multi-WAN, failover and policy routing.

Does it have redundant power supplies?

Yes. The device accepts power through two redundant 100–240V AC inputs. 

Is CCR2116 fanless?

No. It uses active cooling; MikroTik lists four fans. 

Is it rackmountable?

Yes. Its dimensions are approximately 443 × 199 × 44mm, making it suitable for 1U rack installation.

Is CCR2116 better than CCR2004?

For CPU-intensive routing, large BGP workloads, complex firewalling and queues, the CCR2116 is substantially more powerful. However, certain CCR2004 variants provide different port configurations that may better suit fibre-dense or copper-heavy networks.

Is CCR2116 suitable for an ISP?

Yes. MikroTik explicitly positions it for large ISP environments involving dynamic routing, BGP, firewalling and complex QoS. 

What is the CCR2116-12G-4S+ price in Kenya?

Contact Orbitlink Solutions for the current Kenya price and stock availability.

Buy MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+ in Kenya

The MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+ is designed for networks where routing performance has become more important than simply adding more ports. Its 16-core 2GHz ARM64 processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, four 10G SFP+ interfaces, 13 total Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, Layer 3 Hardware Offloading and M.2 PCIe expansion make it a strong option for demanding ISP and enterprise infrastructure.

For organisations running BGP, OSPF, multi-WAN, VPN, large VLAN environments, complex firewall policies, QoS or 10G backbone infrastructure, the CCR2116 provides a major performance step above smaller MikroTik platforms.

Contact Orbitlink Solutions

Orbitlink Solutions
Lyric House, 7th Floor, Room S9, Kimathi Street, Nairobi
Call / Text / WhatsApp: +254 743 720 551
Email: info@orbitlinksolutions.co.ke
Alternative Email: orbitlinksolutions@gmail.com
Opening Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Availability: Nairobi pickup and nationwide delivery

 

Contact Orbitlink Solutions for the current MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+ price in Kenya, stock availability, SFP+ transceiver selection, configuration and deployment guidance for ISP, enterprise, fibre, BGP and multi-WAN networks.