MikroTikRBmAPL-2nD 2GHz mAP lite access point 802.11bgn 2x2 PoE in

If you love configuring IT gear, enjoy puzzles and searching for gold with torn scraps of faded treasure maps then you're the target demographic for this little guy. If you want a TINY wifi AP/router/bridge/etc. that can be PoE or USB powered in your bag of tricks, you'll endure the UI and documentation. Does the job once configuration is dialed in, and much smaller than anything similar. I have several, each set up for a different use case.

This thing is tiny, and can be PoE powered, making it incredibly flexible. I have a remote gate that I wanted to install the highest resolution Ring doorbell, which is unfortunately not the one that has Ethernet support. So, what to do. My wifi signal out to that location is weak, and the doorbell would not reliably allow for two way communication with people at the gate. I had ethernet out there, then found this little guy, and it made for the perfect solution. I put it in a little weatherproof box, sealed the ethernet wire into the box, and powered it with PoE. I stuffed the whole thing in the wall behind the doorbell and it's set to act as a wifi to ethernet bridge with a custom SSID just for my doorbell to use. Now the doorbell has a strong wifi signal six inches away and works flawlessly. The mikrotik has an accessible IP on the internal side of the bridge so I can still manage and update it as needed.

This router by default comes as a WiFi access point where the internet comes IN via the Ethernet cable and OUT via the Wifi.However, the RouterOS (which is extremely full featured) allows the reverse, which is what I needed in order to use my iPhone as a backup WAN to my home office. In this use case, it's possible to configure it so that the internet come IN via the Wifi (which connects to your phone's hotspot) and OUT via the ethernet to your router. (You need a Dual WAN router to make this work.)In my case, my PepLink Balance One has my cable modem as its primary WAN interface and then I set up my backup WAN interface to point to the ethernet cable coming out of the MikroTik.With this set up, when the cable modem service drops out (which it seems to do every month or so for a hour+ of time), the router now 'fails-over' to the MikroTik which hotspots to my phone. Everything on the network works transparently.So far so good. Far cheaper to go this route for occasional internet drops from a main provider than to get a full backup connection from somebody like Starlink.

If you work in data centers, you know the one thing you never have is a place to set your laptop while cabled into rack. You’re stuck balancing the laptop on your arm, typing one-handed, or sitting on the grimy floor. But this gizmo has a secret super power: it can turn any Ethernet port into a wireless port you can connect to from any convenient nearby bench or desk. Just configure the thing as a pure Ethernet bridge, and then connect to it wirelessly. It’s indistinguishable from a 100’ cable snaking to your laptop work area. You can power it from any USB power bank or PoE Ethernet port, no no need to track down a 120V outlet. I have one in every laptop case.

The access point was great while it worked, lasted 5 months and now it's dead, stays on for about 39 seconds then goes offline and constantly restarts. Not happy

This is a great access point for putting into a server rack for either temporary or permanent use. As of February 1 2024 it takes the most recent version of the mikrotik operating system which means it has very flexible Wi-Fi security options.The only downside is that it is 2.4 GHz only but especially in a temporary situation where you're trying to get distance away from the data center noise it's perfect.

Was skeptical such a little device would be able to provide decent connectivity. Use it for my indoor cycling training with a Zwift station and Zwift companion mobile app. 50 miles ridden so far and no drops! Like other Mikrotik devices I've owned it helps to have some networking knowledge to take advantage of all the features. Thankfully there is a very active user community/forum that can answer just about any configuration question you may have.

RouterOS is incredible, especially that it can run on such a small device.I'm using it to connect to my phone hotspot and provide a backup WAN connection.The only real cons I see are- Its almost too small (not really a con)- The PoE doesn't work, at least on my switch without a modified cable