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There are no more items in your cartMikroTik’s rose data server: Enterprise-grade storage without the enterprise price tag
- Jean-Claude Janse van Rensburg
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There’s a growing demand for storage and compute that doesn’t depend on cloud subscriptions, third-party providers, or sky-high enterprise costs. MikroTik’s answer? The Rose Data Server (RDS2216) is a powerful all-in-one platform designed for organisations that need fast, flexible infrastructure they can fully own and control. Whether you're running a data centre, rolling out a WISP network, or managing a high-throughput edge site, this is hardware that punches far above its weight.
What is the MikroTik rose data server?
The rose data server is MikroTik’s first purpose-built storage and compute device, developed to fill the gap between expensive enterprise SAN/NAS systems and limited entry-level alternatives. It offers:
• 20 x NVMe U.2 storage bays
• Up to 100Gbps networking
• Containerised service hosting
• Dual redundant power supplies
• All packaged into a compact, rack-mountable form factor running a custom edition of RouterOS v7 (ROSE).
This is a high-performance data server, purpose-built to handle the demands of modern IT workloads.
Why was it developed?
MikroTik built the rose to give network professionals and IT teams a better option: one that’s powerful, affordable, and doesn’t require licensing fees or vendor lock-in. It’s designed for:
• Data sovereignty: Keep critical data on-premises
• Lower complexity: Combine storage, networking, and compute in one box
• Reduced costs: No subscriptions, minimal power draw, and excellent performance per rand
It’s especially valuable in markets where infrastructure budgets are tight, but performance still matters, like South Africa and the wider Sub-Saharan region.
What makes it different from other MikroTik products?
While MikroTik is best known for routing and wireless, the rose shifts the focus to:
| Feature | Rose Data Server | Traditional MikroTik Devices |
| Primary Function | Storage & compute | Routing/switching |
| Storage | 20× NVMe + 2× M.2 SATA | Minimal or none |
| Networking | Up to 100Gbps | Up to 40Gbps |
| OS | RouterOS (ROSE edition) | Standard RouterOS |
| Virtualisation | Full container support | Limited or none |
| Redundancy | Dual hot-swap PSUs | Single power, no redundancy |
Common use cases
It’s still MikroTik under the hood but built for a whole new category of use cases. Here’s where the Rose really shines:
• Branch & Edge Compute: Deploy at local offices or remote sites to reduce latency and avoid sending data back to a central cloud.
• WISP or ISP Pop-Up Sites: Use it for caching, logging, or customer data storage at network edges.
• On-Prem Storage for Enterprises: Replace legacy SAN/NAS gear with fast, containerised NVMe storage.
• Self-Hosted Services: Run apps like Nextcloud, MinIO, or Shinobi directly on the device.
• Disaster Recovery or Backup: Use as a replication target with multi-gigabit transfer speeds.
Technical highlights
| Specifications | Details |
| CPU | 16-core ARM, 2 GHz |
| RAM | 32 GB DDR4 ECC |
| Storage | 20 × U.2 NVMe + 2 × M.2 SATA |
| Networking | 2×100G QSFP28, 4×25G, 4×10G, 2×10G RJ45 |
| Power | Dual hot-swap PSUs |
| OS | RouterOS v7 (ROSE), Level 6 license |
| Container Support | Yes (OCI-compatible apps) |
It also supports NVMe-over-TCP, making it a viable alternative to more expensive SAN setups.
Community feedback: what are early adopters saying?
• Performance is solid, even under heavy NVMe and container workloads
• Setup is straightforward, though RouterOS still has a learning curve for newcomers to containers
• Some limitations exist vs full Linux distros (e.g. no A/B firmware partitioning)
• Adaptability is a plus, as many are using M.2 adapters in U.2 slots to save on storage costs
Why it matters for Africa
For regions like South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Rose offers serious value:
• Lower cost of ownership: No recurring fees, efficient power usage, and affordable expansion
• Local data control: Complies with emerging data privacy laws by keeping data on-site
• Flexible deployment: Easily fits into hybrid setups, rural rollouts, or urban data centres
• Energy efficiency: Ideal where electricity is expensive or unreliable
The MikroTik Rose Data Server is a bold move into the enterprise space, and it’s one that makes sense. It combines the performance of a top-tier data appliance with the flexibility and price point that MikroTik is known for. For African organisations looking to take control of their data, scale efficiently, and avoid cloud dependency, the rose might just be the infrastructure upgrade you have been waiting for.
Ready to see if the MikroTik Rose fits your network needs? Get in touch with us on sales@miro.co.za or 012 657 0960 should you require any additional information or assistance.
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