The RB760iGS is the hEX (RB750Gr3) with two meaningful additions: an SFP cage running at 1.25 Gbps, and passive PoE output on Ethernet port 5. The CPU, RAM, port count, RouterOS licence, IPsec performance, USB, and microSD are identical between the two models. Whether to choose the hEX or hEX S comes down to whether you need either of those additions.

SFP Cage — Fibre and SFP Module Support

The 1.25 Gbps SFP cage accepts standard SFP modules, opening several deployment scenarios not possible on the hEX: direct connection to a GPON or EPON ONU’s SFP uplink, a fibre run to a remote switch or building, a media converter bypass, or connection to a switch or router with an SFP port for a cleaner cabling arrangement. The SFP port operates at 1.25 Gbps maximum — it is not an SFP+ port and does not support 10G modules.

SFP module not included. The appropriate SFP module must be sourced separately — single-mode or multimode depending on your fibre type and distance, or a copper SFP for RJ45 connectivity via the SFP port.

PoE Output on Port 5 — Passive PoE

Port 5 provides passive PoE output, powering other passive PoE-capable devices at the same voltage as supplied to the unit. With the included 24V power adapter, this means port 5 outputs 24V passive PoE — sufficient to power MikroTik wireless access points, IP cameras, and other devices that accept passive PoE at that voltage. This is a clean way to power a single downstream device without a separate PoE injector.

Passive PoE only — not 802.3af/at. Port 5 does not negotiate standard PoE. Only connect devices that are explicitly rated for passive PoE at the voltage you are supplying. Connecting a standard 802.3af/at-only device to a passive PoE port can damage the device.

Hardware and RouterOS

The MT7621A dual-core MMIPS CPU runs at 880 MHz with 256 MB RAM. IPsec hardware encryption delivers approximately 470 Mbps — making this a capable VPN gateway for site-to-site IPsec, L2TP/IPsec road warrior, or any application where encryption throughput matters. The Dude server package is supported via the microSD slot for improved read/write performance, and a full-size USB 2.0 port is available for storage or 3G/4G LTE modem failover.

RouterOS Level 4 is pre-installed with lifetime free updates, covering the full feature set: OSPF, BGP, RIPv2, firewall, NAT, VLAN, IPsec, OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP, SSTP, MPLS, bandwidth queuing, hotspot, scripting, and more.

Key Highlights

• CPU: MT7621A dual-core MMIPS @ 880 MHz | 4 threads
• RAM: 256 MB | Storage: 16 MB flash + microSD slot
• Ethernet ports: 5× Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbps)
• SFP cage: 1× 1.25 Gbps (SFP module not included)
• PoE out: Passive PoE on port 5 (same voltage as input — passive only)
• PoE in: Passive PoE on port 1
• RouterOS: Level 4 (pre-installed, lifetime updates included)
• IPsec hardware acceleration: ~470 Mbps
• USB: 1× USB 2.0 (3G/4G modem, storage)
• microSD: 1× slot (Dude server, file storage)
• Power: DC jack 8–30V or passive PoE-in | Max ~10W
• Power adapter: Included
• Extras: PCB temp monitor, voltage monitor, mode button, beeper
• Dimensions: 113 × 89 × 28 mm
• Operating temp: −40°C to +70°C
• Architecture: MMIPS

Proudly sold by the Ringwood Digital Store.

The hEX PoE’s standout characteristic versus the hEX and hEX S is multi-port PoE output. Ports 2–5 can power other PoE-capable devices at the same voltage as applied to the unit, with a maximum of 1A per port and shielded Ethernet connectors throughout. In a small office or remote site, this eliminates the need for a separate PoE switch or individual PoE injectors — the router itself powers the access point, IP camera, IP phone, or VoIP adapter directly over Ethernet.

Passive and 802.3af/at PoE — Voltage Matters

PoE behaviour depends on input voltage, and this is the most important thing to understand before purchasing:

The unit supports passive PoE input and passive or 802.3af/at PoE output on ports 2–5. It can power 802.3af/at mode B (pins 4,5+; 7,8−) compatible devices if 48–57V DC input voltage is used. The included power adapter is 24V — at 24V input, ports 2–5 output 24V passive PoE, which works with MikroTik access points and other passive PoE devices rated for that voltage. To power standard 802.3af/at devices, a separate 48V power supply is required (sold separately).

The unit provides a maximum current of 450mA per port regardless of device power class and does not support PoE powered device classification. Maximum total PoE output budget is 2A across all four ports.

802.3af/at requires a 48V power supply — not included. The included 24V adapter enables passive PoE only. If you need to power standard PoE access points or cameras, source a 48V DC supply separately. Never connect a device expecting 48V passive PoE to a port driven by a 24V supply.

SFP Cage and USB

A 1.25 Gbps SFP cage and a USB 2.0 port are included, matching the hEX S on both counts. The SFP port accepts standard SFP modules for fibre uplinks, media conversion, or SFP-to-RJ45 copper modules. The USB port supports 3G/4G LTE modems for WAN failover, or USB storage for configuration backups and logging.

CPU and RAM — Different from the hEX/hEX S

Unlike the hEX (RB750Gr3) and hEX S (RB760iGS) which run the MT7621A dual-core MMIPS at 880 MHz with 256 MB RAM, the hEX PoE uses a QCA9557 single-core MIPSBE CPU at 800 MHz with 128 MB RAM. This is the same architecture as the hEX lite (RB750r2) but at a higher clock, with the trade-off being that the hEX PoE lacks the hardware IPsec acceleration and higher RAM of the MT7621A-based siblings. For most small office deployments — routing, firewall, NAT, VLAN, VPN pass-through — this is not a practical limitation. If IPsec VPN throughput is a priority, the hEX S is the better choice.

Power Input Range

The DC jack accepts 12–57V input, with a maximum power consumption of 54W (including PoE-powered devices) and 6W without attachments. The wide input voltage range gives deployment flexibility — 12V, 24V, or 48V DC depending on what PoE output standard you need.

RouterOS L4

RouterOS Level 4 is pre-installed with lifetime free updates. The full feature set covers static and dynamic routing (OSPF, BGP, RIPv2), firewall with connection tracking, NAT, VLAN, bridge, bonding, IPsec, OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP, SSTP, MPLS, bandwidth queuing, hotspot, scripting, DHCP server/client/relay, DNS cache, and PPPoE client/server — exactly the same licence as the rest of the hEX family.

Key Highlights

• CPU: QCA9557 single-core MIPSBE @ 800 MHz
• RAM: 128 MB | Storage: 16 MB flash
• Ethernet ports: 5× Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbps) | Shielded
• PoE out: Ports 2–5 | 1A max per port | 2A max total | Passive or 802.3af/at (48V input required for 802.3af/at)
• PoE in: Passive PoE on port 1 | DC jack 12–57V
• SFP cage: 1× 1.25 Gbps (SFP module not included)
• USB: 1× USB 2.0
• RouterOS: Level 4 (pre-installed, lifetime updates)
• IPsec hardware acceleration: Not supported on this CPU
• Power: 24V/2.5A DC adapter (included) | Max 54W (with PoE devices) / 6W (standalone)
• Extras: PCB temp monitor, voltage monitor
• Dimensions: 113 × 89 × 28 mm
• Operating temp: −40°C to 60°C
• Architecture: MIPSBE

Proudly sold by the Ringwood Digital Store.

The RB960PGS-PB (PowerBox Pro) and RB960PGS (hEX PoE) share identical hardware: same QCA9557 CPU, same RAM, same port layout, same RouterOS licence. The PowerBox Pro is an outdoor five Gigabit Ethernet port router with PoE output on four ports, featuring a weatherproof outdoor case for mounting on a tower or in other outdoor locations. If you need the hEX PoE’s functionality at a remote site, on a comms tower, under a rooftop overhang, or on an external wall exposed to the elements, the RB960PGS-PB is the appropriate unit. The standard hEX PoE (RB960PGS) is the indoor plastic desktop unit.

Five Gigabit Ports with Four PoE Outputs

Ethernet ports 2–5 can power other PoE-capable devices at the same voltage as applied to the unit, with passive or 802.3af/at PoE output supported. It can power 802.3at and 802.3af mode B compatible devices if 48–57V DC input voltage is used. Maximum current is 1A per port, with shielded Ethernet connectors throughout. This makes the PowerBox Pro well suited for powering outdoor wireless access points, IP cameras, and other PoE devices co-located on a mast or rooftop — eliminating the need for separate injectors at each device.

Passive PoE at 24V input; 802.3af/at requires 48–57V input. The same PoE voltage caveat applies as the indoor hEX PoE: at the default 24V input voltage, ports 2–5 output 24V passive PoE. Standard 802.3af/at devices require a 48V supply (sourced separately). Maximum 450 mA per port, no PoE device class negotiation.

SFP Cage for Fibre Uplink

The device has an SFP port for adding optical fibre connectivity — essential for outdoor deployments where the uplink from the tower or remote site runs over fibre. The SFP cage accepts standard 1.25 Gbps SFP modules (module not included).

Outdoor Form Factor and Power

Dimensions are 125 × 52 × 225 mm — a notably different form factor from the squat 113 × 89 × 28 mm desktop footprint of the indoor hEX PoE, shaped for pole or wall mounting. Input voltage range is 12–57V DC, with the same 54W maximum power consumption (including PoE outputs) and 6W standalone. The wide voltage range accommodates solar power systems, 48V DC telco supplies, and standard 24V passive PoE injection for powering the unit itself.

RouterOS L4 — Full Feature Set

RouterOS Level 4 is pre-installed with lifetime free software updates, covering static and dynamic routing (OSPF, BGP, RIPv2), firewall with connection tracking, NAT, VLAN (802.1Q), bridge, bonding, IPsec, OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP, SSTP, MPLS, bandwidth queuing, hotspot, scripting, DHCP, DNS, PPPoE, and more. The full RouterOS feature set is identical to the indoor hEX PoE.

Key Highlights

• Enclosure: Outdoor weatherproof — pole/tower/wall mountable
• CPU: QCA9557 single-core MIPSBE @ 800 MHz
• RAM: 128 MB | Storage: 16 MB flash
• Ethernet ports: 5× Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbps) | Shielded
• PoE out: Ports 2–5 | 1A max per port | 2A max total | Passive or 802.3af/at (48–57V input required for 802.3af/at)
• PoE in: Passive PoE on port 1 | DC jack 12–57V
• SFP cage: 1× 1.25 Gbps (SFP module not included)
• USB: No USB port (unlike the indoor hEX PoE)
• RouterOS: Level 4 (pre-installed, lifetime updates)
• IPsec hardware acceleration: Not supported on this CPU
• Power: DC jack 12–57V | Max 54W (with PoE devices) / 6W standalone
• Dimensions: 125 × 52 × 225 mm
• Operating temp: −40°C to 60°C
• Architecture: MIPSBE

Proudly sold by the Ringwood Digital Store.