Routers; Routers and (yes) Routers

The Mikrotik RB2011IL-RM Router 

I have recently had a few questions about this subject and was asked to recommend a suitable Router for MOTOTRBO.

To my knowledge, the only Router to undergo formal testing by Motorola's engineering team was the MSR20-20 from HP. The trouble with this specific model is that it only has two RJ45 ports and although the MSR20-21 could be used, it is still in the €800 price range. Also the HP MSR20-20 and MSR 20-21 have have a EAR9900NR ECCN which means certain export control regulations may apply (see http://1.usa.gov/1c0nUPC and http://bit.ly/O2zlRK). The HP MSR20 range remains my (and Motorola's) recommendation as far as Routers for MOTOTRBO are concerned.

For some unknown reason, the Netgear WNR1000, several of my colleagues and I, have used for training purposes, has become generally accepted as the "Motorola recommended Router". This is definitely not the case! The Netgear WNR1000 was chosen purely because it was cheap and the (very simple web-based) user interface was easy enough to explain how things like NAT and port numbers worked. And, at the time, it supported NAT loop-back (which we don't need anymore). I have subsequently uncovered a few flaws in this model and have confined mine to the box-of-tricks cupboard.

Upon hearing the above, the typical question is what Router can one use, which is in the same price range and the Netgear and has the same level of functionality of the HP? In the last few weeks, I have been working with the RB2011IL-RM from Mikrotik. For it's ca. €80 price tag, this is quite an impressive piece of hardware with many features. The configuration is quite daunting (to say the least) at first and I would suggest taking one of the training courses on offer before tackling what lies behind the Webfig/Winbox login.
What I also like (though I have not tested this) is that the RB2011IL can operate on 12Vdc (it is supplied with a 24V PSU) which makes it extremely useful for sites which only have DC power.

I would be interested to know which model Router you use and what system topology (i.e. IPSC; C+ or LC+ and no. of sites) it is being used on? Was it reliable and how easy was it to set up?