A Refined Web Interface

The interface has undergone a notable metamorphosis. Colours are more subdued; layouts more intuitive. Keyboard navigation and screen-reader support have seen considerable enhancement. Users can now reach nearly any configuration menu with ease, aided by a new universal search bar.

Device‑Mode: A New Dimension

A novel “device‑mode” setting debuts, allowing profile-based control over core functions - CPU frequency, partition resizing, and RouterBOARD feature upgrades. Devices can now operate in “advanced” mode or scale down to lighter configurations. A powerful tool for administrators, but caution is advised - changes can lock out critical capabilities post-upgrade.

Enhanced Switch & Bonding Offload

Active‑backup bonding and switch‑rule features receive hardware off‑load support on a range of CRS and CCR systems, as well as RB5009. Traffic processing becomes significantly more efficient. Switch ACLs can now omit specific ports - more flexibility in managing ingress and egress flows.

Wi‑Fi & Bluetooth Gains

Across wireless interfaces, multiple passwords, station‑roaming, super‑channel support, and registration‑table enhancements provide richer wireless management. Additionally, USB Bluetooth Low Energy adapters are now compatible - enabling novel use cases involving proximity-aware automation.

Infrastructure Refinements

Bridge VLAN‑lists, IPv6 fast‑path on DHCP‑snooping, and hot‑fixes to common SMB, disk, and HotSpot bugs improve stability. Factory updates are less disruptive, though some users report quirks in bridge MAC behaviour and DHCP‑client reassignment post‑upgrade.

Final Verdict

RouterOS 7.17 is a substantial evolution - ushering in a polished GUI, more flexible device profiles, and hardware-accelerated switching capabilities. Its new wireless and Bluetooth features widen the ecosystem. However, the breadth of change introduces configuration risks and requires diligence pre-upgrade. With 7.17.2 now addressing many teething pains, the release offers a balanced blend of innovation and resilience.

For those confident in rollback strategies and anticipating the trade-offs, it marks a powerful leap forward. Others may prefer to await further validation before committing.