Configuring MikroTik Router As A VPN Client Step-by-Step Tutorial

VPN Configuration with MikroTik Router: A Comprehensive Guide Virtual Private Network or VPN technology is widely used in organizations and individuals to ensure secure and private communication over the internet. A MikroTik Router is a popular and cost-effective router that can be used to create a VPN solution. In this guide, we will explain in detail how to configure a VPN with a MikroTik Router. Before we dive into the configuration process, it is important to understand the fundamentals of VPN technology. VPN allows you to create a secure connection between two devices over an insecure (public) network such as the Internet. Any data transmitted between the two devices is encrypted, preventing anyone else from intercepting and accessing it. VPN can be used for different purposes, such as accessing a company's private network from home, providing remote access to employees, connecting multiple offices in different locations, or simply enhancing the security and privacy of your internet connection. Now, let's move on to the configuration process. 1. Connect to the MikroTik Router First, you need to connect to the MikroTik Router using a web browser. To do this, open your web browser and type the IP address of the router in the address bar. The default IP address of a MikroTik Router is 192.168.88.1. Enter your username and password when prompted. If you haven't changed the default credentials, the username is admin and the password is blank. 2. Set up the VPN Server The first step in configuring a VPN with a MikroTik Router is to set up the VPN server. To do this, go to the IP tab in the left-hand menu and select the VPN sub-menu. Click on the Add button to create a new VPN configuration. In the new window, select the L2TP Server option and provide a name for your VPN configuration. You can leave the other options as default or configure them according to your requirements. Next, enter a range of IP addresses that will be used for the VPN clients. This range should be different from the IP address range of your local network. Click on the Apply button to save the configuration. 3. Create a VPN User Once the VPN server is set up, you need to create a user account that will be used to connect to the VPN. To do this, click on the PPP sub-menu in the left-hand menu and select the Secrets tab. Click on the Add button to create a new user. In the new window, enter a name for the user and a strong password. This user will be used to authenticate the VPN connection. Select the service "l2tp" and set the remote IP address to the IP address range of your VPN server. Click on the Apply button to save the user account. 4. Configure the Firewall The next step is to configure the firewall to allow VPN connections. Go to the IP tab in the left-hand menu and select the Firewall sub-menu. Click on the Filter Rules tab and then click on the Add button to create a new filter rule. In the new window, enter a name for the filter rule and select the Chain input. Set the Protocol to L2TP and the Dst. Port to 1701. Set the Action to Accept. Click on the Apply button to create the filter rule. 5. Configure the NAT To allow VPN clients to access the internet and other resources on the local network, you need to configure the NAT (Network Address Translation) rule. Go to the IP tab in the left-hand menu and select the Firewall sub-menu. Click on the NAT tab and then click on the Add button to create a new NAT rule. In the new window, enter a name for the NAT rule and select the Chain srcnat. Set the Out. Interface to your internet connection, and the Action to Masquerade. Click on the Apply button to create the NAT rule. 6. Configure the VPN Client Now that the VPN server is set up and the firewall and NAT are configured, you can connect to the VPN from a client device. To do this, you need to configure the VPN client. On a Windows PC, open the Network and Sharing Center and click on Set up a new connection or network. Select Connect to a workplace and click on Next. Enter the IP address of the MikroTik Router, the username and password of the VPN user you created earlier, and click on Connect. 7. Test the VPN Connection Finally, it is essential to test the VPN connection to ensure it is configured correctly and working correctly. Connect to the VPN from a client device and verify that you can access resources on the local network and the internet. In conclusion, setting up a VPN with a MikroTik Router is a straightforward process, even for those with little technical knowledge. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a secure and private communication channel between your devices. VPNs are an essential tool in today's world to ensure that your online activities are private and secure. Mikrotik Vpn Howto - Howto Techno