Configuring VPN On MikroTik Routers Step-by-Step Guide

Virtual private networks (VPNs) have become an essential tool in today's digital world, providing individuals and organizations with a secure and private connection over the internet. With a VPN, you can protect yourself from cyber threats, evade censorship, and access geo-restricted content. One of the most popular VPN solutions is MikroTik, a powerful router and wireless hotspot provider that offers robust security features for remote connectivity.

In this post, we will guide you on how to set up a MikroTik VPN configuration using the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) to connect remote clients. We'll explore the benefits of using PPTP, how to configure the MikroTik router, and how to set up clients to connect to the VPN.

What is PPTP?

PPTP is a VPN protocol used to allow remote users to securely connect to a private network through the internet. It was developed by Microsoft in collaboration with several other companies, making it straightforward to set up and highly compatible. PPTP uses point-to-point tunnels to create a secure connection between the client and the server, providing privacy, encryption, and authentication.

Why use PPTP with MikroTik?

MikroTik routers support many VPN protocols, such as L2TP/IPSec, OpenVPN, and SSTP. However, PPTP is one of the easiest protocols to set up and configure, making it suitable for small to medium-sized organizations without firewall or security expertise. Additionally, PPTP has lower overhead, making it ideal for low-bandwidth connections.

Configuring the MikroTik router

The first step in setting up a MikroTik VPN configuration is to configure the router. Here's how:

Log in to the MikroTik router's web interface using a web browser and the router's IP address.
Click on the "PPP" on the menu.
Click on the "PPTP Server" on the submenu.
Enable the PPTP server by clicking on the "Enabled" checkbox, and specify the IP address range for the VPN clients.
Specify a username and password in the "Secrets" section, which will be used by the client to connect to the VPN.
Specify the DNS servers you want the VPN client to use in the "DNS Servers" section.
Click on "Apply" to save the settings.

Setting up clients to connect to the VPN

Once you have configured the router, the next step is to set up clients to connect to the VPN. Here's how:

On a Windows client, open the "Network and Sharing Center.'
Click on "Set up a new connection or network."
Select "Connect to a workplace."
Select "Use my Internet connection (VPN)."
Enter the MikroTik router's IP address in the "Internet address" field, and give the connection a name.
Enter the username and password you specified in the "Secrets" section when configuring the router.
Click on "Connect" to establish the VPN connection.

Conclusion

Setting up a MikroTik VPN configuration with PPTP is a simple and effective way to provide remote users with secure and private connectivity to your network. PPTP offers easy setup and compatibility, low overhead, and robust security features. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can quickly configure your MikroTik router and deploy the VPN to your users.

Don't leave your organization's security to chance; use MikroTik VPN with PPTP and ensure that your sensitive data and communications remain protected and private.