Exploring MikroTik Router Proxy Load Balancing

If you are running a business in today's digital landscape, then you understand the importance of having stable and reliable internet connectivity. Having a single connection from one Internet Service Provider (ISP) may not be sufficient, especially during peak hours when there is a high demand for bandwidth. This is where load balancing comes in, a method that distributes network traffic across multiple internet connections to avoid congestion. By implementing load balancing, you can improve network uptime, minimize downtime, and ultimately enhance your business productivity. In this post, we will discuss how to set up load balancing with two ISPs on a Mikrotik router.

Step 1: Connect the Mikrotik Router to the Modems

The first step in setting up load balancing with two ISPs on a Mikrotik router is to connect the router to both modems. You can do this by using the wan1 port on the router to connect to the first modem and the wan2 port to connect to the second modem. Make sure that you secure the connection with a password to prevent unauthorized access. Once the modems are connected, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Define IP Addresses for the Network Interfaces

The next step is to define the IP addresses for the network interfaces. You can do this by accessing the Mikrotik router web interface and going to the IP section. Here, you will find the option to define the IP addresses for the network interfaces. Assign a unique IP address to each interface, such as 192.168.1.1 for the wan1 interface and 192.168.2.1 for the wan2 interface. These IP addresses are used to route network traffic to the appropriate interfaces.

Step 3: Configure the Load Balancing Algorithm

The Mikrotik router supports several load balancing algorithms, each with its own characteristics and benefits. You can choose the algorithm that best suits your needs by going to the IP>Firewall section of the web interface and selecting the Load Balancing tab. Here, you can choose the algorithm you want to use and configure its settings. The most common algorithms are:

Round Robin: This algorithm distributes the traffic equally across all available connections.
Least Connections: This algorithm directs new connections to the interface with the least amount of active connections.
Random: This algorithm randomly distributes traffic across all available connections.

Choose the algorithm that works best for your network and configure its settings accordingly.

Step 4: Configure the Load Balancing Interface

The next step is to configure the load balancing interface. Go to the Interfaces section of the web interface and select the Load Balancing tab. Here, you can define the rules that govern the distribution of traffic across the two interfaces. You can prioritize certain types of traffic, assign weight to each interface, or set a threshold for the bandwidth usage before switching to the other interface.

Step 5: Monitor the Load Balancing Performance

Once you have configured the load balancing with two ISPs on your Mikrotik router, you can monitor its performance by going to the Tools section of the web interface and selecting the Graphing tab. Here, you can view graphs and statistics on the traffic distribution, bandwidth usage, and interface performance. You can use this data to optimize your load balancing configuration and troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Conclusion

Load balancing with two ISPs on a Mikrotik router is an effective way to improve your network performance and ensure reliable internet connectivity for your business. By following these simple steps, you can set up load balancing on your Mikrotik router and enjoy the benefits of improved productivity and reduced downtime. Remember to monitor your configuration regularly and make adjustments as needed. If you need further assistance, consult your IT provider or the Mikrotik documentation.