Understanding VPN Tunneling Protocols On MikroTik Routers
Have you ever needed to connect two remote networks in a secure way? If yes, then you might want to consider setting up a site-to-site VPN tunnel. It provides a secure connection between two networks and allows for seamless communication, just as if they were on the same local network. In this post, we will go through the steps required to configure a site-to-site VPN tunnel using MikrotikRouter and IPSec.
What is IPSec?
IPSec stands for Internet Protocol Security and is a set of protocols used to authenticate and encrypt IP packets. It provides secure communication between two devices and prevents unauthorized access and data interception. Using IPSec, we can create a secure tunnel between two networks and protect the data that travels through it.
Step 1: Define the Local and Remote Networks
The first step in setting up a site-to-site VPN tunnel is to define the local and remote networks that will be connected. For example, if we have two networks, one with an IP range of 192.168.1.0/24 and the other with 192.168.2.0/24, we need to define these two networks in the MikrotikRouter configuration.
To do this, go to IP > Addresses and add two new addresses, one for the local and one for the remote network. In our case, we would add 192.168.1.1/24 as the local address and 192.168.2.1/24 as the remote address. Make sure to assign the correct interface to each address.
Step 2: Create the IPSec Proposal
The next step is to create an IPSec proposal. This defines the encryption algorithm, hash algorithm, and other parameters that will be used to secure the tunnel. To create the proposal, go to IP > IPSec > Proposals and click on the + button to add a new proposal.
In the window that opens, give the proposal a name, select the encryption algorithm, hash algorithm, and other parameters as required. Make sure to select the same proposal on both the local and remote MikrotikRouter.
Step 3: Create the IPSec Policy
The IPSec policy defines how to secure the traffic that passes through the tunnel. To create the policy, go to IP > IPSec > Policies and click on the + button to add a new policy.
In the window that opens, give the policy a name, select the local and remote address from the drop-down menus, and select the IPSec proposal that we created earlier. Make sure to select the same policy on both the local and remote MikrotikRouter.
Also, make sure to add any additional requirements, such as NAT/BINAT rules or IPsec peer identity. These should also be configured on both MikrotikRouter.
Step 4: Configure the IPSec Peer
The IPSec peer defines the remote MikrotikRouter that we want to connect to. To configure the peer, go to IP > IPSec > Peers and click on the + button to add a new peer.
In the window that opens, give the peer a name, enter the remote public IP address, and select the policy that we created earlier. Make sure to select the same peer configuration on both the local and remote MikrotikRouter.
Step 5: Create the NAT and Firewall Rules
After configuring the IPSec peer, we need to create the NAT and firewall rules to allow traffic to pass through the tunnel. To do this, go to IP > Firewall and add the following rules:
- Add a NAT rule to translate the local addresses to the remote addresses. For example:
Chain: srcnat
Action: src-nat
To Address: 192.168.2.0/24
- Add a firewall rule to allow the IPSec traffic. For example:
Chain: input
Protocol: 50 (ESP)
Action: accept
Step 6: Test the Connection
After completing all the steps, we need to test the connection to ensure that the site-to-site VPN tunnel is working as expected. To do this, ping a device on the remote network from a device on the local network, and vice versa. If the ping is successful, then the connection is working correctly and the two networks are securely connected.
Conclusion
In conclusion, setting up a site-to-site VPN tunnel using MikrotikRouter and IPSec is a beneficial way to connect two remote networks securely. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can create a secure connection between two devices and protect your data from unauthorized access and interception.
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