Advanced Proxy Server Features For MikroTik Routers

Welcome to our latest tutorial about MikroTik Web Proxy Server! In this post, we will guide you through setting up a web proxy server on your internal network using MikroTik RouterOS. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a fully functional web proxy server that will enable you to optimize your internet usage.

What is a Web Proxy Server?

A web proxy server is a server that sits between a client, such as a web browser, and the internet. When a client requests a web page, the request is first sent to the proxy server, which then retrieves the page on behalf of the client. The retrieved page is then sent back to the client. A web proxy server can be used to increase security, performance, and privacy by caching frequently accessed content, filtering malicious content, and concealing the client's IP address.

Why use MikroTik Web Proxy Server?

There are many web proxy servers available, but MikroTik RouterOS provides additional benefits over other options:

Flexibility: MikroTik RouterOS is a powerful operating system that allows you to configure your web proxy server to suit your needs.
Stability: MikroTik RouterOS has a proven track record as a reliable and stable operating system.
Compatibility: MikroTik RouterOS works with a wide range of hardware, including embedded devices, making it an ideal solution for small businesses or home networks.

Setting up MikroTik Web Proxy Server

Setting up a MikroTik web proxy server is a straightforward process that can be accomplished in just a few steps. Here is what you need to do:

Step 1 - Configure DNS Settings

Before you can start setting up your web proxy server, you need to configure your DNS settings to ensure that your MikroTik router can resolve domain names. To do this, follow these steps:

Open the Winbox application and log in to your MikroTik router.
Click on IP > DNS in the left-hand menu.
Click the Add (+) button to add a new DNS entry.
In the Name field, enter a domain name that you want to resolve, such as "google.com".
In the Address field, enter the IP address of a DNS server that your router can use to resolve the domain name.
Click the OK button to save the new DNS entry.
Repeat steps 3 to 6 for any additional DNS entries that you want to add.

Step 2 - Configure Web Proxy Server

Now that you have configured your DNS settings, you can start configuring your web proxy server. Here is what you need to do:

Click on IP > Web Proxy in the left-hand menu.
Click the Enable checkbox to enable the web proxy server.
In the Port field, enter a port number that the web proxy server will listen on. The default is 8080.
Click the Apply button to save the changes.

Step 3 - Configure Access to the Web Proxy Server

By default, the web proxy server only allows traffic from your internal network. To allow external traffic to access the web proxy server, you need to add an access rule. Here is what you need to do:

Click on IP > Web Proxy > Access in the left-hand menu.
Click the Add (+) button to add a new access rule.
In the Src. Address field, enter the IP address range that you want to allow access from. For example, 192.168.1.0/24 for a network with IP addresses ranging from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254.
In the Dst. Address field, enter the IP address range that the web proxy server will listen on. For example, 0.0.0.0/0 to allow access from any IP address.
Click the Apply button to save the access rule.

Step 4 - Configure DNS Redirect

Now that you have set up your web proxy server, you need to configure a DNS redirect to ensure that all HTTP traffic is directed to the web proxy server. Here is what you need to do:

Click on IP > DNS in the left-hand menu.
Click the Settings button.
Check the box next to Allow Remote Requests.
In the Name field, enter a domain name that you want to redirect, such as "www.google.com".
In the Data field, enter the IP address of the web proxy server.
Click the Apply button to save the DNS redirect.
Repeat steps 4 to 6 for any additional DNS redirects that you want to add.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you should now have a fully functional MikroTik web proxy server on your internal network. Using a web proxy server can help to optimize your internet usage by caching frequently accessed content, filtering malicious content, and concealing your IP address.

We hope that you found this tutorial helpful, and be sure to check out our other posts for more great tips and tutorials!