Setting Up Guest Wi-Fi Networks With MikroTik Router A How-To

Have you ever had guests over at your house and wanted to provide them with a separate Wi-Fi network? It can be a hassle to share your main network password and worry about them accessing your personal files. But don't worry, with Mikrotik AP you can easily set up a guest Wi-Fi network that keeps your personal network safe.

Mikrotik AP is a powerful router that has the capability of creating multiple Wi-Fi networks, also known as SSIDs. In this post, we will guide you how to set up a guest Wi-Fi network on Mikrotik AP.

How to set up Guest Wi-Fi in Mikrotik AP:

Follow these easy steps for setting up a guest Wi-Fi network on Mikrotik AP:

Step 1: Logging In

First, log in to your Mikrotik router with your admin credentials. After logging in, you will see the RouterOS interface.

Step 2: Adding a new SSID

Now that you're in the RouterOS interface, it's time to add a new SSID for your guest network. Click on the "Wireless" tab located on the left side of the screen. You will see a list of your existing wireless networks. Click on the "Add New" button to create a new SSID.

Enter a name for your new SSID. In the "Band" section, select the frequency for your new network. You could use the same frequency as your main network, but we recommend using a different frequency to avoid interference. Under the "Mode" section, select "ap-bridge" and then click on "OK".

Step 3: Creating a Virtual Access Point

After adding a new SSID, we need to create a virtual access point. To do this, click on the "Interfaces" tab located on the left side of the screen. Click on the "Add New" button to create a new interface.

Select "Virtual AP" as the interface type and enter a name for your virtual access point. Under the "Wireless" tab, select the SSID you created in Step 2. Set the "WPA/WPA2" security profile as "none" for the guest network. Scroll down and click "OK".

Step 4: Setting up DHCP Server

Now that you've added the new SSID and created a virtual access point, it's time to set up a DHCP server for your guest network. Click on the "IP" tab located on the left side of the screen and select "DHCP Server".

Click on the "Add New" button to create a new DHCP server. In the "Name" field, give a name to your DHCP server. Under the "Lease Time" section, you can set the time duration for the guest network. We recommend keeping it short, like 1-2 hours. Under the "Network" section, add the subnet for the guest network. Then enable the DHCP server, save the settings, and then click on "OK".

Step 5: Firewall Rules

For added security, we need to create a firewall rule to restrict internet access for the guest network to only browsing. Click on the "IP" tab on the left side of the screen and select "Firewall". Then click on the "Filter Rules" tab and select "Add New".

Enter a name for your new firewall rule and select the "Forward" chain. Under the "Action" section, select the "accept" option. Scroll down and click on the "Extra" tab. Set the "Protocol" section to "tcp" and the "DST. Port" section to "80,443". Finally, click on "OK".

With these simple steps, you've successfully set up a guest Wi-Fi network on your Mikrotik AP!

Benefits of setting up a Guest Wi-Fi network:

Now that you know how to set up a guest Wi-Fi network on Mikrotik AP, here are some of the benefits of creating one:

1. Added Security:

Guest Wi-Fi networks are essential for keeping your personal network safe. By creating a separate SSID and virtual access point, guests won't be able to access your personal files or interfere with your main network. Additionally, with the firewall rule we created above, guests will only be able to browse the internet on their devices.

2. Easy to set up:

The Mikrotik AP provides an easy interface for setting up a guest Wi-Fi network. With just a few clicks, you can have a separate network up and running.

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3. Control:

A guest Wi-Fi network allows you to have control over who can access your network. If you have neighbors or visitors who frequently visit your home, you can give them access to the guest network without sharing your main password.

4. Speed:

With a separate guest network, you can ensure that your main network speed is not slowed down by multiple devices. Guests can use the guest network to stream movies, browse the internet, or check their emails without any interruption to your main network speed.

5. Professionalism:

If you work from home, having a guest network can give a professional look to your setup. Instead of sharing your personal Wi-Fi network with your clients or colleagues, you can provide them with a separate network boosting your work game.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, if you frequently have guests or visitors over to your home, setting up a guest Wi-Fi network is essential. With Mikrotik AP, it's easy to set up a secure and separate network for your guests, giving you peace of mind without compromising your personal network security.

So, what are you waiting for? Follow the steps above to create a guest Wi-Fi network on your Mikrotik AP and enjoy the benefits of added security and control!