Simplified MikroTik Router VLAN Configuration

Have you ever heard of VLAN and bridge configuration on MikroTik? Well, it may sound complicated, but it is actually quite simple to understand if you follow the right steps. In this post, I will explain to you in detail how to configure VLAN and bridge on your MikroTik router.

What is VLAN and Bridge Configuration?

Before we begin with the configuration, let us first understand what VLAN and bridge configuration is. VLAN stands for Virtual Local Area Network, which is a technique used to create separate logical networks within a physical network. This technique helps in better network management and security. On the other hand, bridge configuration is a method used to connect two or more network segments together to create a single logical network. Bridge configuration can also help in improving network performance by reducing network congestion. Now that we have understood the basics of VLAN and bridge configuration, let us move on to the configuration steps.

Step 1: Create VLAN Interfaces

The first step in configuring VLAN and bridge on MikroTik is to create VLAN interfaces. To create VLAN interfaces, follow the steps below:

Open Winbox and log in to your MikroTik router.
Go to the “Interfaces” menu and click on the “+” button to add a new interface.
Select the “VLAN” option from the “New Interface” window.
Now, enter the VLAN ID in the “VLAN ID” field. You can choose any VLAN ID between 1 and 4095.
Next, select the parent interface over which the VLAN will be created.
Click the “Apply” button to save the changes.

Step 2: Create Bridge Interfaces

The second step in configuring VLAN and bridge on MikroTik is to create bridge interfaces. To create bridge interfaces, follow the steps below:

Go to the “Bridge” menu under “Interfaces”.
Click on the “+” button to create a new bridge.
Enter a name for the bridge in the “Name” field.
Under the “Ports” tab, add the VLAN interfaces created in the previous step to the bridge by clicking on the “+” button.
Click the “OK” button to save the settings.

Step 3: Assign IP Addresses

The third step in configuring VLAN and bridge on MikroTik is to assign IP addresses to the bridge interface. To assign IP addresses to the bridge interface, follow the steps below:

Go to the “IP” menu and select the “Addresses” submenu.
Click on the “+” button to add a new IP address.
Select the bridge interface from the “Interface” drop-down list.
Enter the IP address and subnet mask in the respective fields.
Click the “Apply” button to save the settings

Step 4: Configure VLAN and Bridge Firewall Rules

The fourth step in configuring VLAN and bridge on MikroTik is to configure firewall rules. Firewall rules are used to control the traffic flow between the VLANs and bridge interface. To configure firewall rules, follow the steps below:

Go to “IP” menu and select the “Firewall” submenu.
Click on the “+” button to add a new firewall rule.
Under the “General” tab, enter a name for the firewall rule in the “Name” field.
Select the appropriate action for the firewall rule under the “Action” tab.
Under the “Advanced” tab, select the VLAN interface and bridge interface from the “In Interface” and “Out Interface” fields, respectively.
Click the “Apply” button to save the firewall rule.

Step 5: Test the Configuration

The final step in configuring VLAN and bridge on MikroTik is to test the configuration. To test the configuration, follow the steps below:

Connect a device to each VLAN and bridge interface.
Configure the IP address and subnet mask for each device according to the VLAN and bridge configuration.
Try to ping a device from one VLAN to another VLAN. If the ping is successful, then the VLAN and bridge configuration is working correctly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, VLAN and bridge configuration is a technique used to create separate logical networks within a physical network and connect two or more network segments together to create a single logical network. Configuring VLAN and bridge on MikroTik may seem daunting, but if you follow the steps mentioned above, it can be done with ease. At the end of the day, proper VLAN and bridge configuration can help in better network management, security, and performance. So, try it out and let us know in the comments below if you face any issues.