MikroTik Router VPN Comparing IPsec PPTP And OpenVPN Protocols

If you are looking to configure a VPN on your Mikrotik router, then look no further. In this post, we will guide you step-by-step on how to set up a PPTP VPN server on your Mikrotik router. But first, let us understand what a VPN is and why you need it.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. It secures your online activities by encrypting your data and hiding your IP address. A VPN helps you to bypass censorship, access restricted content, and hide your online activities from prying eyes. A VPN also protects you from hackers, snoopers, and other cybercriminals who may be trying to intercept your data.

Now that you know what a VPN is and why you need it, let us dive into the steps to configure a PPTP VPN server on your Mikrotik router.

Step 1: Configure the Mikrotik Router

Firstly, we need to configure the Mikrotik router with the necessary settings to set up a PPTP VPN server. To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1.1: Connect to the Mikrotik Router
Connect your computer or laptop to the Mikrotik router and log in to the router's web-based interface using your admin credentials.

Step 1.2: Configure the Router IP Address
On the RouterOS interface, click on IP > Addresses and add a new IP address for the router. Set the IP address to be one that is not already in use on the network.

Step 1.3: Configure the DHCP Server
On the RouterOS interface, click on IP > DHCP Server, and add a new DHCP server. Set the IP pool and the default gateway to the newly created IP address for the router.

Step 1.4: Configure the DNS Server
On the RouterOS interface, click on IP > DNS and set the DNS servers for your network. You can use public DNS servers such as Google DNS or OpenDNS.

Step 1.5: Configure the PPTP Server
On the RouterOS interface, click on PPP > PPTP Server and enable the PPTP server. Set the authentication mode, encryption, and other required settings.

Step 2: Set up the PPTP VPN Connection

Now that we have configured the Mikrotik router, let us proceed to set up the PPTP VPN connection on your device. To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 2.1: Open the VPN Configuration Settings
Navigate to the VPN configuration settings on your device. On Windows, this can be found on Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Set up a new connection or network.

Step 2.2: Set Up the PPTP VPN Connection
Select the option to set up a new PPTP VPN connection. Enter the IP address of the Mikrotik router, your username and password, and other required settings.

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Step 2.3: Connect to the VPN
Click on the Connect button to establish the PPTP VPN connection. You should now be able to access the internet through the VPN tunnel.

Step 3: Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter any issues when configuring or using the PPTP VPN server on your Mikrotik router, here are some troubleshooting tips to help you:

Troubleshooting Tip 1: Check the Firewall Settings
Ensure that your Mikrotik router's firewall is not blocking any traffic that is required for the PPTP VPN to function correctly. Check the firewall settings and adjust them as required.

Troubleshooting Tip 2: Update the RouterOS Firmware
Sometimes a bug in the RouterOS firmware can cause issues with the PPTP VPN server. Check for firmware updates and install them if necessary.

Troubleshooting Tip 3: Check the VPN Configuration Settings
Double-check the VPN configuration settings on the router and on your device to ensure that everything is set up correctly.

Troubleshooting Tip 4: Restart the Router
Sometimes, a simple router restart can resolve any issues with the PPTP VPN server. Restart the router and try connecting to the VPN again.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting up a PPTP VPN server on your Mikrotik router is relatively easy when you follow the steps outlined in this post. A VPN is an essential tool for online security and privacy, and using a VPN helps you to bypass censorship, access restricted content, and protect your online activities from prying eyes. We hope this post has been helpful in guiding you through the process of configuring a PPTP VPN server on your Mikrotik router.