MikroTik Router VPN Site-to-Site Connectivity With IPsec And GRE Tunnels
When it comes to networking, one of the most common needs is establishing secure connections between two remote networks. This is typically done using a technology called VPN (Virtual Private Network). In this article, we will look at the process of setting up an IPIP tunnel with IPsec (Site to Site VPN) on a MikroTik device.
Before proceeding with the setup, it's important to have a basic understanding of what an IPIP tunnel is. IPIP (IP-IP Encapsulation Protocol) is a simple protocol used to encapsulate IP packets within IP packets. This is often used to create a virtual tunnel between two networks. IPsec (Internet Protocol Security), on the other hand, is a suite of protocols used to secure Internet Protocol (IP) communications by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet of a communication session.
Step 1: Configuring the IP Addresses
The first step in setting up the IPIP tunnel with IPsec is to configure the IP addresses of the devices involved in the connection. This step is essential because it ensures that the devices can communicate with each other before the tunnel is established.
On the MikroTik device that will be the server, navigate to the IP > Addresses menu and add the local IP address for this device. For this example, we will use the IP address 192.168.1.1/24.
Next, on the MikroTik device that will be the client, navigate to the same menu and add the local IP address for this device. For this example, we will use the IP address 192.168.2.1/24.
Step 2: Creating the IPIP Tunnel
With the IP addresses configured, the next step is to create the IPIP tunnel. This is done by navigating to the IP > Tunnel menu and selecting the IPIP option. In the new window that opens, set the local and remote addresses for the tunnel.
For the local address, select the IP address of the MikroTik device that will be the server (192.168.1.1). For the remote address, enter the IP address of the MikroTik device that will be the client (192.168.2.1).
Once you have entered these details, click on the Apply button to create the tunnel. You should now see the new IPIP tunnel listed in the IP > Tunnel menu.
Step 3: Configuring the IPsec Peers
With the tunnel in place, the next step is to configure the IPsec peers. This is done by navigating to IP > IPsec > Peers in the menu.
To create a new peer, click on the + button. In the new window that opens, enter a name for the peer in the Name field. For this example, we will use the name Client1.
Next, enter the remote IP address in the Address field. For this example, we will use the IP address of the MikroTik device that will be the client (192.168.2.1).
In the Auth tab, select the Pre-Shared Key authentication method and enter a secret key. This key will be used to authenticate the connection between the two peers. Make sure to use a strong and secure key.
In the Proposal tab, select the ESP encryption and authentication algorithms. For this example, we will use the aes-128-ecb encryption and hmac-sha1 authentication algorithms.
Once you have configured these settings, click on the Apply button to create the IPsec peer.
Step 4: Creating the IPsec Policies
The next step in setting up the IPIP tunnel with IPsec is to create the IPsec policies. This is done by navigating to IP > IPsec > Policies in the menu.
To create a new policy, click on the + button. In the new window that opens, enter a name for the policy in the Name field. For this example, we will use the name Client1.
Next, enter the local IP address in the Src. Address field. For this example, we will use the IP address of the MikroTik device that will be the server (192.168.1.1).
In the Dst. Address field, enter the remote IP address of the IPsec peer (192.168.2.1).
In the Protocol field, select ipsec.
In the Action tab, select the Encrypt option and choose the IPsec peer you created in Step 3 (Client1).
Once you have configured these settings, click on the Apply button to create the IPsec policy.
Step 5: Testing the Connection
With the IPIP tunnel and IPsec connection in place, the final step is to test the connection to ensure that everything is working as expected. To test the connection, you can use the ping command to send a message from one device to the other.
On the MikroTik device that will be the server (192.168.1.1), open a terminal and enter the following command: ping 192.168.2.1. If the connection is successful, you should see a response from the client device.
Similarly, on the MikroTik device that will be the client (192.168.2.1), open a terminal and enter the following command: ping 192.168.1.1. Once again, if the connection is successful, you should see a response from the server device.
Conclusion
Establishing a secure connection between two remote networks is essential in today's world of interconnected devices. The process of setting up an IPIP tunnel with IPsec on a MikroTik device may seem daunting at first, but it is essential to ensure the security and privacy of your data.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can establish a secure Site to Site VPN connection using MikroTik devices. Remember to use strong and secure authentication keys and encryption algorithms, and always test the connection before putting it into production.
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