Setting Up MikroTik Router As A VPN Gateway Step-by-Step Tutorial

Mikrotik Router

Are you looking for an advanced routing solution for your network? Look no further than Mikrotik! In this tutorial, we will show you how to set up a Mikrotik router as your gateway to the internet.

Details

Before we start, let's take a brief look at what Mikrotik is all about. Mikrotik is a Latvian company that produces network routers and other network equipment that is ideal for small and medium businesses. Their routers provide advanced routing, hotspot, firewall, MPLS, VPN, and more.

Now, let's dive into the details of setting up your Mikrotik router as your gateway to the internet.

Tips

Here are some tips to keep in mind when setting up your Mikrotik router:

Make sure to have all necessary hardware and cabling ready before starting the setup process.
It's always a good idea to update your Mikrotik router to the latest firmware version.
Configure all of the network interfaces and firewall rules before allowing the router to be accessible from the internet.

Setting up the Mikrotik Router

First, we need to access the Mikrotik router configuration page. Open your web browser and type in the IP address of your router, then log in with your credentials.

Once logged in, navigate to the "IP" tab and select "Addresses". Here, we will configure the IP addresses for the router's interfaces. To do this, click on the "Add New" button and enter the details for each interface.

Next, navigate to the "Firewall" tab and select "NAT". Here, we will create a new NAT rule to allow traffic from the WAN interface to be forwarded to the LAN interface. To create a new NAT rule, click on the "Add New" button and enter the following details:

Chain: dstnat
Protocol: tcp
Dst. Address: the public IP address of the router
Dst. Port: 80
Action: redirect
To Ports: 8080

After the new NAT rule is created, navigate to the "IP" tab and select "Hotspot". Here, we will create a new hotspot configuration. To create a new configuration, click on the "Add New" button and enter the following details:

Hotspot Interface: the name of the interface that will be used for the hotspot
Address Pool: the pool of IP addresses that will be used for the hotspot clients
Profile: the profile that will be used for the hotspot

Now, navigate to the "IP" tab and select "Firewall". Here, we will add a new firewall rule to allow traffic from the hotspot clients to be forwarded to the internet. To create a new firewall rule, click on the "Add New" button and enter the following details:

Chain: forward
Src. Address: the address pool that was created in the previous step
Action: accept

Lastly, navigate to the "IP" tab and select "Routes". Here, we will create a new route to the internet. To create a new route, click on the "Add New" button and enter the following details:

Dst. Address: 0.0.0.0/0
Gateway: the default gateway of your internet connection
Distance: 1

After the setup process is complete, your Mikrotik router should now be configured as your gateway to the internet.

FAQ

Q: Can I use a Mikrotik router for home use?

A: Yes, Mikrotik routers are ideal for home use as well as small and medium sized businesses.

Q: Do I need to update my Mikrotik router's firmware?

A: It's always a good idea to update your router's firmware to the latest version for security and bug fixes.

Q: Is it difficult to set up a Mikrotik router?

A: Setting up a Mikrotik router requires some technical knowledge, but it is not overly difficult with proper guidance.

Q: Can I configure my Mikrotik router remotely?

A: Yes, you can configure your Mikrotik router remotely using the web interface or a command-line interface.

With these tips and detailed instructions, you should be able to set up your Mikrotik router as your gateway to the internet with ease. Happy routing!