MikroTik Installation Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

MikroTik is a powerful and cost-effective networking solution used worldwide by ISPs, small businesses, and enterprises. This guide covers the complete installation process for RouterOS, whether you are setting it up on a physical router, a virtual machine, or a cloud-based instance. By following these steps, you will have a fully functional MikroTik system ready for configuration.

What You Will Learn

• Understanding MikroTik and RouterOS
• Downloading the installation files
• Installing MikroTik on different platforms
• Post-installation setup
• Basic security best practices

1. Understanding MikroTik

MikroTik is a Latvian company that develops networking hardware and the RouterOS operating system. RouterOS transforms a computer or dedicated device into a highly configurable router, complete with advanced features like firewall, VPN, bandwidth management, and routing protocols.

Key Benefits of MikroTik:

• Affordable yet feature-rich
• Supports multiple platforms (x86, ARM, MIPS)
• Flexible licensing
• Active community and documentation

2. Requirements Before Installation

Before installing MikroTik, you need:

• A PC, server, or MikroTik hardware device
• At least 64MB RAM and 64MB storage (for basic setups)
• Internet connection for downloading RouterOS
• Optional: Virtualization software like VMware, VirtualBox, or Hyper-V

3. Downloading RouterOS

To get started, download RouterOS from the official MikroTik website:

1. Visit MikroTik Downloads.
2. Select the architecture for your hardware (x86, ARM, CHR, etc.).
3. Download the ISO for physical/virtual installation or CHR for cloud/VM environments.

4. Installing MikroTik on a Physical Device

1. Create a bootable USB using tools like Rufus.
2. Insert the USB into the target machine.
3. Boot from USB and follow the on-screen installation wizard.
4. Select the packages you want to install (default packages are recommended for most users).
5. Confirm installation and reboot when complete.

5. Installing MikroTik in a Virtual Machine

For lab testing or virtualized environments:

1. Open VirtualBox/VMware and create a new VM.
2. Allocate at least 256MB RAM and 64MB disk space.
3. Mount the RouterOS ISO as the boot disk.
4. Start the VM and follow the installation prompts.
5. After installation, remove the ISO and reboot the VM.

6. Cloud Hosted Router (CHR) Installation

CHR is a special edition of RouterOS optimized for virtual environments. It can be deployed on AWS, Azure, or any VPS:

1. Download the CHR VMDK/VHDX image from MikroTik.
2. Upload it to your cloud provider.
3. Boot the instance and configure networking.

7. Accessing MikroTik After Installation

• Winbox: A Windows-based GUI tool for MikroTik management.
• WebFig: Web-based management via browser.
• CLI: Command-line interface for advanced configuration.

8. Initial Configuration

1. Login with the default username admin and no password (you will be prompted to set one).
2. Assign IP addresses to interfaces.
3. Configure the default gateway.
4. Set up DNS servers.

9. Security Best Practices

• Always set a strong password.
• Disable unused services (e.g., FTP, Telnet).
• Enable the firewall and allow only necessary access.
• Regularly update RouterOS to the latest stable version.

10. Troubleshooting

If you face installation issues:

• Check hardware compatibility.
• Verify the boot order in BIOS/UEFI.
• Ensure the ISO is not corrupted.

Conclusion

MikroTik installation is straightforward if you follow the proper steps. With the right setup, you can use MikroTik to build powerful and reliable networks at a fraction of the cost of other enterprise solutions.