How to Configure MikroTik Router for Internet Access

MikroTik routers are a powerful tool for setting up and managing network connections, including access to the Internet. If you’re new to MikroTik, configuring it to connect to the Internet can seem challenging. However, by following a few key steps, you can easily set up Internet access for your network. In this guide on how to configure MikroTik router for Internet access, we’ll walk through the basic configuration steps, including setting up WAN and LAN interfaces, configuring NAT, and adding a DNS server. By the end, your MikroTik router will be ready to connect your devices to the Internet.

Step-by-Step Guide to Configure Internet Access on a MikroTik Router

1. Access the Router

• Open WinBox or the MikroTik WebFig interface.
• Connect to your router using the default IP (usually 192.168.88.1) and login with the default credentials (username: admin, no password).

2. Configure the WAN Interface

• Go to IP > DHCP Client.
• Click Add (+), then select the interface connected to your ISP (usually ether1).
• Enable the options Use Peer DNS and Use Peer NTP.
• Click Apply and OK. The router should now receive an IP from your ISP.

3. Configure the LAN Interface

• Go to IP > Addresses.
• Click Add (+) and set the LAN IP (e.g., 192.168.88.1/24) on the interface for your local network (usually ether2).
• Click Apply and OK.

4. Set Up a DHCP Server for LAN

• Go to IP > DHCP Server and open the DHCP Setup wizard.
• Select the LAN interface (e.g., ether2) and follow the wizard steps, ensuring it provides IP addresses within your LAN IP range. Following this will be key in how to configure MikroTik router for Internet access.

5. Set Up NAT (Network Address Translation)

• Go to IP > Firewall > NAT.
• Click Add (+) to create a new rule.
• Under the General tab, set Chain to srcnat, and in the Out. Interface, select the WAN interface (e.g., ether1).
• Go to the Action tab and select masquerade.
• Click Apply and OK. This step allows your internal network to access the Internet by translating local IPs to the public IP in a key step of how to configure your MikroTik router.

6. Configure DNS Settings

• Go to IP > DNS.
• Check Allow Remote Requests to enable DNS resolution.
• Set Servers to a reliable DNS, such as 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google DNS), or use your ISP’s DNS servers.
• Click Apply and OK.

7. Test the Internet Connection

• Go to New Terminal and type ping google.com to test Internet connectivity.
• If the ping is successful, your router is now connected to the Internet and can provide access to connected devices.

By following these steps, you’ve successfully configured your MikroTik router to access the Internet. This setup provides a basic Internet connection for your network and serves as a foundation for more advanced configurations, such as enhanced security and traffic management. Feel free to experiment with different features in RouterOS to get the most out of your MikroTik router!

We’d love to hear your thoughts, tips, or questions about configuring MikroTik routers! Feel free to share your ideas and experiences in the comments below—your input can be helpful to others on the same journey. If you want to know more about MikroTik configuration for Internet access, visit here to learn what we should focus on.