Install MikroTik RouterOS on PC
MikroTik is a popular and mostly used router worldwide because of having a lot of networking functionalities and its cheap price. If we buy a MikroTik Routerboard (like MikroTik Routerboard 450G, MikroTik Routerboard 1100 AH etc.), we will find a machine where MikroTik RouterOS is prebuilt but the machine contains limited processing resources such as limited RAM and limited processor core. So, our network could be slow if you use a MikroTik RouterBoard for maintaining a large network.
On the other hand, if we install MikroTik RouterOS on a PC or on a Server, we will get a faster processor with sufficient RAM. So, it will be easy and faster for maintaining a large network with this MikroTik PC Router.
As MikroTik PC Router is a better solution for a larger network, this article is designed to show necessary steps to install MikroTik OS on a PC or a Server.
Requirements
We must have at least two network cards to turn a PC or Server into a MikroTik Router. One card will be used as LAN connection and another card will be used as WAN connection. It is also better to use more than one core and sufficient memory for processing millions of network packets. We also must remember that IDE HDD is required for installing MikroTik RouterOS on a PC or Server Computer.
MikroTik PC Router Installation
MikroTik RouterOS can be installed on a virtual machine or on a physical machine. If we interested to install MikroTik RouterOS on a virtual machine, download VMware Workstation to create a virtual machine and then follow my video tutorial about Setup MikroTik OS on VMware Virtual Machine.
If we interested to install MikroTik RouterOS on a physical machine, download MikroTik OS ISO and burn the ISO in a blank CD or DVD or in a USB flash drive and then follow my below steps to install MikroTik RouterOS a physical machine.
- Boot the PC or Server from bootable media such as CD or DVD ROM. If everything is OK, MikroTik RouterOS will be started to install and format the disk. If you use a large disk, it will take more time to format. So, be patient to wait. After formatting the disk, it will ask for selecting packages those will be installed.
- To install all packages, press ‘a‘ or press ‘M’ for minimal installation and then press ‘i‘ for starting installation.
- It will now ask whether it will keep old configuration or not. Press ‘n’, because it will be better to delete old configuration in the disk. It will now show a warning message. Press ‘y‘ for continue installation. All selected packages will be installed and then it will ask to hit ‘Enter‘ key to reboot the system. Hit ‘Enter‘ key now.
- After rebooting, it will ask to provide login credential. MikroTik default username is ‘admin‘ and password is blank. So, type ‘admin‘ for MikroTik login and password left blank and then hit ‘Enter‘ key.
- MikroTik CLI will appear now. It will also show a Software ID in the login screen. Write down this Software ID because it will be required when we want to purchase a license from MikroTik.
MikroTik PC Router is ready now. We can type MikroTik command in CLI to configure MikroTik Router or we can use Winbox software to configure MikroTik Router.
You should follow above steps carefully to install MikroTik RouterOS on a PC or Server. If we face any problem to do above steps, please follow the below video tutorial about Setup MikroTik OS on VMware Virtual Machine (MikroTik PC Router).
How to install MikroTik RouterOS in a Physical Machine to make a MikroTik PC Router has been discussed in this article. A video is also uploaded to reduce any confusion. However, if you face any problem to install MikroTik RouterOS ISO on a physical machine, feel free to discuss in comment or contact with me form Contact page. I will try my best to stay with you.
Why not a Cup of COFFEE if the solution?
Hi Sayeed,
Hope you’re fine. I saw your video and it’s quite informative. I’m working as Network administrator at a company. And here we’ve provided the facility of open internet to specific group of users. For this purpose we only enter password to specifice users by ourselves but unfortunately password is getting cracked or something and user are getting very low speed. I’ve applied MAC filtering on each AP but that’s quite hectic job to do because here almost 25 Aps are deployed at different locations.
I want to know about MikroTik that whether it can apply MAC filtering on all the network, having almost 120 users, if I install it on any PC at my office. I just want to manage all the MACs list from one interface, instead of 25. Please guide me for this if there is some way.
Awaiting for your kind response,
Kind Regards,
Usman
Hi Usman,
Thanks for visiting my website. You can apply static DHCP server strategy in MikroTik router and your AP will have bridge mode not NAT mode. If you apply static DHCP strategy, your user must provide MAC address to connect to your network. Beside, you have to apply single IP NAT strategy in your MikroTik router. I hope, these two techniques will solve your problem.
Don’t be hesitate to contact with me if you face any problem.
thanks for such nice tipss
I had an error while trying to launch the vmare after the installation. can you send me your email to forward to you graphics of the error information i received while trying to power on the Vmware as Guest.
Please contact with me from contact page.
Wow this is awesome and I like it and enjoyed the steps above,am ready to use mikrotik os
I want to setup webserver for routerOS, exactly what i am looking for is, want to create and delete user for hotspot in our hotel, but instead of using local system i want to use webserver, can you help me on this ?
It will be a project work. Usually this type of application is not available. But if you want, I can build such type of application but it will be costly. If you wish, please contact with me on skype: sezan10
what version of mikrotik should I use in 15 computers with 4Mbps ISP?
You can use any version of MikroTik router.
hello guys,
i`m having uncommon problem, i am installing mikrotik os on physical machine.
i burned iso image on dvd – i booted it on my first desktop – it runs and redirect me to install packages normally ,
but when im using it on another desktop – same dvd rom and image –
it is showing linux installation freezing and not proceeding the installation .
any info that you have that could help would be appreciated.
it’s really uncommon. try to burn another disk and different DVD rom.
Thank you very much Sayeed !
I am also not experience in Mikrotik router, I have used Sophos, fortigate etc but not Mikrotik.. Now i have responsibility to configure and administrator and Mikrotik.. Hope i will get help from your writing .
Hi
Thank you so much for you informative blog.
would you kindly assist me we a breakdown of mikrotik equipment ie from router and step by step setup of a server and best cpe which would serve 1000 people.
Thanks
CPU configuration is depend on your budget. If you increase your CPU core, the CPU will perform better. You can use corei3, conrei5 or corei7 CPU.
Hi Sayeed Bro, hope you are doing well.
Is there a way to get the GUI version of MikroTik CCR 1036 image for PC?
Thank you
Hi,
Winbox is the Graphical software For MikroTik . You can also get your mMkroTik on Web page graphically.