MikroTik RouterOS is a feature-rich operating system developed specifically for MikroTik’s RouterBOARD hardware, but it can also be installed on standard personal computers. When installed, it transforms the machine into a powerful router, equipped with all the necessary functionalities, including routing, firewalling, bandwidth management, wireless access, VPN server capabilities, hotspot gateway functionality, and more.
RouterOS is a standalone operating system built on the Linux v2.6 kernel. One of MikroTik’s core goals with RouterOS is to provide network administrators and professionals with an easy-to-install, user-friendly, and robust platform for managing complex networking environments. The system is versatile and adaptable for both home users and enterprise-grade networks.
You can try RouterOS today by visiting the official MikroTik website (mikrotik.com) and downloading the installation CD image. The free trial version includes all the features with no limitations, allowing you to explore the full functionality before making a purchase.
Key Features of RouterOS
RouterOS comes with a wide range of features that enable it to be used in various roles — from a basic router to a highly advanced network core component. Below, we outline its main areas of capability:
1. Hardware Compatibility
RouterOS supports multi-core and multi-CPU (SMP) systems and can be installed on modern Intel-based motherboards using IDE, SATA, or USB-based storage such as HDDs, SSDs, CompactFlash, and SD cards. The minimum space requirement for installation is just 64 MB.
It supports a wide range of network interfaces, including:
- 10 Gigabit Ethernet cards
- 802.11a/b/g/n/ac wireless interfaces
- 3G and LTE modems
This broad compatibility makes RouterOS ideal for a range of setups, from simple office environments to high-performance data centers.
2. Configuration Interfaces
RouterOS offers multiple configuration methods, which allow for maximum flexibility in managing devices:
- Winbox: A Windows-based GUI that connects over both IP and MAC addresses.
- Command-Line Interface (CLI): Accessed via local terminal, Telnet, SSH, or serial console.
- WebFig: A browser-based GUI for users who prefer web configuration.
- API: An interface for developers to create custom management tools or automation scripts.
In addition, RouterOS supports MAC-level tools, such as Mac-Telnet and Mac-Windows, for cases where IP-level communication is not available.
From version 4 onward, RouterOS also supports the Lua scripting language, allowing users to automate tasks and create advanced configurations using embedded scripts.
3. Firewall Capabilities
RouterOS features a powerful, stateful firewall. This means it not only filters packets based on predefined rules but also tracks the state of connections, enabling dynamic, context-aware filtering.
Key features include:
- Packet filtering by IP address, port, protocol, DSCP, etc.
- Source NAT (SNAT) and Destination NAT (DNAT)
- Static and dynamic address lists
- Layer 7 (application-level) filtering using regular expressions
- NAT helpers for popular applications
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support
- Full IPv6 firewall support
These capabilities make RouterOS well-suited for protecting networks against internal and external threats, while also enabling advanced traffic control.
4. Routing Protocols
RouterOS supports a comprehensive set of routing protocols for both IPv4 and IPv6:
- IPv4: RIP v1/v2, OSPF v2, BGP v4
- IPv6: RIPng, OSPFv3, BGP
Additional routing features:
- Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF)
- Policy-based routing
- Interface-based routing
- Equal-Cost Multi-Path (ECMP) routing
- Route marking and connection tagging using firewall rules
VRF, often used in MPLS networks, allows the coexistence of multiple independent routing tables. This means that overlapping IP address ranges can be used in different virtual networks without conflict, enhancing multi-tenancy and network segmentation.
5. MPLS Support
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is fully supported in RouterOS. MPLS enables faster packet forwarding by utilizing labels instead of IP addresses for routing decisions. This results in improved performance and scalability.
RouterOS supports:
- Static label bindings for IPv4
- Label Distribution Protocol (LDP)
- RSVP Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE)
- VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service) with MP-BGP for autodiscovery and signaling
- MPLS-based Layer 3 VPNs
MPLS enables the creation of virtual links across different transport protocols and mediums, improving traffic engineering and quality of service (QoS) in large-scale networks.
6. Layer 2 Forwarding and Bridging
RouterOS supports Layer 2 technologies such as:
- Bridging
- Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
- Mesh networks
- Spanning Tree Protocols (STP, RSTP)
- MikroTik’s proprietary HWMP+ mesh routing protocol
WDS is useful for extending wireless coverage using multiple access points, and Mesh provides flexible, self-organizing wireless networks, especially in areas where wiring is impractical (e.g., railways, warehouses).
The HWMP+ protocol builds upon IEEE 802.11s, enabling more efficient routing within wireless mesh environments.
7. VPN and Tunneling
RouterOS provides robust support for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and encrypted tunneling:
- IPsec (tunnel & transport mode) with support for PSK and certificates, AH/ESP protocols
- OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, PPPoE for point-to-point connectivity
- MLPPP, BCP for advanced PPP options
- EoIP and IPIP tunnels
- 6to4 tunnels for IPv6 over IPv4
- MPLS-based VPNs
- VLAN (IEEE 802.1q) with Q-in-Q (VLAN stacking)
The proprietary Ethernet over IP (EoIP) tunnel allows bridging Ethernet networks over IP connections. When combined with RouterOS bridging features, it enables LAN-to-LAN bridging over the Internet, making it a powerful tool for site-to-site VPNs or remote network extension.
Conclusion
MikroTik RouterOS is more than just an operating system; it is a comprehensive networking platform designed to handle a broad spectrum of networking tasks. Whether you’re a network engineer managing an ISP backbone, a systems administrator running a corporate network, or a home user seeking granular control over your connection, RouterOS delivers an unmatched level of flexibility, performance, and value.
With support for advanced protocols such as BGP, MPLS, IPsec, and VRF, along with its intuitive configuration tools (Winbox, CLI, WebFig, and API), RouterOS stands as a leading solution in the world of custom router operating systems.