Routers
MikroTik Routers: Maximum Flexibility, Performance, and Control for Your Network
MikroTik routers are renowned worldwide for their exceptional flexibility, enormous range of features, and often unbeatable price-performance ratio. Based on the powerful RouterOS operating system, these routers offer a depth of configuration options typically found only in much more expensive enterprise-grade devices. Whether for demanding home networks, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), or complex network labs and special applications – MikroTik provides a wide range of hardware platforms (RouterBOARDs) that enable network administrators, IT professionals, and enthusiasts to create customized and high-performance network solutions. Discover the world of MikroTik routers at etree and take full control of your network – from simple setups to the most complex routing scenarios.
MikroTik's strength lies in the combination of versatile hardware and the extremely adaptable RouterOS, which allows granular control over all network aspects.
Why a MikroTik Router? The Convincing Advantages in Detail:
- RouterOS – The Heart of Flexibility: An extremely powerful and stable operating system offering a vast range of features: advanced routing (static, dynamic with OSPF, BGP, MPLS), a mighty stateful firewall, diverse VPN options, Quality of Service (QoS), Hotspot gateway, scripting capabilities, and much more.
- Unbeatable Price-Performance Ratio: MikroTik routers often offer a feature set that far exceeds that of devices from other manufacturers in the same price range.
- Extreme Configurability for Custom Solutions: Almost every aspect of network behavior can be customized in detail to implement specific requirements and complex scenarios.
- Wide Hardware Selection for Every Need: From compact SOHO routers (hEX series), to powerful SMB routers (RBxxxx series) and high-end Cloud Core Routers (CCR series), to models with integrated Wi-Fi (hAP series) or LTE/5G cellular connectivity.
- High Performance for Demanding Tasks: Many models, especially the CCR series, are equipped with powerful multi-core processors to handle high data throughput and complex routing tasks.
- Robust and Reliable Hardware: MikroTik RouterBOARDs are known for their durability and stable operation.
- Strong and Versatile VPN Functions: Comprehensive support for various VPN protocols (IPSec, OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP, WireGuard®) for secure connection of sites, remote employees, and cloud services.
- PoE Functionalities for Flexible Installations: Many models offer PoE-in (power supply via Ethernet) and/or PoE-out (powering other devices like access points or cameras).
- Active Community and Extensive Documentation: A large, worldwide user community and the detailed MikroTik Wiki provide valuable support and solutions.
- Regular RouterOS Updates: MikroTik continuously releases updates for RouterOS that include new features, improvements, and security patches.
The World of MikroTik Routers in Detail: RouterBOARDs and RouterOS
The core of every MikroTik router is the RouterOS operating system, which runs on various hardware (RouterBOARDs):
RouterOS – The Powerful Operating System
- Core Features Overview: Comprehensive routing (RIP, OSPF, BGP, MPLS), stateful firewall with NAT and Mangle, VPN (IPSec, WireGuard®, OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP), Quality of Service (QoS) with Hierarchical Token Buckets (HTB) and queues, DHCP server/client, DNS server/cache, Hotspot gateway, web proxy, The Dude network monitor integration, powerful scripting engine, and much more.
- Configuration Methods: Configuration can be done via the graphical Windows application WinBox, the web-based interface WebFig, the powerful Command Line Interface (CLI) via SSH, Telnet, or serial console, or via the API for automation.
- License Levels: RouterOS comes with different license levels (Level 3 to Level 6) that determine the feature set (e.g., number of VPN tunnels, use as a WLAN Access Point). Most RouterBOARDs come with a license appropriate for their intended use (usually L4, L5, or L6).
Selected MikroTik RouterBOARD Series:
- hEX Series (e.g., hEX, hEX S, hEX PoE lite, RB750Gr3): Compact, affordable, yet surprisingly powerful routers for the SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) sector or as small branch office routers. Some models offer PoE-out.
- RBxxxx Series (e.g., RB4011iGS+RM, RB5009UG+S+IN): More powerful routers for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) or demanding home networks, often with a good mix of Gigabit Ethernet ports and SFP/SFP+ connections for fiber.
- CCR (Cloud Core Router) Series (e.g., CCR1009, CCR2004, CCR2116, CCR2216): High-end routers with powerful multi-core Tilera or ARM processors and many 10G/25G/100G ports. Designed for ISPs, data centers, and very large enterprise networks with high data throughput.
- hAP Series (Wireless Routers – e.g., hAP ac lite, hAP ac², hAP ax², hAP ax³): Versatile routers with integrated WLAN access points (Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6). Ideal for home, small offices, or as an all-in-one solution.
- LTE/5G Routers (e.g., Chateau LTE/5G Series, LtAP mini LTE kit, SXT LTE/5G kit): Routers with integrated cellular modems for internet access via the LTE or 5G network, either as a primary connection or as a failover solution.
- Outdoor & Special Routers (e.g., NetMetal, NetPower, PowerBox): Robust routers for outdoor use, often with weatherproof enclosures and advanced PoE features for powering other outdoor devices.
Key Technologies and Features of MikroTik Routers – The Power of RouterOS:
Advanced Dynamic Routing
RouterOS supports a wide range of dynamic routing protocols, including OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) for complex network topologies and connection to the internet backbone, as well as MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) for service provider networks.
Powerful and Granular Firewall
The firewall in RouterOS is extremely flexible and allows for detailed filter rules, address translation (NAT), packet marking and manipulation (Mangle), and connection analysis (Connection Tracking). Raw tables allow intervention even before connection tracking.
Versatile and Secure VPN Options
RouterOS offers broad support for VPN protocols: IPSec (IKEv1, IKEv2) for secure site-to-site and client-to-site connections, WireGuard® as a modern, fast, and secure VPN solution, OpenVPN for high compatibility, as well as L2TP, PPTP, and SSTP.
Effective Quality of Service (QoS)
With RouterOS, you can precisely prioritize data traffic and manage bandwidth. Hierarchical Token Buckets (HTB) and various queuing disciplines (e.g., PCQ, SFQ) enable fair distribution and prioritization of important applications like VoIP or video conferencing.
Extensive Scripting Capabilities
A powerful scripting language allows for task automation, creation of custom functions, and dynamic adjustment of the configuration based on network events.
Which MikroTik Router for Which Use? – Application Examples:
- Demanding Home Network: Segmentation with VLANs, advanced QoS for gaming and streaming, secure VPN access from on-the-go (e.g., hEX S, hAP ax², RB5009).
- SMB Router and Firewall: Secure internet connection, site-to-site VPN to other locations, guest network, content filtering (e.g., RB4011, RB5009, CCR1009/CCR2004 depending on size).
- Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP): Edge router, CPE (Customer Premises Equipment), backbone routing (CCR series, NetMetal).
- Internet Load Balancing and Failover: Using multiple internet connections for higher availability and bandwidth.
- Hotspot Gateway Solutions: For cafes, hotels, public places with user authentication and bandwidth management.
- Network Lab and Learning Environment: Ideal for learning and testing advanced networking concepts due to the enormous range of functions.
- Primary or Backup Internet Access via LTE/5G: In locations without fast fixed-line access or as a fail-safe backup line (Chateau series, LtAP series).
What to Look for When Buying a MikroTik Router? A Checklist:
- Primary Purpose and Required RouterOS Features: What specific tasks should the router perform (firewall, VPN server/client, dynamic routing, hotspot, etc.)?
- Performance Requirements: What data throughput is needed for internet, firewall, VPN, and internal routing? How many concurrent users or connections need to be processed? (CPU performance and RAM are crucial here).
- Port Configuration: How many and what types of Ethernet ports are needed (Gigabit, 2.5G, 10G SFP/SFP+)? Are PoE In or PoE Out functions required, and if so, which standard and how much power?
- WLAN Needs: Is an integrated WLAN AP required? If so, which Wi-Fi standard (e.g., Wi-Fi 5/ac, Wi-Fi 6/ax) and antenna configuration?
- LTE/5G Connectivity: Is integrated cellular connectivity required for primary or backup internet access? Which cellular standard (LTE Cat, 5G Sub-6)?
- RouterOS License Level: Is the license level supplied with the hardware (usually L4 for AP/CPE, L5 for WISP AP, L6 for controller/backbone) sufficient for the planned functions? (For most use cases, the included license is appropriate).
- Form Factor and Enclosure: Is a desktop device, a rackmount model, or a weatherproof outdoor enclosure needed?
- Own Technical Knowledge and Willingness to Learn: MikroTik routers offer enormous possibilities but also require a certain technical understanding and willingness to delve into configuration (often via WinBox or CLI). The learning curve can be steep but is rewarded by a wealth of documentation and an active community.
- Budget: MikroTik offers a very wide price range, from very inexpensive entry-level devices to high-performance core routers.
At etree, you will find a wide selection of MikroTik routers. Our detailed product descriptions and your own research on the MikroTik Wiki will help you find the router that is perfectly tailored to your demanding network requirements.