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MikroTik RouterOS

What is RouterOS

RouterOS is the operating system of RouterBOARD

  • It can also be installed on a PC and will turn it into a router with all the necessary features – routing, firewall, bandwidth management, wireless access point, backhaul link, hotspot gateway, VPN server and more.

    You can compare the different license Level features on this page in our manual.

Installing RouterOS on an x86 machine is very simple

  • PC: Download the ISO image, burn it to CD and boot from it. Your new router will run for 24 hours without a license (turn it off to stop the timer). During this time you can try all the features of RouterOS.
  • Other x86: Netinstall will write RouterOS to any secondary drive you have attached to your Windows PC. Move the drive to your Router PC and boot it.Both installation methods, plus upgrade files and more – on MikroTik download page.

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Virtual environments now have special treatment: CHR

  • CHR, short for Cloud Hosted Router, is a new approach specifically made for Virtual Machines both locally and in the cloud. Optimised drivers, a new and more affordable licensing scheme, transferable licenses and more.
  • CHR is a special installation image, which is available for free on our download page, or directly in the Amazon AWS marketplace. Read mode in the PDF brochure.

Learning more about our software

  • RouterOS has extensive documentation.
  • MikroTik Certification Courses; MTCNA, MTCRE, MTCWE, MTCTCE, MTCINE, MTCUME
  • Workshops and Events
  • WirelessNetware also provides any technical support related to MikroTik RouterOS.

Purchasing a license for RouterOS

  • To use RouterOS after the free trial, a license key is required. You can obtain license keys in the MikroTik Account server. If you don’t have an account yet, click on “New Account” there in the top-right corner of this page.
  • When purchasing the license, a SoftID number will be asked – this can be copied from the router’s License menu.
  • To view license key level differences, see the comparison table.

Important notes about MikroTik RouterOS

  • Make sure to use correct RouterOS package to update your router.
  • Before doing any RouterOS update read change-log.
  • RouterOS “Bug-fix” version is usually the best OS.
  • If you want to use RouterOS “current” version it is recommended to read change-log for RouterOS “Release candidate” and make sure there is no bug for the features already used in your router.
  • RouterOS “Release candidate” is usually used when MikroTik developer are working on a new feature to add to RouterOS or else to fix the possible bug.
  • RouterOS “Current” is not fully tested.
  • NETINSTALL is used when you forger your Router password, install new RouterOS, lost RouterOS, kernel fail issue.

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