Mikrotik-Installer/docs/Handbook.en.md

MikroTik Installer manual

This manual explains every area of the app. Technical terms are explained in the "Terms" tab next to this one and behind every ⓘ symbol.

1. Connect

In the first step, enter your router's address, user name and password and click "Test connection". A new MikroTik router is usually reachable at 192.168.88.1 with the user "admin"; the password is on the sticker or empty.

• "Remember password" stores the password in the Windows Credential Manager, not in a file. If unchecked, a previously stored password is deleted.
• Only enable "Use encrypted connection" if HTTPS or API-SSL is set up on the router. The first time, the app asks you to confirm the router's certificate and remembers it.

Find routers on the network

"Find routers on the network" finds MikroTik routers on the same network by their MAC address (like the "Neighbors" list in WinBox), even routers without a matching IP address. "Use IP" fills in the address. If a router has no IP, only WinBox via its MAC address helps; "Copy MAC" puts it on the clipboard.

Known routers

After every successful connection the app remembers the router in the sidebar. One click connects directly; the trash icon removes the entry together with its stored password. While connected, the same place shows the device and "Switch".

Test environment

Three simulated routers let you try the app without your own hardware. Nothing goes onto the network; changes are kept until you close the app. You can hide the test environment in the settings.

Automatic reconnect

Every 30 seconds, while the window is active, the app checks whether the router still answers. If the connection drops — or the router restarts after an update, firmware update, restore or "Restart" — the app retries every 5 seconds. The attempt counter is shown in the sidebar. After about 5 minutes without an answer it gives up; then reconnect via "Switch".

Router not reachable

Typical case: the router boots (LEDs blink) but can no longer be reached, for example after an interrupted setup. Usually it no longer has a matching IP address.

1. "Find routers on the network": if the router shows up with "no IP address", it is running but not reachable by IP. "Copy MAC".
2. Open WinBox, select the router under "Neighbors" and connect via its MAC address — this works without an IP.
3. In the WinBox terminal, first run /log print and save the error message before resetting anything. The log usually names the exact cause.
4. Set an IP for access, e.g. /ip address add address=192.168.88.1/24 interface=ether2, then reconnect with the app.
5. Only if that does not help: factory reset using the reset button on the device.

2. What would you like to do?

Right after connecting you choose the area: the setup wizard, "Backup & maintenance" or — only with "Professional network admin" enabled in the settings — the "Expert" area.

3. Setup wizard

The wizard asks step by step what should be set up. Nothing is changed on the router before you click "Set up now" in the summary.

• Device detection: model, RouterOS version, serial number and ports (green dot = cable plugged in / link up).
• Existing networks: a diagram of the current configuration. Clicking a box highlights everything connected to it. With "Professional network admin", a box can be changed directly via "Edit".
• Devices on the network: see chapter 4.
• Internet access, home network, VLANs, Wi-Fi, firewall: the actual setup. The home network is pre-filled with the router's existing network; when applying, existing entries are updated instead of created twice.
• If a port that should join the home network is still in use otherwise (its own IP address, DHCP), the wizard offers "Free up port".
• "Isolate from home network" separates a VLAN completely: no access to the home network and no router management from the isolated network; only DNS and DHCP stay allowed.
• Summary: all changes in plain language, PDF export with credentials and Wi-Fi QR code. "Set up now" first creates a backup, then shows a progress bar and, at the end, what was done.
• RouterOS update: optional, with a warning; afterwards the app reconnects on its own.

4. Devices on the network (LAN scanner)

The list shows all devices the router currently sees, grouped by the port they are connected to. "Assign fixed IP address" makes sure a device always gets the same address; "Undo" removes the fixed assignment (the device only notices after disconnecting and reconnecting).

"Tools" per device:

• Ping: Can the router reach the device?
• Traceroute: Which stations does the path go through?
• DNS lookup: Does the router know the device's name?
• Port scan (from this PC): Which common services answer? Red = open, green = closed, grey = no answer.

5. Backup & maintenance

• Create new backup: a backup on the router. A manual backup replaces the automatic backup before the next change for 10 minutes.
• Backup password (settings): new backups are encrypted and show a lock in the list. Without the password they cannot be restored.
• Save to PC: downloads a backup via SFTP into the backup folder. The router's SSH service must be enabled. The first time, the app asks whether to trust the router's SSH key.
• Restore now: restores a backup. The app first checks model, architecture and serial number: green = matches, yellow = identical model but a different device (only at your own risk), red = different model (blocked).
• Restart, update firmware, restore factory settings: see maintenance. After a factory reset the router is usually reachable at 192.168.88.1.

6. Expert

Only with "Professional network admin". On the left there are tools and about 50 RouterOS menus by area; "Custom menu path" reaches any other menu.

• Edit, add and delete entries. Every field has an explanation (ⓘ). Before saving, the app shows exactly the command that will run; a backup is created before the first change.
• Entries managed by RouterOS itself (dynamic), default entries and fixed lists cannot be deleted; disabled entries are greyed out.
• Isolate networks: separates two networks from each other, including blocking router management from the isolated network.
• Create new LAN: gives a single port its own network with DHCP, isolated if you like.
• Add port to bridge: the way back — returns a port (Wi-Fi too) to the home network and cleans up address, DHCP and isolation rules.
• Packages: install or remove RouterOS extra packages such as "hotspot". The router downloads them from MikroTik and restarts.
• Hotspot: a login portal for guests. Do not put it on the normal home network, but on a separate, isolated guest network.

7. Settings

Available at the bottom of the sidebar: language, appearance (system, light, dark), update check when connecting, "Professional network admin", test environment, folder and password for backups, show introduction again.