The Lab

The Lab is a testing ground for networking research and discussion, designed to enable experimentation of network concepts in a realistic working environment.

First 10 Minutes with Your MikroTik Router

Quick start guide for new MikroTik installations or inherited routers. Connect via WinBox, assess current configuration, create critical backups (binary and export), change default password, disable dangerous services, and plan next steps based on router status.

Lesson 1.6: Quick Win — Secure Your Admin Access

Secure your MikroTik in 10 minutes: change default passwords, create personal admin accounts, disable dangerous services like telnet and FTP, and restrict access by IP address. Your first Quick Win protects against common attacks and establishes security best practices.

Lesson 1.5: Backup & Restore — Do This First

Create binary backups and text exports before making changes. Learn the difference between complete snapshots and portable configuration scripts, how to restore each type, and backup best practices. Essential safety net for protecting your MikroTik configuration.

Lesson 1.4: Safe Mode & Undo — Your Safety Net

Safe Mode and Undo are your safety nets when making router changes. Learn automatic rollback protection, how to commit changes safely, and when to use each tool. Essential knowledge before modifying any production router to prevent lockouts and downtime disasters.

Lesson 1.3: RouterOS Structure — Where Things Live

Understand the RouterOS mental model: objects and properties. Learn where settings live in the menu hierarchy, how traffic flows through the router, and translate Cisco knowledge to MikroTik navigation. Master the three-layer structure: connections, networking, and system management.

Lesson 1.2: WinBox & WebFig Basics

Learn WinBox and WebFig—MikroTik's two management interfaces. Connect via IP or MAC address, navigate the interface layout, understand key menu sections, and know when to use GUI vs CLI. Includes Cisco translation guide for network admins switching to MikroTik.

Lesson 1.1: Welcome & What to Expect

If someone handed you a MikroTik and said "figure it out," you're not alone. This course takes you from confused to competent in 30 days. Learn what to expect, how modules work, and why you'll gain confidence managing MikroTik without years of frustration.

Module 1: Confidence

Get oriented fast with WinBox navigation, Safe Mode experimentation, and admin security. Learn RouterOS structure, create backups, and secure your router in 55 minutes. Perfect foundation for IT professionals new to MikroTik who need immediate confidence and practical skills.

MikroTik First 30 Days

Go from "What am I even looking at?" to confidently managing MikroTik routers in 5 modules. Master firewall configuration, VPNs, VLANs, and troubleshooting without years of trial and error. Built for IT professionals who inherited a MikroTik and need results fast.

MTCRE Lab 1.9 - Recursive Next-Hop Resolution

Master recursive next-hop resolution in MikroTik RouterOS with hands-on exercises covering scope values, target-scope parameters, and loopback stability. Learn how routers resolve gateways through multiple routing table lookups—essential for BGP and advanced routing configurations.