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12.04.01 - Unboxing and Connecting

Just a notice, this guide was made for RouterOS on a hAP ac³. This is not a guide for installing and setting up RouterOS onto anything else. Despite this, the configuration of RouterOS should be the same beyond the installation point, just make sure your hardware supports the software.

Hardware Setup

For context, I am using a IP provided WISP AP connected to a hAP ac³

1) Unbox? If you want too

2) Connect to Power

3) Connect to WAN - Plug in an ethernet cable into port 1 from your internet source.

4) Connect to LAN - Either directly via ethernet or via the WiFi connection. Check your hardware manual for instructions.

5) Click the on button

On thing to note: When I started my router for the first time, it launched two networks (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz). Both of which were unprotected! Make sure to secure your network before you leave to do something else.

This is explained in 12.04.02 - Initial Setup (Quick Set), but finish this guide first as you cannot configure the network without connecting to it. BE QUICK!

Connecting to the Router

MAKE SURE YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE ROUTER BEFORE YOU CONTINUE!

To connect to the Router GUI you will need its IP address.

On Windows, open Command Prompt and run

ipconfig

And look for your Default Gateway for the router's ip

ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Ethernet 3:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :

Unknown adapter Tailscale:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : <redacted>
   IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : <redacted>
   Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : <redacted>
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : <redacted>
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Ethernet 7:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 10.10.10.64
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.0.0.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Ethernet adapter Ethernet 6:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : <redacted>
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : <redacted>
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.88.1

Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : lan

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 1:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :

Wireless LAN adapter Local Area Connection* 10:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :

Ethernet adapter vEthernet (Default Switch):

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : <redacted>
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : <redacted>
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.240.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

If you see alot of interfaces like in my output, go to your network settings and check for an active connection.

Go to this address in your control panel or file explorer to look for an active connection

Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center

This is how my active networks look As you can see, my RouterOS interface is Ethernet 6

Remember that for ethernet 6, Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.88.1

Type that into your browser and you should see a login screen. Go ahead and log in. Don't forget to check your manual for your router's credentials. Sometimes it might be printed directly onto your router.

Alternate Connection Methods

MikroTik App

The app is by far the easiest method of connecting and initializing first setup. It has a very intuitive user interface.

Connecting to network

On your mobile device, be sure to connect to one of the open networks made available by your router. Once you are connected, head to the app.

From the app, you will see 3 tabs. Click on the DISCOVERED tab and you should see your router show up. If this does not happen, then, you will need to locate your router's IP or the default gateway address.

Once you do that, go to the LOG IN tab and type your information in. * Address = Default Gateway address * Username = admin * Password = leave empty or check your router's intructions Click CONNECT button

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