Let's dive into the world of MikroTik CHR (Cloud Hosted Router)! If you're looking for a flexible and powerful routing solution that lives in the cloud, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about MikroTik CHR, from what it is to how to use it. So, buckle up and let's get started!

What is MikroTik CHR?

MikroTik CHR, or Cloud Hosted Router, is essentially a virtualized version of MikroTik's RouterOS. Think of it as a software-based router that you can run on a virtual machine (VM) in the cloud or on your own hardware. This gives you the full functionality of a MikroTik router without needing to buy dedicated hardware. It's all about flexibility and scalability, guys! Using MikroTik CHR you will have access to features like routing, firewall, bandwidth management, VPN, and more, all within a virtual environment.

The beauty of CHR lies in its adaptability. You can deploy it on various cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), or even on a hypervisor like VMware or Hyper-V. This makes it an excellent choice for businesses looking to extend their network into the cloud, create secure connections between different locations, or simply manage their network infrastructure more efficiently. The licensing model is also quite flexible, with different tiers based on the throughput you need, making it cost-effective for various use cases.

One of the key advantages of using MikroTik CHR is its ability to scale resources as needed. Traditional hardware routers have fixed capacity, but with CHR, you can easily increase or decrease the resources allocated to your virtual machine, such as CPU, RAM, and storage, to match your network's demands. This is particularly useful for businesses experiencing rapid growth or seasonal traffic spikes. Moreover, CHR benefits from the high availability and redundancy offered by cloud platforms, ensuring that your network remains operational even in the event of hardware failures. The ease of deployment and management further adds to its appeal. You can quickly spin up new router instances, configure them using the familiar RouterOS interface, and manage them remotely through WinBox or the command-line interface (CLI).

Why Use MikroTik CHR?

So, why should you consider using MikroTik CHR? There are several compelling reasons:

• Cost-Effectiveness: CHR can be more cost-effective than purchasing and maintaining physical routers, especially when you factor in the costs of hardware, maintenance, and electricity. Plus, you only pay for the resources you use in the cloud.
• Scalability: Easily scale your routing capacity up or down as needed. No more being stuck with a router that can't handle your growing traffic.
• Flexibility: Deploy CHR on a variety of cloud platforms or on your own hardware. It's your choice!
• Centralized Management: Manage all your routers from a single interface, whether they're in the cloud or on-premises.
• Feature-Rich: Get all the features of MikroTik RouterOS, including routing, firewall, VPN, and more.

Use Cases for MikroTik CHR

Let's look at some common scenarios where MikroTik CHR shines:

• Cloud Networking: Extend your on-premises network to the cloud, creating a hybrid cloud environment.
• VPN Gateway: Set up a secure VPN gateway in the cloud for remote access or site-to-site connections.
• SD-WAN: Build a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) using CHR to connect multiple locations.
• Branch Office Connectivity: Provide routing and security for branch offices without the need for dedicated hardware.
• Disaster Recovery: Use CHR as a backup router in the cloud in case of a disaster at your primary location.

MikroTik CHR truly excels in diverse scenarios, making it a versatile tool for network administrators. For cloud networking, it allows seamless integration between on-premises infrastructure and cloud resources, enabling businesses to leverage the scalability and flexibility of the cloud. As a VPN gateway, CHR provides secure and encrypted connections for remote users or branch offices, ensuring data confidentiality and integrity. In the realm of SD-WAN, CHR enables organizations to create dynamic and cost-effective wide area networks by intelligently routing traffic based on application requirements and network conditions. Furthermore, CHR is ideal for branch office connectivity, offering a centralized management platform and advanced security features without the need for expensive hardware deployments at each location. Lastly, it serves as a reliable disaster recovery solution, allowing businesses to quickly failover to a cloud-based router in the event of an outage, minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity. Its adaptability and comprehensive feature set make it a valuable asset for any organization looking to optimize their network infrastructure.

Getting Started with MikroTik CHR

Alright, let's get practical. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting started with MikroTik CHR:

1. Choose a Cloud Platform or Hypervisor

Decide where you want to host your CHR instance. Popular options include:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Microsoft Azure
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• VMware ESXi
• Hyper-V

2. Create a Virtual Machine

Create a new virtual machine (VM) on your chosen platform. Make sure to allocate enough resources (CPU, RAM, storage) for your expected traffic load. A good starting point is 1 vCPU, 1 GB of RAM, and 10 GB of storage, but you can adjust this later as needed.

When creating the VM, select an appropriate operating system. While you might be tempted to choose a full-blown Linux distribution, it's generally recommended to use a minimal image to reduce overhead. Many cloud providers offer pre-built images optimized for running virtual appliances. Alternatively, you can use a generic Linux image and install the necessary dependencies manually. Pay close attention to the network settings during VM creation. Ensure that the VM has at least one network interface connected to a virtual network or subnet that can access the internet or your internal network, depending on your use case. You'll also need to configure security groups or firewall rules to allow traffic to and from the VM. For initial setup, it's often necessary to allow SSH access (port 22) and WinBox access (port 8291) from your management workstation. However, for production deployments, it's crucial to restrict access to these ports to only authorized IP addresses or networks to enhance security.

3. Download the MikroTik CHR Image

Download the MikroTik CHR image from the MikroTik website (https://mikrotik.com/download). Choose the appropriate image format for your chosen platform (e.g., .vmdk for VMware, .iso for a generic installer).

4. Upload the Image to Your VM

Upload the downloaded image to your VM. The method for doing this will vary depending on your platform. For example, on VMware, you can upload the .vmdk file to a datastore. On cloud platforms, you might need to upload the image to a storage bucket and then create a disk from it.

5. Install MikroTik CHR

If you're using a .vmdk image, you can simply attach it to your VM as a virtual disk. If you're using an .iso image, you'll need to boot the VM from the ISO and follow the on-screen instructions to install RouterOS.

The installation process is generally straightforward. After booting from the ISO, you'll be presented with a text-based menu. Select the option to install RouterOS to the hard drive. The installer will partition the disk, copy the necessary files, and prompt you to reboot the VM. Once the VM restarts, it will boot into RouterOS. At this point, you can access the router's console via SSH or a serial console. The default login credentials are admin with no password. It's highly recommended to change the default password immediately after logging in for security reasons. You can do this using the password command in the RouterOS CLI. Additionally, you may want to configure the router's IP address, gateway, and DNS settings to enable internet connectivity. This can be done through the CLI or using the WinBox GUI, which provides a more user-friendly interface for configuring RouterOS.

6. Configure Your Router

Connect to your CHR instance using WinBox or SSH. WinBox is a GUI tool that makes it easy to configure MikroTik routers. SSH allows you to configure the router from the command line.

7. License Your CHR Instance

MikroTik CHR requires a license to unlock its full potential. You can purchase a license from the MikroTik website or from a MikroTik reseller. The license level determines the maximum throughput of your router. Once you have a license key, you can install it on your CHR instance using WinBox or the CLI.

Basic Configuration

Once you have access to your MikroTik CHR instance, there are a few basic configurations you'll want to set up right away. The very first thing you will have to do is changing the default password, then you can setup IP Address.

Setting Up IP Addresses

• WAN IP: Configure the IP address that your CHR instance will use to connect to the internet. This is typically a public IP address provided by your cloud provider.
• LAN IP: Configure the IP address that your CHR instance will use for your internal network. This is typically a private IP address in the 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x range.

Configuring NAT

Network Address Translation (NAT) allows devices on your internal network to access the internet using a single public IP address. You'll need to configure NAT on your CHR instance to allow your internal devices to connect to the internet.

Setting Up Firewall Rules

The firewall is your first line of defense against unauthorized access to your network. You'll need to configure firewall rules to allow legitimate traffic and block malicious traffic.

Configuring DHCP Server

A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on your internal network. You'll need to configure a DHCP server on your CHR instance to make it easier to manage your network.

Advanced Configuration

Once you have the basics set up, you can start exploring some of the more advanced features of MikroTik CHR:

• VPN: Set up a VPN server or client to create secure connections between different networks.
• Routing Protocols: Use routing protocols like OSPF or BGP to dynamically route traffic across your network.
• Bandwidth Management: Use QoS (Quality of Service) to prioritize traffic and ensure that critical applications get the bandwidth they need.
• Hotspot: Set up a hotspot to provide internet access to guests or customers.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get the most out of MikroTik CHR:

• Use Scripts: Use scripts to automate repetitive tasks.
• Monitor Your Router: Use the built-in monitoring tools to keep an eye on your router's performance.
• Keep Your Router Up to Date: Install the latest RouterOS updates to ensure that you have the latest features and security fixes.
• Back Up Your Configuration: Regularly back up your router's configuration so you can restore it in case of a problem.

Conclusion

MikroTik CHR is a powerful and flexible routing solution that can be used in a variety of scenarios. Whether you're looking to extend your network to the cloud, create secure VPN connections, or simply manage your network more efficiently, CHR has you covered. With its flexible licensing model, feature-rich operating system, and easy-to-use management tools, MikroTik CHR is an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes. So go ahead and give it a try! You might just be surprised at how much it can do for you. Happy routing, guys!