How to setting Virtual AP on MikroTik by Winbox.

Pradit Pulatatang

• 3 min read
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How to setting Virtual AP on MikroTik by Winbox.
Photo by Christopher Gower / Unsplash

Setting up a Virtual AP on MikroTik allows a single wlan1 card to simultaneously receive WiFi signals from the main router (Station) and broadcast a new WiFi network (Access Point).

Detailed setup instructions.

Step 1: Create a Security Profile for receiving and broadcasting WiFi.

1.1 Go to Wireless > Security Profiles tab > press New.

1.2 Signal profile to be received (Station):

  • Name: profile-wifi-main
  • Mode: dynamic keys
  • Authentication Types: Check WPA2 PSK
  • WPA2 Pre-Shared Key: Enter the password for your home WiFi/main router.
  • Press OK

1.3 Profile for new WiFi access point (AP):

  • Press New again.
  • Name: profile-wifi-guest
  • Mode: dynamic keys
  • Authentication Types: Check WPA PSK, WPA2 PSK
  • WPA2 Pre-Shared Key: Set a new WiFi password for the network.
  • Press OK

Step 2: Configure wlan1 as the receiver (station).

2.1 Go to Wireless > WiFi Interfaces tab.

2.2 Double-click to open wlan1 > then press the Enable button (checkmark icon).

2.3 Go to the Wireless tab:

  • Mode: Select station.
  • Security Profile: Select profile-wifi-main
  • Press the Scanner button on the right > Press Start > Select the desired primary WiFi name > Press Connect.
  • Press Apply, then observe the bottom right corner. An "R" (Running) will appear, indicating that the connection is successful.

Step 3: Create a Virtual Interface (new WiFi distributor)

3.1 On the WiFi Interfaces page, press New > select Virtual.

3.2 Go to the General tab:

  • Name: wlan2-virtual

3.3 Go to the Wireless tab:

  • Mode: Select AP Bridge
  • SSID: Set the new WiFi name you want to broadcast.
  • Master Interface: Select wlan1
  • Security Profile: Select profile-wifi-guest
  • Press OK

*note: if you want to hide SSID just check box "Hide SSID".

Step 4: Connect the interface to the Bridge (to provide internet access to connected devices).

To allow devices connected to wlan2-virtual and the LAN ports to receive IP addresses directly from the main router:

4.1 Go to Bridge > Bridge tab > press New (set a name, e.g., bridge1) > press OK.

4.2 Go to the Ports tab > click New and add the following interface:

  • Interface: wlan1 > Bridge: bridge1
  • Interface: wlan2-virtual > Bridge: bridge1
  • Interface: ether1 (or other active LAN port) > Bridge: bridge1

4.3 Go to IP > DHCP Client > Click New > Select Interface as bridge1 so that the MikroTik device can also receive an IP address from the main router.

finished..

end..