MikroTik Router Behind PfSense: A Comprehensive Guide

by Jhon Lennon 54 views

Setting up a MikroTik router behind a pfSense firewall can create a robust and flexible network environment. This setup allows you to leverage the advanced features of both systems, such as pfSense's powerful firewall capabilities and MikroTik's versatile routing options. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the reasons for this setup, the necessary configurations, and some advanced use cases. So, whether you're a seasoned network administrator or a tech enthusiast, let's dive in and explore how to make the most of this powerful combination.

Why Put a MikroTik Behind pfSense?

There are several compelling reasons to place a MikroTik router behind a pfSense firewall. Let's explore some of the most common scenarios and benefits:

  • Enhanced Security: pfSense is renowned for its robust firewall capabilities, including stateful packet inspection, intrusion detection, and prevention systems. By placing it at the network edge, you create a strong security perimeter, shielding your internal network from external threats. The MikroTik then handles internal routing and specific network functionalities, benefiting from the security umbrella provided by pfSense.
  • Feature Segregation: pfSense excels at firewalling and network security, while MikroTik offers advanced routing, VPN capabilities, and traffic shaping. Separating these functions allows each device to focus on its strengths. For instance, you might use pfSense for its Suricata or Snort intrusion detection systems, while the MikroTik handles complex routing policies or VPN server duties.
  • Network Segmentation: Using a MikroTik behind pfSense facilitates network segmentation. You can create separate VLANs (Virtual LANs) on the MikroTik for different departments or purposes (e.g., guest network, IoT devices, corporate network). pfSense then controls the traffic flow between these segments and the outside world, enhancing security and manageability. This is particularly useful in larger networks where isolating traffic is crucial.
  • Testing and Development: A MikroTik router behind pfSense provides an excellent environment for testing network configurations and new features without disrupting the entire network. You can experiment with different routing protocols, firewall rules, and VPN setups on the MikroTik, knowing that pfSense provides a safety net.
  • Leveraging MikroTik's Advanced Features: MikroTik routers are known for their powerful RouterOS, which offers a wide range of features like advanced queue management (QoS), dynamic routing protocols (BGP, OSPF), and MPLS. By placing a MikroTik behind pfSense, you can take advantage of these features while still benefiting from pfSense's security.
  • Redundancy and Failover: In a more complex setup, you can configure multiple MikroTik routers behind pfSense for redundancy. If one MikroTik fails, the others can take over, ensuring network continuity. PfSense can be configured to detect the failure and redirect traffic accordingly.

In summary, putting a MikroTik behind pfSense offers a layered approach to network management, combining security and flexibility. This setup is ideal for those who want to maximize the capabilities of both devices and create a highly customized network environment.

Basic Configuration Steps

Setting up a MikroTik router behind a pfSense firewall involves a series of configuration steps on both devices. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

  1. pfSense Configuration:

    • Assign a Static IP: First, assign a static IP address to the pfSense interface that will connect to the MikroTik router. This IP address will serve as the gateway for the MikroTik.
    • Create a Firewall Rule: Create a firewall rule on the pfSense interface to allow traffic from the MikroTik's IP address range. This rule ensures that traffic from the MikroTik can pass through the pfSense firewall.
    • Configure DHCP (Optional): If you want pfSense to assign IP addresses to devices connected to the MikroTik, configure a DHCP server on the pfSense interface. Otherwise, you can disable DHCP and manage IP addresses manually on the MikroTik.

  2. MikroTik Configuration:

    • Set a Static IP: Assign a static IP address to the MikroTik's interface that connects to the pfSense firewall. This IP address should be within the same subnet as the pfSense interface but different from the pfSense IP address.
    • Set the Gateway: Configure the default gateway on the MikroTik to be the IP address of the pfSense interface. This tells the MikroTik to send all traffic destined for the internet to the pfSense firewall.
    • Configure NAT (Network Address Translation): Enable NAT on the MikroTik to allow devices connected to it to access the internet through the pfSense firewall. This typically involves creating a masquerade rule that translates the internal IP addresses of devices connected to the MikroTik to the MikroTik's IP address.
    • Set DNS Servers: Configure the MikroTik to use the pfSense firewall as its DNS server, or use public DNS servers like Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1). This allows devices connected to the MikroTik to resolve domain names.

  3. Connectivity Testing:

    • Ping Test: After configuring both devices, test connectivity by pinging the pfSense interface from the MikroTik. Then, ping an external website (e.g., google.com) from the MikroTik to ensure internet connectivity.
    • Device Testing: Connect a device to the MikroTik and verify that it can access the internet. Check the device's IP address, gateway, and DNS settings to ensure they are correctly configured.

Example Configuration:

  • pfSense Interface IP: 192.168.1.1/24
  • MikroTik Interface IP: 192.168.1.2/24
  • MikroTik Gateway: 192.168.1.1

In this example, the MikroTik's interface is set to 192.168.1.2, and its default gateway is set to the pfSense interface at 192.168.1.1. All traffic from the MikroTik will be routed through the pfSense firewall.

By following these basic configuration steps, you can successfully set up a MikroTik router behind a pfSense firewall. Remember to adjust the IP addresses and subnet masks according to your network configuration.

Advanced Use Cases

Once you have the basic setup working, you can explore advanced use cases to further leverage the capabilities of both pfSense and MikroTik. Here are a few examples:

  • VPN Server on MikroTik: Configure the MikroTik as a VPN server, allowing remote users to securely connect to your network. This is useful for employees who need to access internal resources while working remotely. pfSense can be configured to forward VPN traffic to the MikroTik.

    • Configuration Steps:
      • Enable a VPN protocol (e.g., L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN) on the MikroTik.
      • Create VPN user accounts with appropriate permissions.
      • Configure pfSense to forward VPN traffic (e.g., UDP port 500, 4500 for L2TP/IPsec) to the MikroTik's IP address.

  • Traffic Shaping and QoS on MikroTik: Use MikroTik's advanced queue management features to prioritize certain types of traffic. This can improve the performance of critical applications like VoIP or video conferencing. pfSense ensures the overall security, while the MikroTik optimizes traffic flow.

    • Configuration Steps:
      • Identify the types of traffic you want to prioritize (e.g., VoIP, video streaming).
      • Create queue trees and simple queues on the MikroTik to prioritize the identified traffic.
      • Configure firewall rules on the MikroTik to mark packets for QoS.

  • Dynamic Routing with OSPF or BGP: If you have a complex network with multiple routers, you can use dynamic routing protocols like OSPF or BGP to automatically learn and adapt to changes in the network topology. The MikroTik can participate in the dynamic routing protocol, while pfSense acts as the gateway to the internet.

    • Configuration Steps:
      • Enable OSPF or BGP on both the MikroTik and other routers in the network.
      • Configure the routing protocol parameters (e.g., area ID, router ID).
      • Define network ranges to be advertised by each router.

  • VLAN Configuration: Create VLANs on the MikroTik to segment your network into different logical networks. This allows you to isolate traffic and apply different security policies to each VLAN. PfSense can then control the traffic flow between these VLANs and the internet.

    • Configuration Steps:
      • Create VLAN interfaces on the MikroTik.
      • Assign VLAN IDs to the interfaces.
      • Configure DHCP servers for each VLAN (optional).
      • Create firewall rules on pfSense to control traffic between VLANs and the internet.

By exploring these advanced use cases, you can unlock the full potential of your pfSense and MikroTik setup. Experiment with different configurations and features to tailor the network to your specific needs.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Setting up a MikroTik behind pfSense can sometimes present challenges. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

  • No Internet Access:

    • Problem: Devices connected to the MikroTik cannot access the internet.
    • Solution:
      • Verify that the MikroTik has a valid IP address and gateway.
      • Check the firewall rules on pfSense to ensure traffic from the MikroTik is allowed.
      • Verify that NAT is enabled on the MikroTik.
      • Check DNS settings on the MikroTik.

  • Connectivity Issues Between VLANs:

    • Problem: Devices on different VLANs connected to the MikroTik cannot communicate with each other.
    • Solution:
      • Verify that VLANs are correctly configured on the MikroTik.
      • Check firewall rules on pfSense to ensure traffic between VLANs is allowed.
      • Verify that routing is configured correctly on the MikroTik.

  • VPN Connection Problems:

    • Problem: Remote users cannot connect to the VPN server on the MikroTik.
    • Solution:
      • Verify that the VPN server is enabled and configured correctly on the MikroTik.
      • Check firewall rules on pfSense to ensure VPN traffic is forwarded to the MikroTik.
      • Verify that VPN user accounts are configured correctly.
      • Check the VPN client settings on the remote device.

  • Slow Network Performance:

    • Problem: Network performance is slower than expected.
    • Solution:
      • Check CPU and memory usage on both pfSense and MikroTik.
      • Optimize traffic shaping and QoS settings on the MikroTik.
      • Check for network congestion or bottlenecks.
      • Update firmware on both devices.

By following these troubleshooting tips, you can resolve common issues and ensure a smooth and reliable network operation. Remember to consult the documentation for both pfSense and MikroTik for more detailed information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting up a MikroTik router behind a pfSense firewall is a powerful way to combine security and flexibility in your network. By leveraging the strengths of both systems, you can create a robust and customized network environment that meets your specific needs. Whether you're looking to enhance security, segment your network, or take advantage of MikroTik's advanced features, this setup offers a wide range of possibilities. Remember to follow the configuration steps carefully, explore the advanced use cases, and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. With a little effort, you can create a network that is both secure and efficient. Happy networking, folks!