One of the best features in WiFi router creates a virtual wireless access point to avoid share the main WiFi password with guests. learn step-to-step How to set up Guest WiFi in Mikrotik AP with virtual SSIDs using multiple WiFi names.
How to set up Guest WiFi in Mikrotik AP
MikroTik is one of the trusted and my favorite WiFi AP because of its excellent router OS. Setting up a guest wifi network is a secure and smart way to keep protect own WiFi avoiding share the main WiFi password with the guest. The MikroTik routers OS having a great feature that can create multiple SSID with VLAN separations.
We have already post Mikrotik Capsman controller setup and configuration which is an excellent wifi controller. You can create more than one virtual SSID to create a WIFi name for the different departments with isolation features. In this post, we will describe step by step how to set up guest WiFi in MikroTik AP.
To add a second WiFi name in the Mikrotik router need to access the Router OS using WInbox utility. Follow the steps to configure multiple virtual SSID in the MikroTik Router.
Connect the MikroTik router and log in with Winbox configuration utility.
Add Virtual AP in MikroTik Wireless Router to Set up guest WiFi
Now create the Virtual SSID for the different networks in office and home.
Go to Wireless from the left side menu.
Wireless Tables: Interface
Click (+) Plus button and select the Virtual option as shown below image.
Configure WiFi name for Second Guest WiFi Network
Virtual AP is the best option to keep private your personal WiFi network while sharing WiFi internet with the guest.
EXP- you can create Virtual Access points for your Kids WiFi with limited time and speed. In the office, you can create multiple SSID names like Manage WIFi, Accounts WIFI, Sales WiFi. While setting up guest wifi in Mikrotik always make Virtual ap isolate to protect your private data.
Mode: Ap Bridge
SSID: Guest WiFi (give the WiFi name for second WiFi Network)
If you are using VLAN network to separate networks the use the VLAN ID to make guest wifi with VLAN.
Click Apply and OK button to save Virtual SSID.
Configure Password for Guest WiFi Network
It is very important to set up the wifi password to create another network secured.
To set the password for Multiple WiFi SSIDs follow the steps.
Go to Wireless-
Wireless Tables – Security Profiles tab
Click + Button to create a new security profile for Mikrotik Virtual AP.
New Security Profile
General:
Name: Guest (type the security profile name you to identify while providing to virtual AP network)
Mode: dynamic keys
Authentication Type: WPA PSK / WPA2PSK (recommended)
Unicast Ciphers: aes ccm.
Group Ciphers: aes ccm.
WPA Pre-Shared Key: type the WiFi password for VAP.
WPA2 Pre-Shared Key: Type the Password again.
Click Apply and OK button to save.
Select the Security in Virtual WiFi Network
You must be assigned a new security profile to each virtual wireless network you have added in the router.
Follow the picture showing two ssid in the interface.
1: Go to Wireless- Interface
Click the Multiple SSID list as shown below image to assign wifi security profile.
2: Double click on Virtual AP (Wlan2, Wlan3)
3: Security Profile: Select the security profile created. Click the arrow to choose from multiple security profiles.
Click Apply and OK button to save settings.
Now go to Mobile/laptop WiFi and check the WiFi network showing more than one from the single Mikrotik Router.
If you are using the Capsman controller to manage all MikroTik devices than you can also configure Mikrotik capsman multiple SSID directly in the controller instead of adding one by one in each Mikrotik WiFi.
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