Here is a list of useful commands we use to debug a Mikrotik router
Backup
To backup a Mikrotik, you should do two types of backup, a config backup and RSC backup. In the Mikrotik CLI run the following commands to backup. A .backup is a binary file with user data and other metrics that might be captured. A .rsc file is a human readable format of the config. The .backup usually can only be restored back onto the same device where a .rsc can be modified to work with another model of Mikrotik router.
/system backup save name=backupname.backup
/export file=backupname.rsc
You will then see the backups in the Files List in the main screen of Winbox. You can then copy to a local directory on your machine.
Safe Mode
Safe mode can be used for changes, when safe mode is enabled the changes are made but not saved. If there is a problem and you are locked out of the router, you can reboot to revert the changes.
Safe mode is entered by pressing CTRL+X. To save changes and exit safe mode, press CTRL+X again. To exit without saving the made changes, press CTRL+D
Routing
Show the route taken to reach a destination where 111.111.111.111 is the destination address (takes a while with BGP)
# Option 1, standard /ip route print where 111.111.111.111 in dst-address # Option 2, faster (requires known ip and /mask). # The IP address and netmask can be taken from a whois e.g. whois 8.8.8.8 and look for CIDR 8.0.0.0/9 /ip route print detail where dst-address=111.111.111.111/11 # Print BGP advertisements to remote peers (e.g. to a border or other core router) /routing bgp advertisements print
When you want to change route for a particular subnet, you would add a static route and change the preference to a higher value
/ip route add dst-address=111.111.111.0/16 gateway=10.0.11.1 bgp-local-pref=200 # Example - Taken from https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:BGP_Case_Studies /ip route print where 111.111.111.111 in dst-address /ip route add dst-address=111.111.111.111/32 gateway=10.0.11.1 bgp-local-pref=200 # Example to remove the route /ip route remove [find address="111.111.111.111/32"]
Bandwidth Tests
You can use the inbuild bandwidth test inside Winbox to test the speed of your internet connection. To access this, go into Winbox, select Tools => Bandwidth Test
Here is a list of public bandwidth servers;
| Name |
Location |
IP Address | Username / Password | Notes |
| Tom Jones | North Idaho - United States | 23.162.144.120 2605:6340:0:1b::4 |
btest / btest | Capable of running bandwidth tests of up to 4Gb/s |