Remote console with a Mikrotik

I was testing the remote console feature on my Mikrotik (RB951G-2HnD). Detailed information posted on Mikrotik wiki on Manual:Port.

If you want to access serial device that can only talk to COM ports and is located somewhere else behind router, then you can use remote-access.

As defined in RFC 2217 RouterOS can transfer data from/to a serial device over TCP connection.

Enabling remote access on Mikrotik is  easy , see the steps below.

PLUG IN THE USB-TO-SERIAL ADAPTER

As soon as you plug in the USB-to-Serial Adapter you will see all available port and how they are used.  

3G Backup on Mikrotik

I was playing with my Mikrotik at home (RB951G-2HnD) trying to learn more stuff and though I should put of some use to my 3G USB dongle (HUAWEI E220). This came in handy as next day my main connection had problems and needed a backup connection to the Internet.

PLUG IN THE MODEM

Plug the 3G USB dongle and check on Mikrotik using the CLI commands "system resource usb print". If it can recognize the 3G modem then you are ok .See the command output below :

Basic RouterOS under VirtualBox

Following my post on Installing Mikrotik RouterOS in VirtualBox, here is some basic configuration setup if you want to play around with RouterOS.
For real hand-on experience better to buy small a Mikrotik (e.g RB750, RB951G-2HnD) , they are very cheap. Check here for the products and prices.

Add more Ethernet Interfaces

One simple way to add more interface is to use USB-to-Ethernet adapters. Once installed check that they appear correctly under host OS Linux.

Installing Mikrotik RouterOS under VirtualBox

MikroTik RouterOS is a Linux based operating system that runs on proprietary hardware (RouterBOARD), or on standard x86-based computers. Some training videos here.

You can install it in VirtualBox and play around with this virtual device.
For real hands on experience with Mikrotiks , better buy the actual equipment since they are cheap.

Go to their website and download the latest Router OS for PC/86

At this time v5.18 is latest stable available version. Also available in torrent.

Create a new Virtual Machine in VirtualBox as per example below.