Overview of Bridging

Yaser Rahmati | یاسر رحمتی

Bridging in MikroTik RouterOS involves combining multiple network interfaces into a single logical interface, allowing them to operate as a single network segment. This is useful for creating a unified network, extending network segments, or isolating traffic between different network interfaces.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to bridging in MikroTik RouterOS:

1. Overview of Bridging

Purpose:

  • To create a single broadcast domain across multiple interfaces.

  • To connect different network segments, allowing them to communicate as if they were on the same physical network.

  • To manage traffic flow between interfaces seamlessly.

Components:

  • Bridge: A virtual interface that combines multiple physical interfaces.

  • Bridge Ports: Physical or virtual interfaces added to the bridge.

2. Configuring Bridging in MikroTik

Step 1: Create a Bridge

  1. Access the Router:

    • Connect to your MikroTik router using Winbox, WebFig, or SSH.

  2. Create a New Bridge:

    • Using CLI:

      interface bridge add name=bridge1

      Replace bridge1 with your preferred bridge name.

    • Using Winbox/WebFig:

      • Go to Interfaces -> Bridge.

      • Click + to add a new bridge.

      • Enter the bridge name and click OK.

Step 2: Add Ports to the Bridge

  1. Add Physical Interfaces to the Bridge:

    • Using CLI:

      interface bridge port add bridge=bridge1 interface=ether1
interface bridge port add bridge=bridge1 interface=ether2

      Replace bridge1 with your bridge name and ether1, ether2 with the interfaces to be added.

    • Using Winbox/WebFig:

      • Go to Interfaces -> Bridge.

      • Select the bridge you created and go to the Ports tab.

      • Click + to add a new port.

      • Select the bridge and interface, then click OK.

  2. Add VLAN Interfaces to the Bridge (if needed):

    • Using CLI:

      interface bridge port add bridge=bridge1 interface=vlan10

      Replace vlan10 with the VLAN interface name.

    • Using Winbox/WebFig:

      • Go to Interfaces -> Bridge.

      • Select the bridge and go to the Ports tab.

      • Click + and select the VLAN interface to add.

Step 3: Configure Bridge Settings

  1. Set Bridge Parameters:

    • Using CLI:

      interface bridge set bridge1 arp=proxy-arp
interface bridge set bridge1 protocol-mode=rstp

      Configure ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) and spanning tree protocol as needed.

    • Using Winbox/WebFig:

      • Go to Interfaces -> Bridge.

      • Select the bridge and configure settings such as ARP, protocol mode (e.g., RSTP, MSTP), and forwarding delay.

  2. Enable Spanning Tree Protocol (STP):

    • Using CLI:

      interface bridge set bridge1 protocol-mode=stp

      Choose the spanning tree protocol mode according to your network requirements (e.g., RSTP for Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol).

    • Using Winbox/WebFig:

      • Go to Interfaces -> Bridge -> STP.

      • Configure STP settings as needed.

4. Managing Bridge Traffic

Filtering and Forwarding Rules:

  1. Configure Bridge Filters (if needed):

    • Using CLI:

      interface bridge filter add chain=forward action=drop src-address=192.168.1.0/24

      This example drops traffic from a specific source IP range. Adjust filters based on your needs.

    • Using Winbox/WebFig:

      • Go to Bridge -> Filter.

      • Add rules to filter or control traffic passing through the bridge.

  2. Monitor Bridge Traffic:

    • Using CLI:

      interface bridge port print

      Check the status and statistics of bridge ports.

    • Using Winbox/WebFig:

      • Go to Interfaces -> Bridge -> Ports.

      • View statistics and status of each port.

5. Bridging and IP Configuration

Assigning IP Addresses:

  1. Assign IP Address to the Bridge Interface:

    • Using CLI:

      ip address add address=192.168.1.1/24 interface=bridge1

      Replace 192.168.1.1/24 with your desired IP address and subnet mask.

    • Using Winbox/WebFig:

      • Go to IP -> Addresses.

      • Click + to add a new address.

      • Enter the IP address, subnet mask, and select the bridge interface.

DHCP Configuration:

  1. Configure DHCP Server on the Bridge Interface:

    • Using CLI:

      ip dhcp-server add name=dhcp1 interface=bridge1 address-pool=dhcp_pool

      Configure DHCP server settings for the bridge interface.

    • Using Winbox/WebFig:

      • Go to IP -> DHCP Server.

      • Add a new DHCP server and select the bridge interface.

6. Troubleshooting and Best Practices

Common Issues:

  • Network Loops: Ensure that spanning tree protocols (STP/RSTP) are enabled to prevent network loops.

  • Misconfigured ARP: Ensure ARP settings are configured correctly to avoid ARP conflicts.

  • Connectivity Issues: Verify that all necessary interfaces are added to the bridge and that IP configurations are correct.

Best Practices:

  • Use VLANs: For better network segmentation and management, use VLANs in conjunction with bridging.

  • Monitor Performance: Regularly monitor bridge performance and traffic to ensure optimal operation.

  • Document Configuration: Keep detailed records of bridge configurations and network topology for troubleshooting and maintenance.

By following these steps, you can effectively set up and manage bridging in MikroTik RouterOS, ensuring seamless network integration and communication across multiple interfaces.

Keywords

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