Backing up information and files is one of the efficient and useful ways to protect essential data when using operating systems. Despite the ever-increasing progress of computer hardware and software, hardware and software malfunctions are still annoying problems that most users experience. Hardware failure, software malfunction, OS reset, sudden power outage, and Inexperience in using the OS and software are factors that can lead to the loss of important files and data. Therefore, to prevent the loss of important files, making backup copies of important files, such as configuration files, etc., should regularly be the priority of system and network administrators.
Mikrotik is one of the popular operating systems that allows the backup and Restore of important data, such as the Mikrotik configuration file, with a few simple clicks without the need for manual settings. Mikrotik has many valuable features that make life easier for users and allow users to experience a new world of technology; For this reason, Mikrotik has managed to persuade many users to buy Mikrotik VPS and gain their loyalty to Mikrotik.
Backing up and restoring Mikrotik configuration files makes it possible to restart a router that has suffered a hardware failure and is down using a backup copy of the failed router. By making a backup copy of the failed router configuration, buying a new Mikrotik router, and restoring the backup files of the failed router, you can run the previous router that failed for any reason and not regret losing the router and the configuration you adjust.
In addition, backing up the Mikrotik configuration file will help you recover your password in case you forget your password. Therefore, learning how to back up and restore Mikrotik configuration is essential for network and router administrators. Winbox, which we have already talked about, is a tool that facilitates and accelerates the backup and restoration of the Mikrotik configuration. Therefore, to save your time, in this article, we will teach you how to backup and restore the Mikrotik configuration file through Winbox, which is the simplest method, so that you can keep your important files safe.
Mikrotik configuration backup process through GUI
Using the graphical user interface for some users, especially beginners, is an easier way to apply settings. We will teach you how to use the Winbox graphical user interface to back up the Mikrotik configuration.
1. Connect to the Mikrotik router using Winbox with Admin privileges.
2. After entering the Mikrotik router by Winbox, find the “File” item on the left side and click on it to open the File List window.
3. Select the “Backup” option.
4. In the name input field, specify a name for the Mikrotik backup file. You can specify a password for the backup file to increase the security of the backup file you create( It is Optional). For this, set a strong and safe password in the Password field to prevent other people from accessing the Mikrotik configuration backup file.
The encryption field is used to select the encryption options to encrypt the backup file, which we recommend to accept the default selection. You can also skip encryption by checking the check box next to “Don’t Encrypt” because if you plan to use the backup file to recover the password, you should not encrypt the backup file. Finally, click on the “Backup” option.
5. In the file list window, you will see the backup file you just created. Select the backup file you just created and then right-click to download it. Select the “Download” option from the drop-down menu.
Select the desired folder and path where you want the downloaded backup file to be saved, then click “Ok.”
Go to the location where you saved the backup file and run the backup file.
There is an easier way to copy and download the desired backup file, drag it from the Winbox environment, and drop it in the desired location on your PC.
To delete the backup file you created from Mikrotik, select it and click on the red icon in the top bar.
Mikrotik configuration backup process through CLI
Some users are interested in applying settings through the Mikrotik command prompt as an alternative method; in this part of the article, we will teach how to back up the Mikrotik configuration file by running commands.
After connecting to the Mikrotik router through Winbox, click the “New terminal” option.
Run the following commands with Admin privileges:
[admin@MikroTik] > system backup save name=MikroTikBackup dont-encrypt=yesSaving system configuration
Configuration backup saved
[admin@MikroTik] >Note: You can also run theexport file= desired backup name.cfgcommand in the Winbox terminal environment to create a backup file of the Mikrotik configuration with the extension .rsc Text File and, like the GUI method, find the backup file through the “File” section and drag it from the Winbox environment and drop it into the desired folder on your PC.
Restoring MikroTik configuration backup file using GUI
Creating a Mikrotik configuration backup file has many advantages; one of its most common uses is configuring a new router. The steps to restore Mikrotik’s backup file through Winbox GUI are not complicated at all, you will come to this conclusion in the following. To restore the Mikrotik support file, follow the instructions below.
1. Connect to the Mikrotik router through Winbox.
2. Access the unconfigured router by selecting the “Neighbors” tab. (Check if the OS version of the previous router and the unconfigured router are the same.)
3. Select the “File” option.
4. Select the “Upload” option in the File List window.
5. Select the backup file and click on “open.”
Note: You can drag the backup file from your PC to the File list window to transfer the backup file to the File window.
6. Therefore, the backup file you created will be available in the new router, and now to restore it, you must select the support file and click on the “Restore” option.
7. By selecting the Restore option, if you have set a password for the backup file, you will be asked for the password of the backup file. Therefore, enter the password of the backup file in the Password field. Then click on “Restore.”
Answer” yes” to the request to confirm the restore configuration and reboot.
As a result, you will be disconnected from your router, and it will take some time for the router to reboot.
Click on the “Refresh” button to see your router with a new identity because the new router restores the configuration from the backup file.
By selecting the “connect” option, you will receive the previous router configuration when logging into your new Mikrotik router.
Congratulations, you have successfully restored the backup configuration.
Restoring MikroTik configuration backup file using CLI
The Mikrotik command prompt is an ideal method for some users to restore the Mikrotik configuration backup file; here, you will learn how to restore the Mikrotik configuration backup file using the command line. After connecting to the new router using Winbox and selecting New terminal, run the following commands:
[admin@MikroTik] > system backup load name=MikroTikBackuppassword:
Restore and reboot? [y/N]: y
Restoring system configuration
System configuration restored, rebooting now
[admin@MikroTik] >FAQ
Why can't I connect ether 1 between the old and new Mikrotik router?
Since mac addresses are changed when restoring the backup file of the previous router in a new Mikrotik router, the similarity of the mac addresses in ether1 prevents communication between the old and new router. This problem occurs when you try to configure a new router using the backup file of the previous Mikrotik router. Select the Reset Mac Address button in the interface<ether1> section and the General tab to return to the default mac address settings.
What is the difference between backup and export in Mikrotik?
By backing up the Mikrotik RouterOS configuration, you can use the router configuration in the new router. Backup Creates a binary file of the entire configuration. In addition, when you forget the password of the backup file, it is helpful in password recovery, but the export file cannot be used to recover passwords. Export Generates a text file with a human-readable representation of the configuration, and it cannot be expected to export a decrypted certificate.
Conclusion
Learning how to back up and restore the Mikrotik configuration backup file is very important for Mikrotik router and network administrators to keep the Mikrotik server safe and protect important information on the Mikrotik server. In this article, we talked about how to backup and restore Mikrotik configuration backup file using Winbox, and you learned how to backup and restore Mikrotik configuration backup file through GUI and Command line. We hope that by following the instructions in this article, you were able to successfully back up and restore the Mikrotik configuration backup file and manage the Mikrotik configuration efficiently.
If you encounter any problems or have any questions, let us know in the comments section so we can respond as soon as possible.
