Beginner’s Guide: Backing Up and Restoring Your MikroTik Configuration Print

Hello again! Emmanuel Corels here from Emmanuel Corels Creatives. In today’s guide, we’re tackling an essential skill every MikroTik user should have: how to back up and restore your router’s configuration. Whether you’re making major changes, upgrading RouterOS, or just want a safety net in case something goes wrong, having a reliable backup is key. Let’s walk through the process step by step.

Why Back Up?

• Safety Net: If you misconfigure your router or need to revert changes, you can quickly restore your previous setup.
• Migration: Backups make it easier to move your configuration to a new device or replicate your setup across multiple routers.
• Peace of Mind: Regular backups mean you’re prepared for any unexpected issues.

Creating a Backup

There are two main ways to back up your MikroTik configuration: using the graphical interface (WinBox/WebFig) or via the command line.

Using WinBox/WebFig

1. Open WinBox and connect to your MikroTik device.
2. Navigate to Files.
3. Click the Backup button. A new backup file (e.g., backup.backup) will appear in the file list.
4. Download the backup file to your computer by dragging it out of WinBox or using the “Download” option.
5. (Optional) If you want to also export the configuration in a human-readable format, click Export. This creates an .rsc file that you can view and edit in a text editor.

Using the CLI

You can create a backup with a single command:

/system backup save name=MyRouterBackup

For an export:

/export file=MyRouterConfig

Then, download the generated file from the Files section.

Restoring Your Configuration

When it’s time to restore your configuration—whether you’re recovering from an issue or migrating to a new router—follow these steps.

Using WinBox/WebFig

1. Upload your backup file to the router using the Files window.
2. Go to System → Backup (or simply click the backup file in Files).
3. Click Restore.
4. The router will prompt you to confirm; once confirmed, it will reboot with the configuration from the backup.

Note: Restoring a backup file overwrites the current configuration, so ensure you’ve saved any new changes you want to keep.

Using the CLI

Upload the backup file to your router’s Files, then run:

/system backup load name=MyRouterBackup.backup

The router will automatically reboot with the restored settings.

Best Practices

• Regular Backups: Set a schedule (using Scheduler scripts) to back up your configuration regularly.
• Store Off-Router: Always save a copy of your backup on a separate computer or cloud storage.
• Export for Review: The exported .rsc file is human-readable and great for reviewing changes or troubleshooting.
• Test Restores: If possible, test restoring on a non-production device so you’re comfortable with the process.

Common Pitfalls

• Overwriting Current Configurations: Restoring a backup completely replaces your current settings. Make sure you really want to revert before doing so.
• Incompatible Backups: Backups are often tied to a specific RouterOS version. Restoring a backup from a different version may cause issues—always check compatibility.
• Missing Files: If you delete the backup file from your router’s Files, you might lose the configuration if no local copy exists. Always keep an off-router backup.

Wrapping It Up

Backing up and restoring your MikroTik configuration is a simple yet vital task that safeguards your network and gives you flexibility when making changes. With just a few clicks (or a short command), you can create a safety net that ensures you’re never caught off guard by an unexpected issue.

Keep experimenting and remember: a little preparation goes a long way in keeping your network running smoothly.

Guided with clarity by
Emmanuel Corels – Admin, Emmanuel Corels Creatives