These rules are essential for allowing VPN traffic to reach your router and for clients to access the internet through it.
L2TP alone does not provide encryption. For a secure "L2TP/IPsec" setup, you must configure the IPsec layer. : Define modern encryption standards. IP > IPsec > Profiles > + Hash Algorithms : sha256 Encryption Algorithms : aes-256 DH Group : modp2048 . IPsec Proposal : IP > IPsec > Proposals > + (or edit default ).
By carefully following the steps outlined in this article, you'll be able to successfully set up a Mikrotik L2TP server and enjoy secure and private communication over the internet.
/ip firewall filter add chain=forward src-address=192.168.100.0/24 dst-address=192.168.88.0/24 action=accept comment="VPN to LAN" mikrotik l2tp server setup full
You need a dedicated range of IP addresses to assign to your remote VPN clients. This prevents IP conflicts with your local LAN. Open and navigate to IP > Pool . Click the + (Add) button. Set Name to vpn-pool .
Check firewall hits:
Enable the L2TP server and bind it to your WAN interface (or leave "default" to listen on all). These rules are essential for allowing VPN traffic
To set up an L2TP server on your Mikrotik router, follow these steps:
The default port for L2TP is 1701.
In the Authentication settings, enter the Shared Secret (IPsec Pre-shared key). Save and toggle the connection switch to active. Troubleshooting Common Issues : Define modern encryption standards
/ip pool add name=l2tp-pool ranges=192.168.100.2-192.168.100.254
Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) combined with IPsec (IP Security) remains one of the most reliable, compatible, and secure ways to establish Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections. It is natively supported by almost every major operating system, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, eliminating the need for third-party client software.
The profile defines the local gateway and the pool from which clients receive their IPs. : PPP > Profiles Command :
Setting up a provides a secure, encrypted tunnel for remote access, typically fortified with IPsec for industrial-grade data protection. This guide provides a full, step-by-step walkthrough to configure your MikroTik router as a VPN hub. Prerequisites A public IP address on your MikroTik WAN interface. Firewall access to UDP ports 500, 1701, and 4500 . Step 1: Create an IP Pool
Version: RouterOS 7.14+ | Last tested: October 2025