For a network administrator, especially when managing a backbone router, setting up proper monitoring is crucial. A router that is configured and running isn’t something you can just leave unattended. Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) implement 24/7 monitoring to ensure their routers are operating smoothly. This proactive approach allows for immediate responses to any issues that could disrupt network performance.
Network monitoring also plays a vital role in data collection. Admins need to track bandwidth usage for reporting, verifying service level agreements with ISPs, and understanding client bandwidth consumption patterns. MikroTik provides several built-in tools to facilitate this, including “Graphing” for visual representation of data.
Tool Graphs
The “Graphs” feature within RouterOS provides a basic yet effective way to monitor router parameters and visualize them as graphs. You can access this tool via the Winbox interface by navigating to Tool --> Graphing or through the terminal using the command /tool graphing.
These graphs can be accessed via a web browser by navigating to http://[router_IP_address]/graphs. For example, if your router’s IP is 192.168.128.105, you would access the graphs at http://192.168.128.105/graphs.
By default, the graphing tool doesn’t record any data. Initially, accessing the graphs through a web browser will show no information. You need to configure which parameters to record and set up policies as needed. Let’s start by monitoring traffic on a specific interface, for instance, ether2.
First, configure the global graphing settings in /tools graphing. These settings determine how often the graph data is recorded. Then, navigate to the “Interface Rules” tab and add the interfaces you want to monitor. In this example, add ether2.
After setting up the rules, wait for a short period for data to be collected. Then, access the graphs again through your web browser. You will see a link corresponding to the interface name you configured. Click this link to view the bandwidth graph recorded for that interface.
Besides interface traffic, the graphing tool can also monitor hardware resources such as CPU load, memory usage, and RAM utilization. It can even monitor queues. If you’re familiar with other network monitoring applications, you’ll find the graph presentation quite similar.
The Dude
When it comes to comprehensive network monitoring and visualization, MikroTik offers “The Dude,” a powerful and free network monitoring application. You can download The Dude for free directly from the MikroTik website: http://MikroTik.com.
The Dude can be installed directly on RouterOS (as an .npk package) or on a Windows PC as an executable file (.exe). Once installed on a Windows PC, The Dude can scan your network and visually represent it as a topology map. This visual map significantly simplifies network monitoring and management.
A common implementation is to install The Dude on a central router. This way, the network map is stored centrally on the router. To access this map, you need to install The Dude client application on your PC, ensuring it’s the same version as the server on the router. Beyond monitoring, The Dude allows you to manage and remotely access routers directly from its interface. Features like ping, traceroute, and bandwidth testing can be executed directly on the remote router through The Dude.
The Dude provides alerts, typically by changing the color of a device icon to red when a device is down or experiencing issues. A significant advantage of The Dude is its versatility: it’s not limited to monitoring only MikroTik devices. As long as a device has SNMP enabled, The Dude can monitor and manage it.
SNMP
Now, let’s consider the reverse scenario: Can a MikroTik router be monitored and managed using tools other than The Dude? The answer is yes. MikroTik routers can be monitored by any SNMP-compatible network monitoring application, provided that SNMP is enabled on the MikroTik device.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a standard internet protocol for managing devices on a network. SNMP is widely used for collecting and graphing network data. Applications like The Dude and many others rely on SNMP for device monitoring. To enable SNMP on your MikroTik router, use the command: /snmp set enabled=yes.
After enabling SNMP on the MikroTik router, you need to configure your chosen monitoring application to communicate with it. If you’re using The Dude to monitor a MikroTik router via SNMP, you can add the router as a device by clicking “Add Device.” In the address field, enter the IP address of the router and ensure the “Secure Mode” option is checked.
Once the device is added, double-click on it and verify that its status is “Up.” If the status doesn’t appear or shows as down, go to the “Services” tab and click “Discover.”
To monitor traffic passing through the router, connect the device to the network by adding a “link.” Then, double-click on the link.
In the link properties window, set the “Master Type” to SNMP. Then, select the interface for which you want to monitor traffic. Real-time bandwidth information will then be displayed.
In conclusion, there are multiple methods for effective network monitoring and management within the MikroTik ecosystem. The Dude stands out as a robust and free solution, while the built-in graphing tools and SNMP compatibility offer flexibility for different monitoring needs and setups.
