Setting Up a DNS Server on MikroTik Router: A Step-by-Step Guide

MikroTik routers are known for their versatility and robust functionality, including the ability to configure a DNS server for your network. Using MikroTik’s RouterOS, you can set up a local DNS server to handle domain name resolution within your network, improve network performance, and provide enhanced security. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up a DNS server on your MikroTik router.

Step 1: Access the MikroTik Router

To begin, you need to access your MikroTik router’s configuration interface. This can be done using Winbox, WebFig, or through the terminal (SSH). For this guide, we’ll assume you are using Winbox, which is the most common method.

1. Open Winbox and connect to your MikroTik router using the router's IP address or MAC address.
2. Enter your login credentials and click "Connect."

Step 2: Configure the DNS Settings

Once you have logged into the MikroTik router, you’ll need to set up the DNS settings. The DNS configuration allows the router to resolve domain names into IP addresses.

1. In the Winbox interface, navigate to IP > DNS.
2. In the DNS window, check the box labeled Allow Remote Requests. This enables your router to act as a DNS server for other devices on the network.
3. In the Servers section, add your preferred DNS server addresses. You can use public DNS services like Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1), or you can specify internal DNS servers if you are running a local DNS infrastructure.

Step 3: Configure Caching for Faster Performance

MikroTik’s DNS server can cache resolved domain names, which speeds up the resolution process for frequently accessed domains. To enable DNS caching:

1. In the same DNS settings window, go to the Cache tab.
2. Set the Max TTL (Time to Live) value. This determines how long the DNS records will be stored in the cache. A higher TTL means faster resolution for frequently visited websites but may result in outdated records if DNS records change.

Step 4: Set Up DNS Forwarding

If you want your MikroTik router to forward DNS requests to an external server when it cannot resolve them locally, configure DNS forwarding:

1. In the DNS settings window, navigate to the Static tab.
2. Add a new static DNS entry if you need to forward specific domains to a particular DNS server.
3. You can also configure DNS Forwarding under IP > Firewall to forward requests to external DNS servers based on certain rules.

Step 5: Apply Firewall Rules (Optional)

If you want to restrict or monitor DNS traffic, you can add firewall rules to your MikroTik router. This allows you to control access to the DNS service and improve network security.

1. Go to IP > Firewall.
2. Under the Filter Rules tab, click Add New.
3. Set up rules to allow or block DNS queries from specific networks or IP addresses, ensuring only trusted devices use your DNS server.

Step 6: Test the DNS Configuration

After completing the setup, it’s important to test your DNS configuration to ensure it is working correctly:

1. Open a terminal window (Command Prompt or Terminal on a connected computer).
2. Use the nslookup or dig command to check the DNS resolution. For example: nslookup www.example.com
3. If the query returns an IP address, your DNS server is functioning correctly.

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