How to Set Up IKEv2 VPN with MikroTik Router: Secure, Reliable, and Mobile-Friendly Connections - A Step-by-Step Guide

 

Step-by-Step configuration of IKEv2 VPN in Mikrotik Router. 

What is IKEv2?

1. Protocol Purpose: IKEv2 is primarily used to negotiate and establish IPsec security associations (SAs) for secure communication channels over the internet. It handles the authentication and key exchange process required to set up these secure channels.

2. Security and Encryption: IKEv2 employs robust security mechanisms such as strong encryption algorithms (e.g., AES), integrity checks (e.g., HMAC-SHA), and secure key exchange protocols (e.g., Diffie-Hellman). These ensure that data transmitted over VPN connections is encrypted and protected from unauthorized access or tampering.

3. Mobility Support: IKEv2 is known for its ability to maintain VPN connections even when devices switch between different networks (e.g., Wi-Fi to mobile data). It supports seamless mobility by quickly re-establishing connections without requiring manual intervention, making it suitable for mobile devices.

4. Reliability: IKEv2 is designed to be reliable, with built-in mechanisms to handle network disruptions and ensure continuous VPN connectivity. This reliability is particularly beneficial in environments where stable and uninterrupted VPN connections are essential.

5. Widely Supported: IKEv2 is supported by many modern operating systems and VPN clients, making it a popular choice for VPN deployments across various platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.

Why Use IKEv2?

• Security: IKEv2 offers strong encryption and authentication mechanisms, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted over VPN connections.

• Ease of Use: Its support for seamless mobility and automatic reconnection makes it user-friendly, especially for mobile devices and remote workers.

• Performance: IKEv2 is known for its efficiency and speed in establishing VPN connections, making it suitable for real-time applications and high-speed networks.

• Compatibility: Being widely supported across different platforms ensures compatibility and ease of integration into existing network infrastructures.

Step by Step Server and Client Configuration of  IKEv2 VPN with MikroTik

    Step 1: Configure IP Addressing

1. Router Configuration: Ensure your MikroTik router is configured with a static IP address on its WAN interface (where it connects to the internet).

1. Local IP Pool: Define an IP address pool that will be assigned to VPN clients. This can be done under IP > Pool. For example:

    /ip pool add name=vpn-pool ranges=192.168.100.10-192.168.100.20

    Step 2: How to Create a IKEv2 VPN Profile

1. IKEv2 Profile: Configure an IKEv2 profile under PPP > Profiles. Here's an example configuration:

   /ppp profile add name=ikev2-profile local-address=192.168.1.1 remote-address=vpn-pool use-encryption=yes \

    use-compression=no only-one=yes change-tcp-mss=yes use-upnp=no \

    use-mpls=no use-authentication=yes \

    use-encryption=yes use-aes-cbc=yes use-aes-ctr=yes \

    use-hmac-sha2=yes

    Step 3: How to Create a VPN Server Interface

1. IKEv2 Server: Set up the IKEv2 server under Interfaces > PPP. Use the following commands:

    /interface l2tp-server server

    set enabled=yes default-profile=ikev2-profile authentication=mschap2

    Step 4: How to Configure Firewall Rules in Mikrotik

1. Firewall Rules: Ensure appropriate firewall rules are in place to allow VPN traffic. You can add rules under IP > Firewall > Filter Rules. For example:

/ip firewall filter

add chain=input action=accept protocol=udp dst-port=500,1701,4500

add chain=input action=accept protocol=ipsec-esp

add chain=input action=accept protocol=ipsec-ah

    Part 2: Setting Up IKEv2 VPN Client on MikroTik Router

            Step 1: Configure IPsec Peers

1. IPsec Peer: Define the remote VPN server details under IP > IPsec > Peers. Example configuration:

                    /ip ipsec peer

                    add address=vpn.example.com exchange-mode=ike2 name=ikev2-vpn passive=yes

            Step 2: Create IPsec Policies

1. IPsec Policies: Set up IPsec policies under IP > IPsec > Policies. Example configuration:

                            /ip ipsec policy

                            add dst-address=0.0.0.0/0 src-address=0.0.0.0/0 template=yes \

                            tunnel=yes sa-src-address=192.168.1.1 sa-dst-address=vpn.example.com \

                            proposal=ikev2-vpn protocol=all

            Step 3: How to Set Up IPsec Identity 

1. IPsec Identity: Configure the identity under IP > IPsec > Identities. Example:

            /ip ipsec identity

            add auth-method=eap certificate="" eap-methods=eap-mschapv2 generate-policy=port-override mode-config=vpn-pool username=your_username_here

            Step 4: Create IPsec Profiles

1. IPsec Profiles: Define IPsec profiles under IP > IPsec > Profiles. Example configuration:

/ip ipsec profile

add dh-group=modp2048 dpd-interval=2m enc-algorithm=aes-256 hash-algorithm=sha256 lifetime=1d

    Part 3: Testing the IKEv2 VPN Connection

1. Connect: Use a VPN client (such as the built-in VPN client on most operating systems or third-party clients like StrongSwan or Shrew Soft VPN Client) to connect to your MikroTik router's IKEv2 VPN server.
2. Verification: Check the logs on both the client and server sides (Log tab in MikroTik RouterOS) to diagnose and troubleshoot any connection issues.

  Conclusion

                        IKEv2 VPNs are ideal for users and organizations needing secure, reliable, and mobile-friendly VPN connections. They are particularly useful for remote workers, mobile devices, and scenarios where network reliability and ease of use are crucial.

1. Strong Security Features: IKEv2 provides robust security features including AES encryption, SHA-2 hashing for integrity, and support for modern cryptographic algorithms. These features ensure that data transmitted over IKEv2 VPN connections remains confidential and tamper-proof, protecting against eavesdropping and data manipulation by unauthorized parties.

1. 2. Seamless Connectivity: IKEv2 supports seamless mobility and quick reconnection, making it suitable for mobile devices that frequently switch between networks. This ensures uninterrupted VPN connectivity and enhances user experience in dynamic network environments.

By following the steps outlined above, you can set up an IKEv2 VPN using a MikroTik router, ensuring your communications are encrypted and your data remains secure over the internet. IKEv2's cybersecurity features make it a reliable choice for safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring privacy in today's interconnected digital landscape.

Above settings has made with some default setting , IP address and your domain name can change with your own. As this is CLI configuration so make sure all configuration is set in router and CLI MikroTik configuration effect will show in every interface so have to do the work carefully. If arise any issue to understanding I am here to clear your concept about this.  Take care.