MikroTik ikev2 pre shared key

    MikroTik RouterOS is a versatile and powerful operating system that provides networking capabilities for businesses and individuals alike. One of the many features offered by RouterOS is the Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (IKEv2) protocol, which is a secure and efficient way to establish Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections. However, setting up a VPN using IKEv2 requires a pre-shared key (PSK) that is unique to each connection. In this article, we will discuss how to generate a unique PSK for MikroTik IKEv2 VPN connections.

Why use a unique pre-shared key?

A pre-shared key is a password that is shared between two parties to authenticate and encrypt their communication. In the case of a MikroTik IKEv2 VPN connection, the PSK is used to establish a secure connection between the client and server. However, using the same PSK for multiple connections can be a security risk, as it can make it easier for an attacker to intercept or brute-force the key. Therefore, it is recommended to use a unique PSK for each connection to increase security.

Generating a unique pre-shared key

MikroTik RouterOS provides several ways to generate a unique PSK for IKEv2 VPN connections. One way is to use the built-in key generator, which can be accessed through the RouterOS command-line interface (CLI). To generate a new key, follow these steps:

Step 1: Log in to the RouterOS CLI.

Step 2: Enter the following command to access the key generator:

bash

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/system identity print

Step 3: Copy the output of the "name" parameter, which will be used as the input for the key generator.

Step 4: Enter the following command to generate a new key:

bash

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/tool eap-tls generate-secret <name>

Replace <name> with the output of the "name" parameter from Step 3.

Step 5: The key generator will output a new PSK, which can be used for the IKEv2 VPN connection.

Alternatively, you can generate a PSK using a third-party tool, such as OpenSSL or PuTTYgen. To generate a key using OpenSSL, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and install OpenSSL on your computer.

Step 2: Open the OpenSSL command prompt.

Step 3: Enter the following command to generate a new PSK:

perl

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openssl rand -hex 64

This will generate a random 64-character hexadecimal string, which can be used as the PSK.

Step 4: Copy the output of the command, and use it as the PSK for the MikroTik IKEv2 VPN connection.

Configuring the pre-shared key in MikroTik RouterOS

Once you have generated a unique PSK, you need to configure it in the MikroTik RouterOS. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Log in to the RouterOS WebFig interface.

Step 2: Click on the "PPP" menu, and then click on the "Profiles" submenu.

Step 3: Create a new profile, or edit an existing one, for the IKEv2 VPN connection.

Step 4: In the "Authentication" tab, select "pre-shared-key" as the authentication method.

Step 5: Enter the PSK that you generated in the previous section.

Step 6: Save the profile, and apply it to the IKEv2 VPN connection.