🔥 Creating a Hotspot on Your MikroTik Device

This guide explains how to create a hotspot on your MikroTik device using ISPMan. We support two types of hotspot configurations depending on your device's capabilities.

ℹ️ Two Hotspot Types Available

Choose the appropriate type based on your MikroTik device capabilities:

Hotspot with Wireless Interface: For devices that support wireless broadcasting (have wireless or wifiwave2 package)
Hotspot Server Only: For devices that don't support wireless broadcasting (no wireless package installed)

📋 Prerequisites

Before creating a hotspot, ensure:

Your MikroTik device is successfully onboarded to ISPMan
Device is online and accessible
You have at least one bridge configured (for internet connectivity)
For wireless hotspots: Device has wireless capability and appropriate package installed
You have created a Hotspot Configuration in your ISP settings

🎯 Method 1: Hotspot with Wireless Interface

Use this method when your MikroTik device supports wireless broadcasting

✓ Best for:

High-end MikroTik devices with built-in wireless (e.g., hAP ac, RB series with wireless)
Devices with wifiwave2 package (newer ARM/ARM64 devices)
Devices with wireless package (older x86 devices)

Steps:

Navigate to Device Page
Go to Devices → Select your MikroTik device
Click "Setup Hotspot" Button
On the device page, locate and click the "+ Hotspot" button in the setup actions section
Fill in Hotspot Details
In the modal that appears, provide the following information:
- Hotspot Name: A unique name for your hotspot (e.g., "Main-Cafe-WiFi")
- Hotspot Configuration: Select from your pre-configured hotspot settings
- Internet Enabled Bridge: Choose the bridge that has internet connectivity (usually "br-ispman" or "bridge-wan")
- WiFi Master Interface: Select the wireless interface that will broadcast the WiFi signal
  This will be automatically detected based on your device's wireless capability
- Hotspot Network: The network address for your hotspot (e.g., "192.168.100.0")
- CIDR: Network size (typically 22-24 for small to medium hotspots)
Review Setup Tasks
Click "Next" to review all tasks that will be performed:
- • Create hotspot bridge and wireless interface
- • Configure IP addressing and DHCP
- • Set up hotspot server with captive portal
- • Apply firewall rules and NAT configuration
Run Setup
Click "Run" and wait for the setup to complete. This typically takes 30-60 seconds.

🖥️ Method 2: Hotspot Server Only

Use this method when your MikroTik device does NOT support wireless broadcasting

⚠️ Best for:

MikroTik devices without built-in wireless (e.g., RB750, RB450, CCR series, hex series)
Devices where wireless package is not installed or not available
Setups with external access points connected to MikroTik router
Note: CCR and hex are high-performance routers but lack wireless capability

Steps:

Navigate to Device Page
Go to Devices → Select your MikroTik device
Click "Setup Hotspot Server" Button
On the device page, locate and click the "+ Hotspot Server" button
Fill in Hotspot Server Details
Provide the following information:
- Hotspot Name: A unique name for your hotspot server
- Hotspot Configuration: Select from your pre-configured hotspot settings
- Internet Enabled Bridge: Choose the bridge with internet connectivity
- Interface (Which has Access Point): Select the interface where your external access point is connected
  This is the interface where users will connect to get hotspot authentication
- Hotspot Network: The network address for your hotspot (e.g., "192.168.100.0")
- CIDR: Network size (typically 22-24)
Review Setup Tasks
Click "Next" to review all tasks
Run Setup
Click "Run" and wait for completion

🔍 Verification

After creating your hotspot, verify it's working correctly:

Check that the hotspot appears in the "Hotspots" section on your device page
For wireless hotspots: Scan for WiFi networks and confirm your SSID is broadcasting
Try connecting a test device to the hotspot
Verify the captive portal login page appears
Test authentication with a hotspot user account

💡 Pro Tips

Always use non-overlapping network ranges for different hotspots
Consider using a /24 CIDR for smaller deployments (254 usable addresses)
Create hotspot configurations before setting up devices for faster deployment
Test hotspot functionality immediately after creation to catch any issues early
For server-only hotspots, ensure your external access point is properly configured

❓ Troubleshooting

Issue: "No WiFi Master Interface found"

→ Your device doesn't support wireless. Use the "Hotspot Server Only" method instead.

Issue: "IP Pool already exists"

→ The network range you selected is already in use. Choose a different network address.

Issue: "Failed to create hotspot"

→ Check device connectivity, ensure sufficient resources, and verify bridge configuration.

Need help? Contact support via the chat icon or email us at [email protected].