Sorry – I couldn’t resist the snazzy title photo.Real world version coming up… this old router was given to me by a friend many YEARS ago and it has sat in a cupboard gathering dust – he was done with it when he gave it to me for free!!! This afternoon, pondering about how my (fairly well shielded being cave-based) office could do with a WiFi router behind my desk with a few Ethernet ports and a 2.4Ghz WiFi access point – I’m currently using a network switch attached to the incoming Ethernet cable – and a cheap Chinese access point… no info so if the latter gives up I would not have a clue why.I don’t know how this device came to my attention, I was rummaging about when I spotted it in a corner, covered as it was in dust – I could not even remember how to factory reset it, at which point I got the brilliant idea of asking ChatGPT for help.
Within half an hour tops, we had it set up as a router (no need for other modes) with (very importantly) no DHCP – on my network.Minutes later I had a working 2.4Ghz WiFi access point.Why only 2.4Ghz? Because the vast majority of the IOT gadgets I come across only handle 2.4Ghz.
We made the WAN input into another LAN which then gave me my 1Gbps LAN input, 4 available 1Gbps LAN ports and 5 100Mbps LAN ports – the latter again far more than IOT gadgets need.I have 2 PCs in here that benefit from 1Gbps LAN of course… If you come across one of these – don’t throw it in the bin – a quick clean up with Servisol foam cleanser brought mine back to showroom shine and considering I know ZILCH sbout WINBOX – the PC (etc) program used to set up the router – but ChatGPT guided me quickly though the lot like an old master.Once the fear went away I was aghast at the things you CAN do with these Mikrotik routers – but I settled for the basics as that’s all I need.
The router takes 10-28v for power and provides POE if wanted.In Winbox, the latest 2026 firmware was offered for the router in LTS, stable or beta as required… after all this time! I hope someone finds this useful.Here’s the ACTUAL router – not bad for an old piece of junk and working perfectly.
As I understand it, MikroTik are well respected so I should be able to count on this – so just short article but someone might just benefit as I have.OH, I just spotted this – a USB 3 port on the front.NO plastic here, this is all metal so well shielded, too.
In operation on my desk, it runs COLD – marvellous.
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