How to Create Multiple SSIDs on Mikrotik

SSIDs is an abbreviation for the term ‘Service Set Identifier’ and an essential service for identifying wireless networks. The SSID is the name you see whenever you turn on your Wi-Fi in an area with a wireless internet connection. you can Create Multiple SSIDs on Mikrotik router to use different WiFi names for Guest and Visitors.

You can create multiple SSIDs on your router to help you efficiently monitor and administer your wireless networks. The procedures below work seamlessly on a Mikrotik RB2011UiAS-2HnD-IN model, but you can replicate the process on other Mikrotik router boards.

Requirements for Creating Multiple SSIDs on Mikrotik

The processes below don’t require technical networking expertise. Ensure you check the following items off your checklist, and you will be ready to start configuring your router board.

Mikrotik router running a RouterOS firmware.
Computer with Winbox software.
Basic understanding of networking concepts.

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Process for Creating Multiple SSIDs Using Virtual Interfaces

It is a four-step process where you create a virtual interface, generate security keys, assign security profiles, and add the configuration to your default bridge.

Step 1: Creating Virtual Interfaces

Follow the steps below to create multiple virtual interfaces on your router board.

Login into your routerOS using the Winbox software application.
The next step is locating the Wireless tab on the left and clicking on it.
Locate the Interfaces tab at the top Wireless Tables windows before clicking on it.
Select your preferred wireless access point before splitting it into multiple SSIDs. (In my case that is wlan1.)
You will see an Add[+] icon at the top left of the Interfaces tab that you can use to create a virtual interface.
Click on the Virtual option on the drop-down menu.
A New Interface window will pop up, and you can click on the Wireless
Ensure the Mode is set to “ap bridge” before entering the name of your new wireless access point in the SSID (In my case, the new SSID is Guest.)
Click on Apply and OK afterward to save the new SSID.
Repeat steps 6-9 to create another new SSID. (I used Kidsas my second SSID name.)
The Master Interface field should be set to the wireless access point you wish to split.

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Step 2: Creating Security Profiles for the New SSIDs

Follow the prompts below to create the security keys for accessing the news SSIDs.

Click on the Wireless tab on the left before clicking on the Security Profiles tab at the top of the Wireless Tables
Click on the blue Add [+] icon at the top left and wait for the Security Profile window to pop up.
Click on the General tab before entering the name of the first SSID on the Name field (i.e. Guest).
Ensure the Mode is set to ‘dynamic keys’.
Locate the Authentication Types section and click on the WPA PSK (for older devices with Wi-Fi access) and WPA2 PSK
Enter your preferred password for the ‘Guest’ SSID in the WPA Pre-Shared Key and WPA2 Pre-Shared Key
Click Apply before clicking on OK to save the security configuration.
Repeat steps 3-7 to set the security profile for your second SSID (i.e. Kids).

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Step 3: Assigning Security Profiles to the New SSID

You can assign the security profiles to your new SSID by following the prompts below.

Click on the Wireless tab on the left to access the Wireless Tables
Select the new SSID access points by clicking on them. The new SSID access points appeared as wlan2 and wlan3 in my case.
Click on the wlan2 and locate the Security Profile Click on the drop-down menu and select the corresponding profile, in my case, wlan2 corresponds to the Guest profile, whereas wlan3 corresponds to Kid’s profile.
Click the Apply button before clicking OK to save the SSID configuration.
Repeat steps 3-4 to assign wlan3 its corresponding profile.
You can also double-click on the wlan2 and wlan3 profile to rename it. Renaming the interfaces helps keep things neat for easy identification and monitoring.
Click on the General tab of the Interface window before editing the Name field to your corresponding SSID name. (In my case, I used GuestAp and KidsAp.)

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Step 4: Adding the New SSID Access Points to the Default Bridge

The last step is adding the new SSID access points to your default bridge to enable them to access the internet or network resources. Follow the prompts below to include the multiple SSIDs to your default bridge.

Click on the Bridge tab on the left to access the Bridge interface window.
Click on the Ports tab to access the Ports window.
Click on the blue Add [+] icon at the top left of the Bridge interface window.
Wait for the New Bridge Portwindow to pop up before clicking on the General
Locate the Interface field before clicking on the drop-down option next to it.
Select the first new access point (i.e. GuestAp) and ensure the Bridgefield is set to your default bridge name.
Click the Apply and OK buttons afterward to save the configuration.
Repeat steps 4-6 to add the second access point to your default bridge.

Benefits of Creating Multiple SSIDs

Here is why it is important to Create Multiple SSIDs on Mikrotik network infrastructure:

Multiple SSIDs help segregate your wireless network. This is essential if you want to isolate sensitive devices/networks from insecure connections such as guest networks and IoT appliances.
It helps reduce the attack surface on your network.

The process can help you utilize the guest feature where you can limit the permission level on different devices.

You can use multiple SSIDs to prioritize your traffic using QoS.
The setup is helpful if you want to separate VLANS traffic based on SSID and functionality (E.g. home and work networks).
It helps simplify monitoring and troubleshooting of your networks.

Conclusion

Mikrotik router boards are ideal for creating multiple SSIDs because of their advanced processor and RAM capacities. The Mikrotik RB2011UiAS-2HnD-IN, for example, boasts an AR8327 (600 MHz) processor and 128 MB RAM, making it possible to handle heavy traffic on your network. Create Multiple SSIDs on the Mikrotik router is also useful to avoid sharing your main wifi name with guests and visitors while you can create a different name for guest networks.