Description

FlashFig is an application for mass router configuration. It can be used by MikroTik distributors, ISPs, or any other companies who need to apply RouterOS configuration to many routers in the shortest possible time.

FlashFig applies MikroTik RouterOS configuration to any RouterBOARD within 3 seconds. You can perform FlashFig on a batch of routers, the only thing you need is to connect RouterBOARD to a Layer 2 network running FlashFig and to power a FlashFig-enabled RouterBOARD up.

FlashFig only runs on a Windows computer and is available from the downloads page.

All RouterBOARDs support FlashFig mode. It works between a Windows computer running FlashFig and a RouterBOARD in the same broadcast domain (direct Layer 2 Ethernet network connection is required).

FlashFig support is enabled on every new RouterBOARD manufactured since March 2010 by default from the factory. For older models, FlashFig can be enabled via RouterBOOT or from MikroTik RouterOS console - /system routerboard settings set boot-device=flash-boot-once-then-nand or /system routerboard settings set boot-device=flash-boot.

Starting from RouterOS/RouterBOOT v7.16, flash boot mode will be enabled in the same way as from the factory, after every system reset initiated from the software. The same mode will be initiated when you reset router with the reset button, (bootloader version  v7.16 or higher is required). 
Please note that if you press and hold reset button before powering on the router, then the backup booter is used. The backup booter firmware (installed in the factory) must also then be v7.16 or higher. 

FlashFig mode on a brand new RouterBOARD is disabled on further boots only after the first successful user login or successful FlashFig attempt to avoid unwanted reconfiguration at a later time. To use FlashFig a second time on the same router, you need to enable flash-boot in Bootloader settings (this setting will revert to NAND after a successful configuration change OR once any user logs into the board).

If RouterOS reset-configuration command is used later (or configuration reset using the Reset button), FlashFig configuration is loaded. To permanently overwrite, use the Netinstall process and check Apply default configuration or use -r flag in Linux-based command line.

You view FlashFig video tutorial on MikroTik YouTube channel.

FlashFig Example

This is a step-by-step example of how to use the FlashFig process to apply a chosen MikroTik RouterOS configuration to a 'factory fresh' RouterBOARD.

Requirements

The Windows computer must be equipped with the following ports and contain the following files:

  • A working Ethernet port;
  • Valid .rsc file(s) with MikroTik RouterOS configuration similar to an export/import file. In addition to regular configuration commands, it is also possible to re-apply the factory passwords by using the read-only variables $defconfPassword and $defconfWifiPassword (starting from RouterOS 7.10beta8);
  • Always use the latest FlashFig program available from the downloads page;
  • The RouterBOARD has to be in flash-boot mode, if this is the very first boot, nothing needs to be done
Be aware of the text editor's treatment of CR/LF characters and test that the config has no errors when normally applied onto an identical version of RouterOS before applying via FlashFig as run-time errors will not be visible!

Pre-Configuration

Windows Computer
  • Run FlashFig;
  • Prepare .rsc file, .rsc file is regular/import file, it accepts valid MikroTik RouterOS CLI commands. You can create .rsc file with any text editor program (Notepad, Notepad++, Texteditor, TextEdit, Microsoft Word, OpenOffice Writer)

  • Assign Boot Client Address, which should be an address within the same subnet as that configured on the computer's Ethernet interface,

  • Browse for .rsc MikroTik RouterOS configuration file to apply to the RouterBOARD, highlight the file and Select to approve it,

  • Activate FlashFig server, now it is ready to FlashFig. Note, any RouterBOARD will be FlashFig'ed within the network when they are powered on with boot-device configured to flash-boot or flash-boot-once-then-nand,

RouterBOARD
  • FlashFig mode is enabled on every RouterBOARD from the factory by default, which means no configuration is required on RouterBOARD.
  • If FlashFig is not enabled on your router, access the RouterBOARD with WinBox/Console and change the boot-device to flash-boot or flash-boot-once-then-nand:
system/routerboard/settings/set boot-device=flash-boot

Or use a more preferable option, for a single boot flash-boot:

system/routerboard/settings/set boot-device=flash-boot-once-then-nand

Your router is now ready for FlashFig.

Connect

Connect the Boot port of RouterBOARD and FlashFig computer to the same Local Area Network.

Run FlashFig

  • Plug-in power for RouterBOARD
  • Check the status on FlashFig program,

Messages log shows "FlashFigged" and RouterBOARD should repeatedly make the morse code sound for the character "/" ("_.._." and flash the LED - it is now safe to unplug / power down the router.

  • FlashFig configuration was applied to the RouterBOARD and it is ready to be used in production with this new config.

Troubleshoot

FlashFig can not find a router

If between a PC and a router there is another device (a router/switch), ensure that for this device:

  • DHCP server is disabled;
  • if used ports are in a bridge, set bridge protocol-mode to none;
  • HW-offload for used ports is disabled.

FlashFig finds a router, flashing is not done (no TFTP request)

Ensure that the computer on which FlashFig is running has only one network interface active.

FlashFig is done, but a configuration is not applied

If all procedures went successfully, but RouterOS configuration from .rsc file is not applied, add startup delay to *.rsc configuration file. The reason might be, that the configuration script is executed before all interfaces boots up.

Not enough flash space, ignoring

FlashFig configuration maximum file size is up to 4000 bytes, otherwise program will return an error as above.

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