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Introduction
Netinstall is a tool designed for Windows operating systems to reinstall for installing and reinstalling MikroTik devices running RouterOS (except for non-MikroTik x86 devices). Netinstall re-formats the device's disk and copies over fresh files on to the system's disk, this can solve multiple issues when your device is not working properly. Always try using Netinstall if you suspect that your device is not working properly. The tool is available for Windows (with a graphical interface) and for Linux (as a command line tool).
In short, the Netinstall procedure goes like this: Connect your PC directly to the boot port (Usually Ether1, the port labeled BOOT or as otherwise indicated in the product manual) of the device you will be reinstalling. Turn on the device while holding the reset button until it shows up in the Netinstall tool.
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Careful. Netinstall re-formats the system's drive, all configuration and saved files will be lost. Netinstall does not erase the RouterOS license key, nor does it reset RouterBOOT related settings, for example, CPU frequency is not changed after reinstalling the device. |
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Instructions for Windows
- Download Netinstall from the downloads page. If you are not sure which version you need, then you can always select the version that is marked as Current (stable);
Download the RouterOS Main package from the downloads page;
Tip You must choose a RouterOS version. You can always select the version that is marked as Current. You must also select the architecture (ARM, MIPS, SMIPS, TILE, etc...), but if you are not sure, then you can download the RouterOS package for ALL architectures, Netinstall will choose the right architecture for you.
Disconnect your computer from WiFi, Ethernet, LTE, or any other type of connectionsconnection! Netinstall will only work on one active interface on your computer, it is highly recommended that you disconnect any other network interfaces in order to be sure that Netinstall will select the right network interface.
Configure a static IP address for your Ethernet interface, open Start, and select Settings:
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Netinstall can run also on a local network, in such case you could skip setting a static IP address, but it is highly recommended that you set a static IP address if you are not familiar with Netinstall. |
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- Connect your device to your computer using an ethernet cable directly (without any other devices in-between), plug the Ethernet cable into your device's Etherboot port. Most commonly, RouterBOARD
- MikroTik devices are able to use Netinstall from their first port (Ether1), or from the port marked with "BOOT".
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Some computers have a network interface (especially USB Ethernet adapters) that tend to create an extra link flap, which is enough for Netinstall to fail to detect a device that is in Etherboot mode. In such a case you can use a switch between your device and your computer or a router in bridge mode to prevent this issue. |
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There are multiple ways how to put your device into Etherboot mode. Make sure you read the Etherboot manual before trying to put the device into this mode. Methods vary between different MikroTik devices. |
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If the installation does not start (progress bar is not moving or no status is shown), then you can try closing the Netinstall application and opening it up again or try to put the device into Etherboot mode again. If you are still unable to get Netinstall working, then you should try using it on a different computer since there might be an operating system's issue that is preventing Netinstall from working properly.
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| Tip |
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When using the Configure script option, it is suggested to introduce a delay before configuration execution. |
Instructions for Linux
The Linux version is a command line tool, which offers nearly the same parameters as the Windows counterpart.
Download the tool from our download page (links not literal):
wget https://download.mikrotik.com/routeros/[VERSION]/netinstall-[VERSION].tar.gzExtract it:
tar -xzf netinstall-[VERSION].tar.gzRun the tool:
./netinstall -a 192.168.0.1 routeros-arm64-[VERSION].npkThe available parameters are as follows:
| Parameter | Meaning |
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| -r | resets the configuration upon reinstallation procedure, optional |
| -k keyfile | provides the device with a license key (key file in .KEY format), optional |
| -s userscript | preconfigures the device with the provided configuration (text file in .RSC format), optional |
-a IP | uses a specific IP address that the Netinstall server will assign to the device, mandatory |
| PACKAGE | specify a list of RouterOS.NPK format packages that Netinstall will try to install on the device, mandatory |
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admin@ubuntu:~$ sudo ./netinstall -a 192.168.88.3 routeros-mipsbe-6.48.1.npk
Using server IP: 192.168.88.2
Starting PXE server
Waiting for RouterBOARD...
PXE client: 01:23:45:67:89:10
Sending image: mips
Discovered RouterBOARD...
Formatting...
Sending package routeros-mipsbe-6.48.1.npk ...
Ready for reboot...
Sent reboot command |
Etherboot
Etherboot mode is a special state for a MikroTik device that allows you to reinstall your device using Netinstall. There are several ways to put your device into Etherboot mode depending on the device you are using.
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