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IPsec Configuration

Overview

This guide explains how to configure an IPsec VPN tunnel between RouterOS and CONTROL. The configuration process involves setting up both endpoints to establish a secure site-to-site connection.

Part 1: RouterOS Configuration

Initial Access

  1. Log in to RouterOS using your default credentials
  2. Navigate to IP → IPsec in the left-side menu

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Step 1: Configure Profiles (Phase 1)

The profile defines Phase 1 parameters for the IPsec connection.

  1. Click the Profiles tab in the center panel
  2. Click Add New to create a new profile

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  1. Configure the following Phase 1 parameters:

    • Name: Enter a descriptive name to identify the profile (e.g., "profile-to-ctl01.dev")
    • Hash Algorithms: Select a hash algorithm that matches the configuration on the remote endpoint
    • Encryption Algorithm: Choose an encryption algorithm that matches the remote endpoint configuration
    • Lifetime: Leave the default value (measured in seconds)
    • NAT Traversal: Enable this option if the router is behind NAT
    • DPD Interval: Leave the default value for Dead Peer Detection and note this number
    • DPD Maximum Failures: Leave the default value

  2. Click Apply, then click OK

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Step 2: Configure Peers

The peer configuration defines the remote VPN endpoint.

  1. Click the Peers tab
  2. Click Add New

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  1. Configure the following fields:

    • Name: Enter a name to identify the remote peer
    • Address: Enter the remote public IP address (e.g., 35.35.35.22/32)
    • Profile: Select the profile created in Step 1
    • Exchange Mode: Select the exchange mode (IKE2 is recommended)

  2. Click Apply, then click OK

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Step 3: Configure Identities

The identities configuration defines authentication credentials.

  1. Click the Identities tab
  2. Click Add New

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  1. Configure the following fields:

    • Peer: Select the peer configured in Step 2
    • Auth. Method: Select "pre shared key"
    • Secret: Enter the pre-shared key that will be configured on both endpoints

  2. Click Apply, then click OK

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Step 4: Configure Proposals (Phase 2)

The proposal defines Phase 2 parameters for the IPsec connection.

  1. Click the Proposals tab
  2. Click Add New

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  1. Configure the following Phase 2 parameters:

    • Name: Enter a name to identify this proposal
    • Auth. Algorithms: Select the authentication algorithm to be used on both endpoints
    • Encr. Algorithms: Select the encryption algorithm to be used on both endpoints
    • Lifetime: Set the lifetime for Phase 2
    • PFS Group: Select the Diffie-Hellman group for Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS). This determines the session key generation during key exchange

  2. Click Apply, then click OK

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Step 5: Configure Policies

The policy defines which traffic should pass through the VPN tunnel.

  1. Click the Policies tab
  2. Click Add New

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  1. Configure the following fields:

    • Peer: Select the peer configured in Step 2
    • Tunnel: Enable this option to establish the tunnel between both sites
    • Src. Address: Enter the local IP address or network that will pass through the tunnel
    • Dst. Address: Enter the remote IP address or network that will be received from the other end
    • Level: Select "unique"
    • Proposal: Select the proposal created in Step 4

  2. Click Apply, then click OK

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Part 2: CONTROL Configuration

Initial Navigation

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Step 1: Create IPsec Security Service (Phase 1)

  1. Configure the basic information:

    • Name: Enter a name to identify Phase 1
    • Short-name/code: Enter a short identifier for quick reference
    • Organization: Select the organization that will use this connection
    • Type: Select "IPsec Security"

  2. Click Save at the bottom

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  1. Configure the Phase 1 parameters to match your RouterOS configuration:

    • Authentication method: Select "PSK"
    • IKE version: Select "Version 2"
    • Encryption algorithm: Enter "aes256"
    • Integrity algorithm: Enter "sha256" or "sha2_256"
    • Diffie Hellman group (PFS): Enter "modp1024"
    • Lifetime: Enter 1200 (equivalent to 20 minutes)
    • Key negotiation retries: Enter "0"
    • Aggressive Mode: Enable this option

  2. Click Save and close at the bottom

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Step 2: Create IPsec Configuration Service (Phase 2)

  1. In the Services tab, click +Add again to create another service

  2. Configure the basic information:

    • Name: Enter a name to identify Phase 2
    • Short-name/code: Enter a short identifier for quick reference
    • Organization: Select the organization that will use this connection
    • Type: Select "IPsec Configuration"

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  1. Configure the Phase 2 parameters to match your RouterOS configuration:

    • Tunnel type: Select "Tunnel (ESP)"
    • Encryption algorithm: Enter "aes256"
    • Integrity algorithm: Enter "sha256" or "sha2_256"
    • Diffie Hellman group (PFS): Enter "modp1024"
    • Lifetime: Enter 1200 (equivalent to 20 minutes)

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Step 3: Create Association

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  1. Configure the following fields:

    • Name: Enter a name to identify this association
    • Short-name / code: Enter a short identifier for quick reference
    • Type: Leave "IPSec VPN" selected
    • Local gateway type: Leave "Private IP" selected
    • Remote gateway address: Enter the remote public IP address you are connecting to
    • Remote gateway id: Enter the WAN interface IP of the RouterOS device
    • Secret: Enter the pre-shared key (must match the secret configured in RouterOS)
    • Security service: Select the IPsec Security service created in Step 1
    • Configuration service: Select the IPsec Configuration service created in Step 2
    • Server: Select the internal server to use
    • Organization: Select the organization that will use this connection

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  1. Configure the following fields:

    • Name: Enter a name to identify this link
    • Short-name / code: Enter a short identifier
    • Active: Enable this option to activate the link
    • Association: Select the association created in Step 3
    • Local network: Enter the local Zequenze IP address
      • For CONTROL: typically 172.31.255.254/32
      • For GATE: typically 172.31.255.253/32
      • (Verify the correct IP internally before configuring)
    • Remote network: Enter the remote network or IP address that will pass through the tunnel to Zequenze
    • Check services: Select "PING Connectivity test" to validate tunnel communication
    • Check address/hostname: Enter a remote IP address that is always active for connectivity testing (typically the remote gateway, e.g., 192.168.106.154)
    • Organization: Select the organization that will use this VPN connectivity

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Verification and Summary

RouterOS Connection Status

Once the configuration is complete, you should see the connection established in RouterOS as shown below:

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CONTROL Connection Status

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This completes the IPsec VPN tunnel configuration between RouterOS and CONTROL. The tunnel should now be active and passing traffic between the configured networks.

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