Mikrotik Bridge Configuration Step by Step

Here, we will talk about how to create a bridge interface in the Mikrotik router. The bridge interface is a virtual interface. It is used to group multiple physical interfaces into a single one. The physical interface which is added to the bridge is called "Bridge port". In that sense, one bridge interface may have one or many bridge ports. Each bridge port of a bridge interface will act as a switch. If any traffic is entered one of these bridge ports, then it will forward the rest of the bridge port of that bridge interface.

In the bridge configurations, the virtual bridge interface will act as the master interface and the bridge port or the physical interface that is connected to that bridge will act as the slave interface. If an IP address is assigned to the bridge interface then this IP address will be applicable for all its bridge ports. All the bridge ports will work together using that IP address.

We will create one bridge interface named "Master_LAN" and then we will add the "Ether-2" and "Ether-3" physical interface as a bridge port to the "Master_LAN" bridge. After that, we will assign an IP address to the "Master_LAN" bridge interface. Once added to the bridge interface, the "Ether-2" and "Ether-3" will work in the same way just like they are in the same network segment.

Now we will learn how to create this virtual bridge interface and how to connect a port or a physical interface on that bridge interface in the Mikrotik router.

To add a new bridge interface click on the "Bridge" option from the "Winbox" menu and then click on the (+) sign.

In the "New Interface" window, write a descriptive name for this bridge interface in the "Name" field. We name it "Master_LAN". Leave everything as default. Click on the "Apply" and then "OK". Now it will appear that the bridge interface is added.

Now navigate to the "Ports" tab and click on the (+) sign to add a bridge port.

In the "New Bridge Port" interface, select the physical interface from the "Interface" field which you want to add to the bridge. According to our scenario, we will add the "Ether-2" and "Ether-3" physical interface to our bridge interface. That's why at first we will select the "Ether-2" interface from the "Interface" field. Then select the bridge interface from the "Bridge" field that you have created. According to our scenario, it will be "Master_LAN". After then click on the "Apply" and then "OK" button.

Now we will add the "Ether-3" interface to the "Master_LAN" bridge. The procedure will be the same. Just select the "Ether-3" interface from the "Interface" field.

Now it will appear that the bridge port is added to the list. Here, you will find the "Interface" column that is representing the bridge port and you will find the "Bridge" column also that is representing the bridge to where the bridge port is connected to.

Now we will go to configure an IP address to the "Master_LAN" bridge interface. This IP address will work not only with the "Master_LAN" bridge interface but will work with the bridge port interface also. Any LAN segment that will be connected to these bridge ports, they will reside in the same network segment.

In this scenario, we will use the "192.168.1.0/24" address as our network address. In that sense, we will use the "192.168.1.254/24" as our bridge interface IP address. Let's configure the IP address.

Go to the "IP" option from the "Winbox" Menu and then select "Addresses". Their click on the (+) sign to add a new IP address.

In the "New Address" window, write the "192.168.1.254/24" address in the "Address" field. If we write the IP address with the CIDR value that is "/24" then there is no requirement to define the subnet mask or network mask information in the "Network" field. Then select your bridge interface from the "Interface" field. According to our scenario, it will be the "Master_LAN". To save IP information and close this window, click on the "Apply" and "OK" button.

That's all for the bridge interface setup in the Mikrotik router. This way we can place multiple network interfaces in the same network segment as we need. A broadcast domain will be created with all these bridge ports or network interfaces.