System Information and Utilities
System information and utilities documentation covers RouterOS device identity, files, clock, NTP, scheduler, services, fetch, email, neighbor discovery, interface lists, and related system tools. Use this section to manage device-level settings and utilities.
Clock
The RouterOS system clock: time sources (NTP client, MikroTik cloud service, GPS), time zone selection and automatic detection, manual GMT offset and daylight saving rules, and clock behavior at startup.
Device mode
The device-mode feature restricts router access and limits configuration options to enhance security, available in advanced, home, basic, or ros modes depending on device type and RouterOS version. Changes require physical confirmation via power cycle or button press, with limited update attempts to prevent unauthorized mode changes.
Send email from RouterOS through an SMTP server: TLS modes and ports, certificate verification, Gmail app passwords, attachments, a scheduled configuration export and what the error messages mean.
Fetch
Fetch transfers files over HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, TFTP and SFTP and makes HTTP requests from the console or scripts: downloads, uploads, POST data and webhooks, certificate checks, redirects, result variables and VRF support.
Files
The File menu manages user files on the router: creating, editing, copying and deleting files and directories, reading file contents, and viewing details of uploaded RouterOS packages.
Identity
The system identity is the router's name, shown in the CLI prompt, in neighbor discovery, as the SNMP system name and as the DHCP client host name. Set it in the CLI, in WinBox or over SNMP.
IP Packing
IP Packing collects outgoing packets on a link into larger packets and can compress them; the other router unpacks them. Both routers need neighbor discovery on the link.
Neighbor Discovery
Neighbor discovery protocols enable detection of devices using MNDP, CDP, or LLDP in Layer2 domains, displaying connected neighbors' IP/MAC addresses and interfaces. Configuration options include protocol selection, discovery interval adjustments, and LLDP TLVs for QoS and VLAN sharing.
Note
The system note is a text that RouterOS shows to administrators at login: the router's purpose, contacts or a warning. Set it in the CLI, in WinBox or from a sys-note.txt file, and show it before the Telnet login prompt.
NTP
RouterOS includes an NTP client and server in the main package: synchronize the router's clock with NTP servers, serve time to other devices, use symmetric key authentication, and monitor synchronization status.
Partitions
RouterOS allows repartitioning NAND flash on compatible devices to enable multiple OS installations with automatic fallback, ensuring system reliability during upgrades. The feature supports up to 8 partitions, requires minimum storage sizes, and includes commands for managing active partitions, cloning configurations, and restoring backups.
Precision Time Protocol
MikroTik RouterOS documentation introduces Precision Time Protocol (PTP) for sub-microsecond clock synchronization across networks, supporting IEEE 1588-2008 with hardware timestamping and multiple profile options including 802.1AS, AES67, G.8275.1, and SMPTE for specialized industries.
Scheduler
The RouterOS scheduler runs commands or scripts at a set time, at an interval, at startup or on selected weekdays: nightly backups, time-of-day changes, update checks and notifications.
Services
The /ip/service menu lists the RouterOS management services (WinBox, SSH, Telnet, FTP, web server, API) and the ports other features and containers listen on. The page shows how to see what the router listens on, limit services to trusted addresses, move them to a management VRF, and lists the ports and IP protocols RouterOS uses.
TFTP
The RouterOS TFTP server: serve boot, firmware and configuration files to devices, accept uploads, match requested file names with access rules and regular expressions, and troubleshoot block sizes, large files and errors.
UPS
UPS monitor feature for APC UPS units supports serial/USB connections, enabling graceful power outage handling with hibernate and safe reboot capabilities. It monitors battery status, runs tests, logs power changes, and requires manual installation via ups.npk package.
Wake on LAN
Wake a computer on the LAN with a Wake on LAN magic packet from RouterOS: on demand, from outside the network through the router, on a schedule, or several computers with one command.