Mikrotik Export — Configuration

When you export a configuration from a router that had MAC Telnet or WinBox discovery enabled, the exported script will include commands like /tool mac-server set allowed-interface-list=none. On a different router with different interface names, this might lock you out. Always review exported interfaces before applying to new hardware.

The export command is more than just a backup tool; it is the language of MikroTik configuration. By mastering the nuances of compact, verbose, and hide-sensitive exports, and understanding how they differ from binary backups, network engineers can ensure they have the flexibility to recover from disasters, migrate to new hardware seamlessly, and audit their network security with precision. Regular exports should be a cornerstone of any MikroTik network management policy.

To report or export the configuration of a MikroTik router, you use the /export command in the terminal. Unlike a standard binary backup, an export creates a plain-text script (.rsc) containing the commands needed to recreate your settings. Quick Export Commands

Run these in the New Terminal window within Winbox or an SSH session: Goal Full Report export file=myconfig Saves the entire config to myconfig.rsc. Compact Report export compact file=myconfig Saves only changes from default settings. Verbose Report export verbose file=myconfig

Saves all settings, including defaults (useful for reference). Partial Report /ip address export file=ips Exports only a specific section (e.g., IP addresses). Hide Passwords export hide-sensitive

Exports the config without sensitive data (passwords, keys). Step-by-Step Procedure

export config problem - Beginner Basics - MikroTik community forum

Exporting Mikrotik Configuration: A Step-by-Step Guide

Mikrotik devices are widely used in networking environments due to their reliability, flexibility, and affordability. However, there may be situations where you need to export the configuration of your Mikrotik device, such as when you're upgrading to a new device, setting up a redundant system, or simply for backup purposes. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of exporting your Mikrotik configuration.

Why Export Mikrotik Configuration?

Exporting your Mikrotik configuration is essential in various scenarios:

Methods to Export Mikrotik Configuration

There are two primary methods to export your Mikrotik configuration:

A common question among new MikroTik users is: "Should I use /export or /system backup save?"

| Feature | /export (Text Script) | /system backup save (Binary) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Format | Human-readable text (.rsc) | Binary, machine-only | | Cross-version | Works across different RouterOS versions | Best for same version, may fail across major upgrades | | Cross-hardware | Works on any MikroTik hardware | May fail if hardware has different resources (e.g., different number of NICs) | | Editable | Yes (any text editor) | No | | Sensitive data | Hidden by default, visible with flag | Encrypted, but restorable only on original or similar hardware | | Speed of restore | Slower (interprets commands) | Faster (binary restore) |

Best practice: Use both. Schedule daily binary backups for disaster recovery and regular text exports for version control, documentation, and cross-platform migration.

Without show-sensitive:

# jan/02/2025 10:15:22 by RouterOS 7.15
/interface bridge
add name=bridge1
/ip address
add address=192.168.88.1/24 interface=bridge1
/user
add name=admin password=""  # <- hidden

With show-sensitive:

/user
add name=admin password="MySecret123"

The true power of mikrotik export configuration lies in its optional parameters. Using the right flags can save you hours of editing.

Summary

What export produces

Common usages

Important caveats & risks

Best practices

  • Export with paths to target only required sections (e.g., /ip address, /ip firewall filter) rather than full export when sharing publicly.
  • Keep backups: use binary/config backup in addition to export for full state restore (note: binary backups are tied to device ID).
  • Test import on lab device with same RouterOS version before production restore.
  • Use comments: annotate exported files with purpose, date, author, and maintenance window recommendation.
  • Use secure storage and transfer: treat exports like credentials—encrypt at rest and in transit.

    • Commands & useful options

    Quick checklist before sharing an export

    Example safe-sharing workflow

    If you want, I can:

    In MikroTik's RouterOS, the export command is used to generate a script of configuration commands that can be used to recreate your settings on another device or for backup purposes. Unlike a binary .backup file, an export is a plain-text file that you can read and edit. Core Export Commands

    The syntax varies depending on whether you want a full dump or just a specific section: Full Export: export file=myconfig

    Generates a full configuration script and saves it as myconfig.rsc in the Files menu. Compact Export: export compact file=myconfig

    (Default in newer RouterOS versions) Only exports settings that differ from the factory defaults. Section-Specific: /ip address export

    Exports only the configuration for a specific menu (in this case, IP addresses). Terminal View: export

    Running the command without file= prints the configuration directly to your terminal window. Key Parameters

    show-sensitive: By default, RouterOS hides passwords and shared keys. Use export show-sensitive if you need to include passwords in the script.

    terse: Compresses the output into fewer lines, making it harder to read but more efficient for automated processing.

    verbose: Includes default values and additional comments, which is helpful for learning how specific features are structured. Best Practices for Backups

    Binary vs. Script: Use .backup files for quick restores on the exact same device. Use .rsc exports when migrating to a different hardware model or when you need to audit specific settings.

    Sensitive Data: Always be cautious when using show-sensitive. If you share this file for troubleshooting on forums, ensure you manually scrub your public IP addresses, passwords, and private keys. mikrotik export configuration

    Restoring: To apply an exported configuration, upload the .rsc file to a new router and run /import file-name=myconfig.rsc.

    Mastering the MikroTik Export Configuration: A Comprehensive Guide

    Whether you are migrating to a new RouterBOARD, setting up a backup strategy, or troubleshooting a complex firewall rule, knowing how to properly use the Mikrotik export configuration command is an essential skill for any network administrator.

    Unlike a standard binary backup file, an export generates a RouterOS script (.rsc). This script is human-readable, editable, and—most importantly—can be partially applied to other devices. 1. Why Use Export Instead of Backup?

    MikroTik offers two primary ways to save your settings: .backup files and .rsc exports.

    Binary Backup (.backup): Best for a full "system restore" on the exact same device. It includes sensitive data like passwords and user accounts but is not readable by humans.

    Configuration Export (.rsc): Generates a plain-text script of the commands needed to recreate your setup. It is ideal for version control (GitHub), auditing, and moving configurations between different hardware models. 2. Basic Export Commands

    The export command is executed via the Command Line Interface (CLI). You can access this through Winbox (New Terminal), SSH, or Telnet. Export the Entire Configuration To see your entire setup printed in the terminal: /export Use code with caution. Save Export to a File

    To save the configuration to the router’s storage (which you can then download via Winbox > Files): /export file=my_config Use code with caution. This creates a file named my_config.rsc. 3. Advanced Export Techniques

    One of the most powerful features of the MikroTik export tool is the ability to filter what you save. Export Specific Sections

    If you only need your firewall rules or your IP addresses, you don't need the whole file. Navigate to the submenu and run export:

    /ip firewall filter export file=firewall_only /ip address export file=addresses_only Use code with caution. The "Compact" Export (RouterOS v6 & v7)

    By default, newer versions of RouterOS use "compact" export, which only shows values that differ from the factory default. This makes the file much cleaner and easier to read. /export compact Use code with caution. Exporting Without Sensitive Data

    If you are sharing your configuration on a forum or with a consultant, you should hide sensitive information like Wi-Fi passwords and VPN secrets: /export hide-sensitive Use code with caution.

    (Note: In RouterOS v7, sensitive data is hidden by default unless specified otherwise.) 4. How to Import a Configuration

    Once you have your .rsc file, applying it to a new router is straightforward.

    Upload the file: Drag and drop the .rsc file into the Files window in Winbox. Run the Import command: /import file-name=my_config.rsc Use code with caution.

    Pro Tip: Before importing a full configuration to a new router, it is best practice to reset the router to "No Configuration" to avoid IP conflicts or command errors. 5. Common Issues & Best Practices

    Interface Names: If you export a config from a router with 10 ports and import it to one with 5, the script may fail when it looks for ether10. Always review the script in a text editor (like Notepad++) before importing. When you export a configuration from a router

    Version Compatibility: While RouterOS is generally backwards compatible, moving a configuration from v7 back to v6 can cause syntax errors due to the new routing stack in v7.

    Automated Backups: You can create a Scheduler script that runs /export file=daily_config every night to ensure you always have a fresh recovery point. Conclusion

    The MikroTik export configuration tool is more than just a backup utility; it’s a powerful way to manage, share, and learn RouterOS. By using specific exports and cleaning up sensitive data, you can maintain a professional and secure networking environment.

    While there is no formal academic research paper dedicated exclusively to this specific CLI command, the official documentation from MikroTik and specialized whitepapers on network administration thoroughly detail its mechanics.

    The /export command in MikroTik RouterOS is a powerful utility used to generate a script of the router's current configuration. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of how the command operates, its security implications, and how it compares to standard backups. ⚙️ Core Mechanics of the Export Command

    The /export command reads the MikroTik configuration database and converts it into human-readable console commands. The resulting file is given a .rsc extension and can be opened in any standard text editor. Primary Command Variants

    Full Export: /export file=myconfig — Captures the entire router configuration and saves it to a file.

    Compact Export: /export compact file=myconfig — (Default in RouterOS v6/v7) Only exports settings that differ from the factory default, making the file significantly cleaner and easier to read.

    Sectional Export: /ip address export file=address_only — You can navigate to any submenu and export strictly that subset of rules. 📊 Direct Comparison: Export vs. Backup

    Network engineers often confuse the export script with the backup file. They serve entirely different operational purposes. Backup/Restore vs export/import - General - MikroTik Forum

    The MikroTik configuration feature allows you to generate a plain-text script of your router's settings, typically saved with a extension. This is distinct from a standard

    , which creates a binary file used for full system restores on the same hardware. MikroTik community forum Key Uses of Exported Configurations Human-Readable Audit : Since the file is plain text, you can open it in or any text editor to review every setting manually. Hardware Migration

    these scripts onto different MikroTik models to replicate settings. Configuration Templates

    : Administrators often use exports to create "gold images" for mass-deploying new routers. Comparison: Export vs. Backup Export (.rsc) Backup (.backup) Plain-text script Binary file Not exported by default Fully encrypted with password Compatibility Cross-platform (any MikroTik) Device-specific (best for same model) Can be manually edited Cannot be edited Common Export Commands You can run these commands in the New Terminal Social WiFi Academy Full Export to File export file=myConfig Creates a file named myConfig.rsc Compact Export export compact

    Shows only the settings that differ from the factory defaults. Specific Section /ip address export Exports only the IP address configurations. Hide Sensitive Info export hide-sensitive

    Ensures secrets like VPN keys or local user passwords aren't visible. Social WiFi Academy How to Retrieve the Export and connect to your router. menu on the left panel. Locate your Right-click the file and select to save it to your computer, or simply drag and drop it to your desktop. Social WiFi Academy bash automation to periodically fetch these exports from multiple routers? Mikrotik Configuration Backups 11 Sept 2023 —

    Managing your MikroTik router effectively requires a deep understanding of its configuration management tools. While binary backups are common, the MikroTik export configuration command is often the superior choice for migration, auditing, and selective restoration because it produces human-readable scripts. What is a MikroTik Export Configuration?

    A configuration export is a plain-text script (typically with a .rsc extension) containing the CLI commands required to recreate your router’s current state. Unlike binary backups, which are designed for the exact same physical device, export files can be edited and applied to different models or updated versions of RouterOS. Core Export Commands and Options

    You can run an export from the New Terminal at any level of the menu hierarchy. Running it from the root (/) exports everything, while running it within a submenu (like /ip firewall) only exports that specific section. Methods to Export Mikrotik Configuration There are two

    Critical Flaw with hide-sensitive config export - MikroTik Forum