Installation
Installation methods will depend on what hardware you are using. RouterOS
can be installed on many different devices. These would include x86
computers, or RouterBoard Products. RouterBoards typically come with not
only the RouterOS software already loaded, but has a license installed as
well. Contact your local distributor to find out what hardware comes with
what license.
If you built your own PC and are planning to install RouterOS on it, then you
have several choices for the installation. PC based installations can use
Netlnstall to load a IDE or SATA DaM, or possibly a USB stick or other form
of flash card. Compact flash cards would be included with this. You can
though, use three other methods. Netlnstall using a bootable network
interface card or NIC is one method. Using a Floppy is another, as well as a
CD based installation.
For PC or x86 system installations, the recommended method is either
Netlnstall with a Compact Flash or DaM module, or the CD based installation
method.
For RouterBoards, we have one installation method. Note that
RouterBoards should come with an installation and a license; you typically
will only need to use this method to either upgrade a device or to recover
from a lost password. You can also reset the unit; see the "RouterBoard
Reset" Section. Since quite a few of the RouterBoard products are put into
static intensive areas, such as radio towers, etc, as well as lightning
discharges near where the RouterBoard is installed. There are times that the
RouterBoard unit may stop functioning due to a NAND issue. A reload of
the NAND via the Netlnstall program will reload the as and allow the unit to
restart in some cases. Keep in mind that if your hardware takes a direct
lightning strike etc, the chances of it even powering on is slim. You may
even need to look around for the pieces of the board.