Webfig skins (tutorial)

RouterOS General
1

Since v5.4 we have a new feature in Webfig - “Design Skin”. Click this button to make changes to the Webfig interface. This is perfect to remove unnecessary features for RouterOS users who don’t want to see them, to make it easier to find what is needed to this specific user, or to hide things he could “break”. Also great for translating the entire interface!

How to make a skin

Log into Webfig:
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Click “Design skin” button:
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You can now uncheck any element to hide it, you can rename any element or translate it:
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You can also add limits to text fields, add notes or make fields read-only:
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Once you SAVE the skin with a new name, and exit the Design mode, you will see the changes:
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Go back to full skin mode with the Design Skin button, and go to the System Users menu to assign this skin to a specific user group (probably make a new group). To hide the “Design skin” button from this group, uncheck the “policy” checkbox:
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Once again, this is not a security measure, as skilled users will be able to overcome these applied limitations.

2

Is there a way to delete unnecessary skin?

Cheers

3

skins are stored as files in /skins with the .json

Just delete the file.

You can also download the file, edit it using a text editor and upload it back to the router.
This makes creating skins and cloning RB’s easier.

4

Wy dont you make the check/uncheck options to winbox? :smiley:!

5

Yes, I fully second this!
I want a browser independent management program for ros. But winbox could definately have more edit functionality…

One of the MT-ros advantages over ubnt-ros is the fact that no matter if my browser is crashed, not loading or whatever, I can still reach my unit with a gui.
I can even prioritize my gui (winbox) in my network. With http for only management this becomes much more complicated.

MT, don’t copy too much from ubnt. The groove is a very good idea, but their html management gui sucks imho.

6

Agreed, MT do so much so well; please keep doing THAT :slight_smile:

7

before webfig everyone asked for an OS independent interface. now it’s backwards again :slight_smile:

8

No, I never asked for it. And me, but also some others, have been asking for winbox improvements since the day 2.xx versions where in use.
I also explained why html/port 80 solutions is not preferred. Having its own tcp port and program is one of the big advantages of winbox above browser based solution.
For security I actually disable any port 80 access to routers anyway. Or every kid will be tempted to get into my routers. Only for the challenge and than ruin it if they succeed. Using winbox is just another step away for the accidentalintruder.

Also, by using browser based solutions suddenly the browser maker, or the way it is installed on your PC, has influence on how your management console performs. We all know of all the problems that come with browsers… html, activeX, cookies, history, regular updates, safety flaws, add-ons, spy ware, agents… do I need to go on? All possible problem sources.
A serious management program is browser independent, not OS independent. I hate browsers for configuration tools. Winbox just has a port and tcp protocol. KISS (Keep it simple and Stupid) but make it a complete tool box.

9

I think you may be alone on this one, as OS independent solution was one of the top requested features since we introduced Winbox.

10

webfig works on all browsers that support standard javascript. So every single platform there is that has working browser with javascript is working (at least that is our goal). So you can use simple netbook running linux, your smartphone no matter what.

And for me - security usually comes with firewall configuration not with some external application.

Oh, and there is universal CLI (ssh or telnet)

11

well, I am sure I am not the only one preferring winbox above all other, with CLI in case winbox won’t work.
But no use to fight it over, as long as you guys also try to improve winbox and don’t let it become a ´forgotten child´ I don’t mind what else you’d develop. :sunglasses:

12

Started to play with webfig. I`ll guess I have to if winbox isn’t improved much…

Anyway, don`t know if this is the place to mention possible bugs, but I think I found one in webfig:

Interface graphs in IE8 not showing traffic. In Firefox not a problem…
routerboard runs v5.5.

13

webfig is mainly tested on mozilla firefox and google chrome. There might be some quirks with IE as it lacks features in some areas (eg. standard support)

14

I also prefer Winbox and the command line via ssh or a terminal session.

15

and then you just take your phone or some electronic pad, fire up the browser and set up the router.

Same applies if some firewall nazi has cut off everything but port 80, just log in webfig and configure away. And since winbox has “new terminal” button it has made its appearance in webfig too - terminal in browser window.

16

We’ve all loved winbox, I’m sure. But being windows only was a problem.

I believe we started asking for iPhone, Android apps and a linux version of winbox, it was Mikrotik who answered us and said “No, we’re not doing any of those, we’ll do a cross browser/os web interface, that will work almost anywhere”.

Fair enough, it does cut down development, no question.

No one said we didn’t still want winbox, in fact, only thing I feel it really needs is to be able to re-order columns!

I hope both continue and see improvements as time goes on.

This concerns me, while IE is continously bashed for it’s lack of standards, security flaws, you can’t escape that it’s on (almost) every Windows PC out there, and if there are “firewall nazis” there are certainly workstation equivalents that don’t want programs installed without authorisation, including web browsers.

I’m all for Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, in fact I frequently float between all of them, depending on which of their current versions are best at small memory foot print and not leaking (I find it varies enormously which is best, depending on the version), however IE’s market share shouldn’t be ignored and I would hope Mikrotik and other companies test their web interfaces with it as much as they do other browsers, and if it needs modification to work/display properly, then that’s included.

17

We have no plan to discontinue Winbox. Both interfaces will coexist.

18

Normis, Good Answer !!
With that in mind, can you have the WinBox configuration stored as a file much like a skin too?
Copying that file to different devices would be a lot easier than re-doing the layout each time.

Hope to be in LAS (October)

:slight_smile: :slight_smile:

19

Hi all, is posible to use Webfig on iphone?, i tried but authentication fails , i’m using ROs 5.5 and Iphone 4 . Any help will be apreciated.
Dimas

20

We just tested v5.5 and iPhone and it works great. Also Android works too.