could someone help if i can solve the following issue.
I have 12 devices which must have the same IP. A Server has to connect to each and get some information's. I thought that i can setup 12 VLANs put all 12 different devices to the VLANs and NAT each VLAN to the Server Network. I tried to simulate this via GNS3 with CHR but it seems without the LVL6 License are VRFs not working. Wanted to build the gateways through the VRFs, but i think this did not worked because of the missing License. Can someone tell me if this will work if i buy a CCR2004-16G-2S+. Don't want to invest if the idea is not working at all. Phoenix Contact has NAT Switches where it is possible to set NATs for VLANs. But if i can do it with Mikrotik would be happier
Lab Setup Idea: Multiple PCs with the Same IP via MikroTik CHR + VRFs
Build a lab where multiple PCs (VPCs) all use the same IP address (172.80.10.1/24).
Each PC is fully isolated in its own VLAN/VRF.
All PCs can reach a central server (10.144.100.2/24) on ether8.
PCs must not communicate with each other.
Approach
VLAN per PC
Each PC is assigned a dedicated VLAN on the CHR (e.g., VLAN101 → PC1, VLAN102 → PC2, etc.).
VRF per VLAN
Every VLAN is placed into its own VRF (routing table).
Each VRF has the same gateway IP (172.80.10.254/24), but because of VRF separation, they don’t conflict.
NAT toward the server
Source NAT translates traffic from each VRF into the server subnet (10.144.100.0/24).
Each VRF can use a unique NAT address inside 10.144.100.x, so the server can distinguish clients.
When the problem is properly described, question properly asked, then it's much, much easier to find a solution.
Same types of problems recur again and again.
The Phoenix Contact etc. industrial devices don't actually do what you want
There was a thread specifically about device choice for this sort of thing, which should really be included in the standard advice set; it also addresses licensing fears (spoiler: you shouldn't have any):
Long short: if you have something even remotely industrial, do yourself a favor and choose a device that doesn't require active cooling - the ccr2004 has a -PC variant that's passively cooled
If you have such a large number of devices, the best approach is usually not to use physical interfaces for each device, but to have those networks exit the router on different VLANs (possibly on a single port), which are then distributed through normal (managed/vlan-aware) switches. In this case I would strongly suggest the "Hex S 2025" model for the router - despite its unimpressive looks and low price, it's actually the best for this kind of job. (Any worries that "such a small device - how many devices can it handle?" and such can be safely put aside. It can handle a lot more than 12.) As a side benefit it's kind of indestructible.
Part of any new poster sandbox process, besides jaclaz 12 rules reading, network diagram, config export and stating requirements/use cases for traffic flow, the ability to search the Forum would be another tool one would have to show some basic proficiency!!
