Feature Request: Firewall Rules visual grouping

RouterOS General
1

Hello,

I dig out a very old request (http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/feature-request-grouping-of-firewall-rules-dhcp-leases/93932/1) from another user but i think this feature will be very useful for everyone.
I would really appreciate a change in winbox that makes possible to visualy group firewall rules. Firewall rules on many routers are quite a lot, and it becomes more and more difficult to manage them. If i can combine them in visual groups that can be collapsed or expanded, it will be much more easier to manage.

An answer on this request previously was to use chains, from the functional prospectus chains is a solution, but this doesn’t solve the visual issue.
@kiler129

2

But is already present, use filter…
Select what is the only chain you want see… done.

3

A good reason to keep filter rules simple and efficient.
I thought jump chains were another way of grouping that does what you ask?

4

Jump chains also allows shortening the number of rules that the router has to process for for any given packet. For example a rule that performs some filter jumps to a chain that will have several more rules related to that type of traffic. For example a rule in the input chain that jumps only for ICMP traffic. Then an ICMP chain that takes care of various ICMP rules - this of course assumes that you have some ICMP rules (maybe DDNS detection or only certain ports or sources can ping as examples).

And for God’s sake, keep all the rules in each chain sorted together. Does not make much difference to the router, but sure makes it easier for us human beings to read.

5

I was kind of surprised to see that you are not able to “lock” rules together in groups, so moving one, moves them all… doesn’t this seem obvious??

Granted, the whole Firewall/Filter Rules UI needs a lot of work. Column/Table format is less than ideal.

6

I never look at my rules in winbox I always run export for a much better visual experience. :slight_smile:

7

(also I…)