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Hammy
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Tue Sep 05, 2017 6:57 pm

Various other aspects of managing the entire virtual environment are also made easier when VMware Tools is installed. The host and management environments know if the tools are installed or not.

Again, spend your time implementing, not arguing. Mikrotik has a bad habit of arguing with their customers that needs to change.

I'd actually recommend separate packages one loads into their CHR, with agents specific to each virtualization platform. I know vSphere and QEMU/KVM have them. I wouldn't be surprised if others did as well.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Tue Sep 05, 2017 10:10 pm

The most important reason to install VMware tools are the (virtual)drivers. And since its a router it basically just needs NIC driver support, and they already implemented the VMXNET3 driver.
It does not need a mouse, graphics or paravirtualscsi drivers, shared folders from console, ect. It is a router! The other reasons mentioned on the page are no deal breakers?

With tools installed it just looks good in vsphere when it says your VM is green and no yellow warning-bar is displayed that the tools are not running. But for a HA environment it is not even needed. We can still make snapshots/back-ups, we can still move the machine between hosts and storage clusters, its HA protected, ect.

So in the end they do a lot of work for removing a warning message without actually having any real benefits the tools provide. Hence they ask what the tools actually provide for you!

But ya +1 for the tools support so we don't see warnings anymore - But I rather see the resources spent on v7 ;)
 
raffav
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 06, 2017 3:02 am

I just think that some builder to customize the img on site, before download will be very cool
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 06, 2017 12:50 pm

And please, make support of SCSI\SATA controller, not IDE
 
kasparskr
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 06, 2017 1:13 pm

And please, make support of SCSI\SATA controller, not IDE
What do you mean with SCSI controller? Works fine with SCSI. Example on VirtualBox:
[admin@MikroTik] > /system resource print 
                   uptime: 3m56s
                  version: 6.41rc20 (testing)
               build-time: Aug/29/2017 06:41:04
              free-memory: 14.9MiB
             total-memory: 32.2MiB
                      cpu: Intel(R)
                cpu-count: 1
            cpu-frequency: 1899MHz
                 cpu-load: 0%
           free-hdd-space: 32.1MiB
          total-hdd-space: 63.5MiB
  write-sect-since-reboot: 424
         write-sect-total: 425
        architecture-name: x86_64
               board-name: CHR
                 platform: MikroTik
[admin@MikroTik] > /system resource pci print 
 # DEVICE   VENDOR                                            NAME                                                        IRQ
 0 00:14.0  LSI Logic / Symbios Logic                         53c1030 PCI-X Fusion-MPT Dual Ultra320 SCSI (rev: 0)          9
 1 00:07.0  Intel Corporation                                 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 ACPI (rev: 8)                             9
 2 00:06.0  Apple Computer Inc.                               KeyLargo/Intrepid USB (rev: 0)                               11
 3 00:04.0  InnoTek Systemberatung GmbH                       VirtualBox Guest Service (rev: 0)                             9
 4 00:03.0  Intel Corporation                                 82540EM Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev: 2)                 10
 5 00:02.0  InnoTek Systemberatung GmbH                       VirtualBox Graphics Adapter (rev: 0)                         11
 6 00:01.0  Intel Corporation                                 82371SB PIIX3 ISA [Natoma/Triton II] (rev: 0)                 0
 7 00:00.0  Intel Corporation                                 440FX - 82441FX PMC [Natoma] (rev: 2)                         0
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 06, 2017 1:37 pm

And please, make support of SCSI\SATA controller, not IDE
What do you mean with SCSI controller?[/code]
He probably meant generating VMDK images in a proper format so it can easily be used with ESXi without having to convert it first. (The VMDKs from your download page can only be imported as IDE, whereas converted images work fine as SCSI as well, hence the wording.)
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 06, 2017 2:20 pm

In our build environment we use Qemu tools to convert images to various formats (qemu-img convert), including to VMDK. To convert a VMDK image created by Qemu to ESXi compatible format, VMWare tools (vmkfstools) are necessary. They are provided together with the ESXi server so you can do it on your ESXi. Instructions how to install the CHR on ESXi are available here - https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:C ... e_ESXi_6.5
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 06, 2017 2:55 pm

In our build environment we use Qemu tools to convert images to various formats (qemu-img convert), including to VMDK. To convert a VMDK image created by Qemu to ESXi compatible format, VMWare tools (vmkfstools) are necessary. They are provided together with the ESXi server so you can do it on your ESXi. Instructions how to install the CHR on ESXi are available here - https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:C ... e_ESXi_6.5
I hope you are aware that the released images are not really compatible with ESXi and need to be converted again by the user.
This is an error-prone process and when it is skipped, issues occur later (e.g. when the disk is imported into ESXi as-is (IDE)).
Furthermore, for convenient deployment on ESXi you should not distribute a disk image, but rather a .ovf file, which is a disk image plus configuration information.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 06, 2017 3:45 pm

In our build environment we use Qemu tools to convert images to various formats (qemu-img convert), including to VMDK. To convert a VMDK image created by Qemu to ESXi compatible format, VMWare tools (vmkfstools) are necessary. They are provided together with the ESXi server so you can do it on your ESXi. Instructions how to install the CHR on ESXi are available here - https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:C ... e_ESXi_6.5
OK you wanted features suggestions.

Ditch all the above and distribute CHR as an ovf like a normal virtual appliance rather than all this total mess you just mentioned.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 06, 2017 4:58 pm

In our build environment we use Qemu tools to convert images to various formats (qemu-img convert), including to VMDK. To convert a VMDK image created by Qemu to ESXi compatible format, VMWare tools (vmkfstools) are necessary. They are provided together with the ESXi server so you can do it on your ESXi. Instructions how to install the CHR on ESXi are available here - https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:C ... e_ESXi_6.5
OK you wanted features suggestions.

Ditch all the above and distribute CHR as an ovf like a normal virtual appliance rather than all this total mess you just mentioned.
I totally agree that OVF is the only way to go for releasing virtual appliances. Mikrotik team should have a look into this.
Currently every ESXi user has to convert the VMDK once again in oder to adjust the disk size as needed.

Please find more details at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Virt ... ion_Format
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Virt ... ry_support
http://www.dmtf.org/standards/ovf

The following perl script can genrate an OVF from VMDK/RAW disks and could probably be integrated into your build and release process.
Additionally tools like vboxmanage or vmkfstools might be able to validate and test the generated OVFs for consistency before releasing them.
https://github.com/EmmanuelKasper/import2vbox
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 06, 2017 10:50 pm

Guys, I think CHR should be kept clean, as it is now. It's damn small, and you can backup and restore your vm image in disaster recovery scenario quickly.
Thats virtual router, not full blown linux machine. Thats why routeros (beside its bugs, sometimes) is rock solid. Adding too much stuff will end in sw size grow, bugs, attack vectors and much more not predicted situations.
Better focus on networking/drivers/vmtools stuff.

Why you cant just run separate linux with dockers? Since you already running vm environment. It will be even better - you can assign cpu priorities, and in cause of web server or other docker service DoS, you will have just web service down, not whole CHR machine.

From my side, sriov support (with appotiate and common drivers - igb, ixgbe), vmtools: safe shutdown, memory queiescent.
Plus, maybe some firewall matcher to allow traffic to/from licencing server ( need add static ip now, hope it will not change soon).
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 06, 2017 11:10 pm

Guys, I think CHR should be kept clean, as it is now. It's damn small, and you can backup and restore your vm image in disaster recovery scenario quickly.
Thats virtual router, not full blown linux machine. Thats why routeros (beside its bugs, sometimes) is rock solid. Adding too much stuff will end in sw size grow, bugs, attack vectors and much more not predicted situations.
Better focus on networking/drivers/vmtools stuff.

Why you cant just run separate linux with dockers? Since you already running vm environment. It will be even better - you can assign cpu priorities, and in cause of web server or other docker service DoS, you will have just web service down, not whole CHR machine.

From my side, sriov support, vmtools: safe shutdown, memory queiescent.
Plus, maybe some firewall matcher to allow traffic to/from licencing server ( need add static ip now, hope it will not change soon).

I agree. Many request a swiss army router that can act as a PBX and control their vacuum cleaner, toggle the lights on their fish tank and other things that have no place in a router.

Some perhaps are more into saving money by requesting Mikrotik put everything they need into the software. Seriously if your a business you will have a separate server for PBX and non routing functions.

Some would like it to be more of a UTM appliance which while probably possible would take an amazing amount of development and would require Mikrotik to grow significantly to support such a product and no doubt enter us into the subscription based pricing model to make it worthwhile for them.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 06, 2017 11:20 pm

Guys, I think CHR should be kept clean, as it is now. It's damn small, and you can backup and restore your vm image in disaster recovery scenario quickly.
Thats virtual router, not full blown linux machine. Thats why routeros (beside its bugs, sometimes) is rock solid. Adding too much stuff will end in sw size grow, bugs, attack vectors and much more not predicted situations.
Better focus on networking/drivers/vmtools stuff.

Why you cant just run separate linux with dockers? Since you already running vm environment. It will be even better - you can assign cpu priorities, and in cause of web server or other docker service DoS, you will have just web service down, not whole CHR machine.

From my side, sriov support, vmtools: safe shutdown, memory queiescent.
Plus, maybe some firewall matcher to allow traffic to/from licencing server ( need add static ip now, hope it will not change soon).

I agree. Many request a swiss army router that can act as a PBX and control their vacuum cleaner, toggle the lights on their fish tank and other things that have no place in a router.

Some perhaps are more into saving money by requesting Mikrotik put everything they need into the software. Seriously if your a business you will have a separate server for PBX and non routing functions.

Some would like it to be more of a UTM appliance which while probably possible would take an amazing amount of development and would require Mikrotik to grow significantly to support such a product and no doubt enter us into the subscription based pricing model to make it worthwhile for them.
IDS takes significant amount of cpu. Thats ridicolous idea.
Better run separate vm with ids (or anti ddos). You can mirror nic in esxi, run it in promiscuous mode and voila. No need switch and mirror.

Plus you can always move other services: ids, pbx quickly to other vm machine when it will run out of resources.

Separation of services is crucial to run your business smoothly....
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 06, 2017 11:31 pm

Small business customers many times want everything rolled into one.
Carriers want performance & stability.

Mikrotik needs to sell their products so they have to determine who they are shaping their products around.

If they had 3Ghz Tilera CCR's many of the BGP complaints would be lessened since the single core would actually perform respectably.

It would be cool if they had sponsored development so we can nudge some niche features in before we are in the rest home.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:08 am

Regarding OVF.

There might be various scenarious how our users would use the CHR. In the OVF there's already specified RAM, HDD, Interface count, etc. - and it might be different for different use cases. We actually have already created such one off template (https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... S_CHR1.ova). And in response we got requests to adjust the parameters. You can still take that OVA file, upgrade RouterOS to the newest version and use it.

You really think there's a "one for all" configuration that will satisfy most of the users?
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 07, 2017 11:43 am

Regarding OVF.
You really think there's a "one for all" configuration that will satisfy most of the users?
Users can adjust parameters after they installed the OVF. That is not a problem.
MikroTik should be able to define parameters like disk size, amount of memory, required devices etc as they are also
able to build routers according to the RouterOS requirements. When users want to set more memory, they can do so.
The reason that an OVF is required is mainly to get a correct definition of the disk image that is compatible between
RouterOS and ESXi. As it is now, it has to be converted before it works reliably. When this is not done correctly, it
can appear to work but a few days later the router crashes when it tries to write something to disk.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 07, 2017 12:19 pm

Regarding OVF.
You really think there's a "one for all" configuration that will satisfy most of the users?
Users can adjust parameters after they installed the OVF. That is not a problem.
MikroTik should be able to define parameters like disk size, amount of memory, required devices etc as they are also
able to build routers according to the RouterOS requirements. When users want to set more memory, they can do so.
The reason that an OVF is required is mainly to get a correct definition of the disk image that is compatible between
RouterOS and ESXi. As it is now, it has to be converted before it works reliably. When this is not done correctly, it
can appear to work but a few days later the router crashes when it tries to write something to disk.
Ok, but does it work in the OVA that we have provided earlier (https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... S_CHR1.ova)? Can it be imported in the ESXi in the manner that you require without any additional steps?
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 07, 2017 12:33 pm

I would have to test that. Maybe later today.
I have installed from a disk image and I needed to convert it from IDE to SCSI.
Someone else imported the disk as IDE and while it appears to work at first, it crashed a couple of weeks later and was continuously crashing after that.
He then also did the conversion to SCSI and it worked ok.
That is simply not a desirable situation, both for the user and for MikroTik (who get a bad reputation compared to the many vendors that just offer OVF)
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 07, 2017 1:28 pm

Regarding OVF.
You really think there's a "one for all" configuration that will satisfy most of the users?
Users can adjust parameters after they installed the OVF. That is not a problem.
MikroTik should be able to define parameters like disk size, amount of memory, required devices etc as they are also
able to build routers according to the RouterOS requirements. When users want to set more memory, they can do so.
The reason that an OVF is required is mainly to get a correct definition of the disk image that is compatible between
RouterOS and ESXi. As it is now, it has to be converted before it works reliably. When this is not done correctly, it
can appear to work but a few days later the router crashes when it tries to write something to disk.
Ok, but does it work in the OVA that we have provided earlier (https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... S_CHR1.ova)? Can it be imported in the ESXi in the manner that you require without any additional steps?
tested it - works fine, but disk still connected as IDE.
I can change required HW parameters after deploying, no problem for that.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:03 pm

tested it - works fine, but disk still connected as IDE.
I can change required HW parameters after deploying, no problem for that.
That is what makes it so nasty! It will fail after some time. And that does not happen when you
do the required conversion to SCSI.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 07, 2017 3:44 pm

Regarding OVF.

There might be various scenarious how our users would use the CHR. In the OVF there's already specified RAM, HDD, Interface count, etc. - and it might be different for different use cases. We actually have already created such one off template (https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... S_CHR1.ova). And in response we got requests to adjust the parameters. You can still take that OVA file, upgrade RouterOS to the newest version and use it.

You really think there's a "one for all" configuration that will satisfy most of the users?
As mentioned you put the minimum or recommended resources for CHR and users will adjust them according to their needs.
This is not a problem nor a confusion for the end user. All users can edit a VM by using the edit wizard of vsphere client. Not all users can or want to enable the SSH on ESXi, login, run commands, and them manually do everything else.

Besides, I am certain that you can set the cpu/disk/ram settings during deployment of the OVF. The wizard can ask you for these things, so this is not even an issue if you make it correctly. I don't recall a specific example but I am sure I've seen this before on other virtual appliances deployed to ESXi.

Other features:
CPU/Memory/vNIC hotswap.
I believe the VMware tools are not explicitly needed for these features but it makes them 'automatic'. Without vmtools I just had to echo stuff to /proc to enable those extra cpu cores or ram.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Sep 08, 2017 6:27 am

We run a hyperconverged cluster using Ceph and KVM and utilise CHR as virtual routers.

My wants:
- Updated VirtIO vNIC drivers to support multi-queue (probably requires updated kernel).
- Intel DPDK support.
- Repartition disc, don't mind if this is to increase only.
- Fix double NAT in CHR and x86 (does not source NAT after packet is processed by destination NAT).
- Fast Path missing, dunno if this is even possible as this may be hardware acceleration.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Sep 08, 2017 1:45 pm

Please check whether this OVA suits your needs and can be deployed on the ESXi without any additional steps:

* It has SCSI drive
* It has been exported from the ESXi

https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... R_SCSI.ova

If this suits your needs we'll see how to automate the creation of such OVA file upon RouterOS version releases.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Sep 08, 2017 2:34 pm

Please check whether this OVA suits your needs and can be deployed on the ESXi without any additional steps:

* It has SCSI drive
* It has been exported from the ESXi

https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... R_SCSI.ova

If this suits your needs we'll see how to automate the creation of such OVA file upon RouterOS version releases.
That's it, thanks!
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Sep 08, 2017 2:54 pm

Please check whether this OVA suits your needs and can be deployed on the ESXi without any additional steps:

* It has SCSI drive
* It has been exported from the ESXi

https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... R_SCSI.ova

If this suits your needs we'll see how to automate the creation of such OVA file upon RouterOS version releases.
That's it, thanks!
So it works as expected, yes?
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Sep 08, 2017 3:05 pm

Please check whether this OVA suits your needs and can be deployed on the ESXi without any additional steps:

* It has SCSI drive
* It has been exported from the ESXi

https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... R_SCSI.ova

If this suits your needs we'll see how to automate the creation of such OVA file upon RouterOS version releases.
That's it, thanks!
So it works as expected, yes?
Yes, deployed virtual machine have SCSI controller by default.
VM parameters also can be changed without problem.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Sep 08, 2017 5:15 pm

@kasparskr
For OVA and ESXI
it don't know if it's possible to be able to select a OVA compatible version, since your ova is generated on a newest version, so who use esxi < 5.5 it is unable to run it
 
schadom
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Sat Sep 09, 2017 2:06 am

Please check whether this OVA suits your needs and can be deployed on the ESXi without any additional steps:
* It has SCSI drive
* It has been exported from the ESXi
https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... R_SCSI.ova
If this suits your needs we'll see how to automate the creation of such OVA file upon RouterOS version releases.
Just tested the OVA on latest ESXi 6.5 and works fine - thanks! I'm able to adjust the hardware settings of the VM after importing as required.
Just one little thing; maybe you could also add a proper product name, version, vendor, description (just for cosmetics ;-))

Another interesting thing for MikroTik could be to offer the appliance also on VMWare's Solution Exchange marketplace at https://marketplace.vmware.com in the future. Many other vendors like Cisco, Juniper, Barracuda, and so on, are already offering their appliances over there. Might attract some new paying CHR customers for Mikrotik aswell.. :-)
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Cha0s
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Sat Sep 09, 2017 3:45 pm

@kasparskr
For OVA and ESXI
it don't know if it's possible to be able to select a OVA compatible version, since your ova is generated on a newest version, so who use esxi < 5.5 it is unable to run it
Indeed.

Doesn't work on ESXi 5.5.
'Upgrade to the latest version (of ESXi)' is not an option nor it will be any time soon.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Sat Sep 09, 2017 6:00 pm

Unpack ova (it's just tar archive), change "vmx-11" to "vmx-10" in hello.ovf, pack it back (skip hello.mf if you're lazy to update checksums; make sure that hello.ovf is packed before hello-disk1.vmdk) and ESXi 5.5 will be happy. Of course it's not what you'd normally want to do, I'm just saying that it won't be hard for MikroTik to solve (there are probably even some specialized tools for it).
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Mon Sep 11, 2017 10:24 am

Please check this OVA. HW version has been changed to 10 and should work on the ESXi 5.5. It still works on the ESXi 6.5.

https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... 6_40_3.ova

Our procedure is as follows:
* We convert the VMDK file that is currently available on the download page to the the thin format (with vmkfstools on the ESXi machine)
* Create a VMX file with basic parameters
* Register it to the ESXi (vim-cmd solo/registervm)
* Then from a remote machine using 'ovftool' we generate the OVA

For the VM name "displayName" parameter is used.

UPDATE: Adjusted the VMX, added "annotation" field which shows up as "Notes"
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Mon Sep 11, 2017 12:19 pm

Big Thanks!
 
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Cha0s
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Mon Sep 11, 2017 7:38 pm

Please check this OVA. HW version has been changed to 10 and should work on the ESXi 5.5. It still works on the ESXi 6.5.

https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... 6_40_3.ova

Our procedure is as follows:
* We convert the VMDK file that is currently available on the download page to the the thin format (with vmkfstools on the ESXi machine)
* Create a VMX file with basic parameters
* Register it to the ESXi (vim-cmd solo/registervm)
* Then from a remote machine using 'ovftool' we generate the OVA

For the VM name "displayName" parameter is used.

UPDATE: Adjusted the VMX, added "annotation" field which shows up as "Notes"
I confirm it's working fine on ESXi 5.5.

Thanks!
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Tue Sep 12, 2017 2:55 pm

Please check this OVA. HW version has been changed to 10 and should work on the ESXi 5.5. It still works on the ESXi 6.5.

https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... 6_40_3.ova
This is wonderful! Even if you don't plan to keep doing this process for future versions can you please make sure the link is available on your download page anyway? Install the OVA and upgrade only works if we can find the OVA :)
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:30 pm

Please check this OVA. HW version has been changed to 10 and should work on the ESXi 5.5. It still works on the ESXi 6.5.

https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... 6_40_3.ova
This is wonderful! Even if you don't plan to keep doing this process for future versions can you please make sure the link is available on your download page anyway? Install the OVA and upgrade only works if we can find the OVA :)
Thanks! We plan to add it to the download page and publish automatically with each new RouterOS release.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Tue Sep 12, 2017 5:46 pm

Looks great! I tested it on ESXi 6.0.0 and finally we have a way to deploy CHR in 10 seconds!
I would advise to keep the RouterOS version out of the default system name. E.g. name it only MikroTik_CHR.
The actual version will change over time and this name cannot really be changed anymore.
(you can rename the VM but inside the VM directory the vmdk files will keep the original name - confusing)
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:03 pm

The actual version will change over time and this name cannot really be changed anymore.
(you can rename the VM but inside the VM directory the vmdk files will keep the original name - confusing)
Indeed. You can 'fix' the VM directory by migrating it to another storage and back.

VM Migration will use the VM name to create the folder on the destination storage.

Of course this is cumbersome and some people don't even have vCenter or multiple storages to perform a migration.

I agree that a simpler VM name not including the version would be better.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 13, 2017 9:44 am

So you're saying that we should put a generic name inside the VMX, right? File name of the OVA can contain the version number right?
'displayName' and 'annotation' should just contain name without the version?

Update.

Did a test of my own with the previously published https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... 6_40_3.ova - when importing I chose a different name ('kk chr'), then after importing I was able to change the name and annotation. Could you please explain the problem? We're using the ESXi web interface.
ESXi_CHR.png
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:24 pm

Yes. The .ova of course can have a version in its name, but the name suggested in the wizard when importing the .ova is better left generic.
(and the note probably as well, although that can easily be edited afterwards when desired)
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:30 pm

Yes. The .ova of course can have a version in its name, but the name suggested in the wizard when importing the .ova is better left generic.
(and the note probably as well, although that can easily be edited afterwards when desired)
Ok, the web interface does not suggest any name, the VM name field is blank when deploying an OVA:
ESXi_OVA_deploy.png
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:48 pm

The OVA has been updated to exclude version number from the VM name - https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... 6_40_3.ova

Please check.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 13, 2017 6:58 pm

Ok, the web interface does not suggest any name, the VM name field is blank when deploying an OVA:
Is that a change that has been made? Or maybe it depends on VMware version and/or procedure used?
In my case it suggested a name that included the version number.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 13, 2017 10:30 pm

BGP Route Reflector support not installing the routes would be nice.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Mon Sep 18, 2017 12:17 am

+1 for VM-Tools and snapshots
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Mon Sep 18, 2017 11:37 am

Ok, the web interface does not suggest any name, the VM name field is blank when deploying an OVA:
Is that a change that has been made? Or maybe it depends on VMware version and/or procedure used?
In my case it suggested a name that included the version number.
Please try the last version I posted - https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... 6_40_3.ova, it shouldn't have the version number in the suggested VM name.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:29 pm

It is correct, the latest version shows a VM name without the version number. Good!
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Tue Sep 19, 2017 3:25 pm

The OVA for the newest 'release candidate' version is available on the download page - https://mikrotik.com/download#chr

Subsequent 'current' and 'bugfix' releases also will be available on the download page once new versions are released.

At the moment the OVA for 'current' version 6.40.3 is available here - https://www.mikrotik.com/download/share ... 6_40_3.ova

Thank you for your comments on creating the OVA file!
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 20, 2017 12:01 pm

I noticed when using VMXNET3 and having a 10Gbit link there is a 'incomplete' status message at auto negatiotion, see attachment.
Is this something known?
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 21, 2017 12:16 am

Could you tell me please is VirtIO SCSI supported in this release?
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=120413
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 27, 2017 1:44 am

CHR should run containers, docker or whatever.
Thats great
+1
Please clarify how you would use it and why :)
Just leave it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivpCKEiQOQ
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 27, 2017 2:27 am

CHR should run containers, docker or whatever.
Thats great
+1
Please clarify how you would use it and why :)
Just leave it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivpCKEiQOQ


So true! snowflake feature requests should be discarded ;) feature requests should be related to core functions and perhaps limited to things that pertain to routing ;)
I would rather have stability vs Pandora's Box.
Stability would be having the least amount of things to accomplish the desired task.
Its like adding a trailer brake controller to your Porsche. Sure it can be done. But only an idiot would ever want it.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Sep 27, 2017 9:34 am

I would really like to get proper MPLS MTU handling in ESX viewtopic.php?f=14&t=122446&p=620492#p606682
TSO and LRO need to be switched off in the VMXNET3 driver…
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 28, 2017 3:50 am

We see that the CHR is getting quite popular, so we would like to ask everyone, what new features would you like to see in the future? List your top requests for Cloud Hosted Router (CHR) and virtual machines that we do not have yet.
I would like to see a CHR ISO image.
I would like the ability to directly install a CHR ISO onto a server (skipping & not using a hypervisor). Thus a CHR could have direct access to all hardware devices and eliminate the need for a hypervisor. This could dramatically speed up a CHR because there would be no top-layer hypervisor consuming precious CPU built-in cache and other hardware resources. Such a system could possibly be 50 percent to 2,000 percent faster than using a hypervisor running a virtual CHR. Keep all of the wireless packages in the CHR ISO. Add support for 40-gig interfaces. With such a system, it could directly compete against most of the other high-end carrier-class non-Mikrotik routers , because the CHR (now a PHR Physical Hosted Router) would have the ability to use 100 percent of all physical Xeon processor cores and all Xeon built-in CPU cache. A mini-motherboard directly running CHR with high-end high-throughput wireless cards could directly replace most Mikrotik WDS links where both Mikrotiks average 10 to 60 percent load - something like this might be 1 percent cpu load. ((( The greater the CPU load , the greater the propagation time to get through a system & the slower things run))). A very fast high end Xeon directly running a CHR without a hypervisor just might be able to route at full network speed for most interfaces (approaching the speed of an ASIC chipset in a switch chip). And if the CHR system is small enough, then possibly 100 percent of the CHR could be run in high-speed Xeon CPU cache - wow :) )))

Also - I suspect a CHR ISO directly running on a very high-end Xeon set of processors is what Mikrotik needs to be able to sustain L3 routing at network speeds with 1 to 4 40-gig network cards. Currently, I have never heard of anybody running full L3 sustained network speeds on anything beyond L3 10-gig interfaces to anything external on a hypervisor hosting a CHR..

Also , the base system should only include the most basic system packages. Any additional package should be a package add. Also, default should be all non-necessary system/IP services disabled and any power management disabled. The smaller it is, the more likely almost everything will fit into and run entirely in built-in CPU cache.

And - with such a system, it might be nice to have an optional shell-package which supports a direct shell access to the underlying **ux system.

I would like to see a VMware Paravirtual SCSI device supported. (For those who use a hypervisor).
Last edited by TomjNorthIdaho on Thu Sep 28, 2017 4:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 28, 2017 4:12 am

I would like to see a CHR ISO image.
I would like the ability to directly install a CHR ISO onto a server (skipping & not using a hypervisor). Thus a CHR could have direct access to all hardware devices and eliminate the need for a hypervisor.
How is this different from the normal x86 install that has literally been an option for over a decade? Download: https://mikrotik.com/download (X86 section, right after ARM - the CD image is literally an ISO as you requested) and license info: https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:L ... nse_Levels (Non-CHR X86 licenses are feature-based, not port-speed-based). CHR was introduced because the basic X86 version assumed it was running on bare metal, and wasn't properly suited for being installed as a VM.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 28, 2017 4:26 am

I would like to see a CHR ISO image.
I would like the ability to directly install a CHR ISO onto a server (skipping & not using a hypervisor). Thus a CHR could have direct access to all hardware devices and eliminate the need for a hypervisor.
How is this different from the normal x86 install that has literally been an option for over a decade? Download: https://mikrotik.com/download (X86 section, right after ARM - the CD image is literally an ISO as you requested) and license info: https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:L ... nse_Levels (Non-CHR X86 licenses are feature-based, not port-speed-based). CHR was introduced because the basic X86 version assumed it was running on bare metal, and wasn't properly suited for being installed as a VM.
Fist - x86 is a 32-bit system
Second - x86 does not have any paravirtual support
Third - From my hand-on real-world experience using x86 as the 207.32.195.2 public btest server, I would experience a full x86 lockup sometimes 4 times a day. Now that I am using a CHR 64-bit system with some paravirtual device support, it has NEVER locked up.
Fourth - a 64-bit system directly supports much much larger access to big memory.
Fifth - I have no idea if a x86 32-bit ROS system could even hold a full ipv4 & ipv6 bgp routing table without problems - let alone run at 5-gig plus sustained speed without locking up many times a day.
Sixth - 64-Bit operating systems also support 64-bit access to memory (faster)
Seventh - 64-Bit systems also can also use more efficient 64-bit compilers and use 64-bit instructions (faster again)
Eighth - I believe 64 bit systems also have additional registers (more registers than 32-bit systems) (again faster again)
Ninth - a fully 64-bit compiled system can process more instructions (some new 64-bit instructions) which can result in fewer CPU clock cycles need to perform a function. (((64-bit hardware can easily out-run 32-bit hardware with both CPUs clocked at the same CPU clock speed.
Tenth - newer hardware devices (40-gig network cards for example) usually come with **ux optimum 64-bit drivers. (again - again faster again).
Eleventh - a 32-bit system running 32-bit code can use twice the CPU/memory read/write clock cycles as a 64-bit system running 64-bit code. (again - lots of these - faster again)

So I ask - what good is a system (possibly 32-bit) on a multi-many core system if the clock speeds of the CPU cores is sllooowww and has little or nooo built-in CPU cache. In 5 years, we could have 10-Ghz Xeon CPUs 25-+ core with multi-gig CPU cache per core. It will happen sooner than you think. My first computer was a 4-bit PPS04 running at 300 Hz (then upgraded to the 8008 - then the 8086 and now the 64-Bit Xeon CPUs - my how things get faster.
The first hyper-visor I ever experienced back in the late 80s/early-90s took 3 days to boot DOS. So , even though hyper-visors are faster - a no-hyper-visor system is the fastest least overhead method to make something run incredibly fast. Thus a CHR ISO could kick start a 40-gig L3 full-network-speed routing platform.

North Idaho Tom Jones
Last edited by TomjNorthIdaho on Thu Sep 28, 2017 5:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 28, 2017 4:54 am

Fist - x86 is a 32-bit system
I was not aware that the X86 downloads were 32 bit only. Every one of your other points is based on this issue, so it really sounds like what you are asking for is an X86 install that is 64-bit. I understand at this point it may be easier to base this off of the CHR code, but this isn't a feature request for CHR itself. Also, given the "raw image" that is available, can't you just transfer, e.g. with dd, this to a hard drive? ethernet driver support might be a bit limited based on whatever is in the kernel, but at least this way you'd have a 64 bit OS on bare metal?
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 28, 2017 5:03 am

Fist - x86 is a 32-bit system
I was not aware that the X86 downloads were 32 bit only. Every one of your other points is based on this issue, so it really sounds like what you are asking for is an X86 install that is 64-bit. I understand at this point it may be easier to base this off of the CHR code, but this isn't a feature request for CHR itself. Also, given the "raw image" that is available, can't you just transfer, e.g. with dd, this to a hard drive? ethernet driver support might be a bit limited based on whatever is in the kernel, but at least this way you'd have a 64 bit OS on bare metal?
Click :)
Yea - I've been wanting to transfer a virtual CHR hdd system to a physical system and dump the hyper-visor and try running it on bare metal. I think it would work. :) But - I don't know about 10-gig network card driver support ... ??? However, 1-Gig Intel E1000 series network card might be supported.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 28, 2017 7:15 am

I would agree that a x86_64 ISO would be useful. I utilize several CHR and I do like them. The license check in I do find annoying. Kinda has a Microsoft feel.

The Elephant in the room is why there is not a CCR that has the balls to handle the more demanding tasks quickly and reliably. I don't think it matters if they have 400 cores if the frequency is only 1GHz or 1.2GHz

Perhaps if they could offload BGP to a FPGA or something. I would imagine that if Tilera GX came in 3GHz multicore we would not be complaining as much and CHR and x86_64 would not be that huge of an issue.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 28, 2017 9:23 am

I would agree that a x86_64 ISO would be useful. I utilize several CHR and I do like them. The license check in I do find annoying. Kinda has a Microsoft feel.

The Elephant in the room is why there is not a CCR that has the balls to handle the more demanding tasks quickly and reliably. I don't think it matters if they have 400 cores if the frequency is only 1GHz or 1.2GHz

Perhaps if they could offload BGP to a FPGA or something. I would imagine that if Tilera GX came in 3GHz multicore we would not be complaining as much and CHR and x86_64 would not be that huge of an issue.
Show me any Tilera / ROS system that can btest udp to 127.0.0.1 and get faster than 20 gig (or even half of that or even half of half of that) - there is no such thing. My ol clunker several years old CHR on a Xeon ESXi system can hold 19 gig all day long. Taking it to newer CPUs and running bare metal should hit 30+ gig on a btest to 127,0,0,1
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 28, 2017 11:20 am

Yea - I've been wanting to transfer a virtual CHR hdd system to a physical system and dump the hyper-visor and try running it on bare metal. I think it would work. :)
you may just convert your x86 installation to x86_64 :)
viewtopic.php?p=587018#p587018
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 28, 2017 11:25 am

Second - x86 does not have any paravirtual support
What do you need it for on a bare metal?
Sixth - 64-Bit operating systems also support 64-bit access to memory (faster)
Seventh - 64-Bit systems also can also use more efficient 64-bit compilers and use 64-bit instructions (faster again)
Eighth - I believe 64 bit systems also have additional registers (more registers than 32-bit systems) (again faster again)
Ninth - a fully 64-bit compiled system can process more instructions (some new 64-bit instructions) which can result in fewer CPU clock cycles need to perform a function. (((64-bit hardware can easily out-run 32-bit hardware with both CPUs clocked at the same CPU clock speed.
It's not that simple in reality. Being that straightforward shows to me that you do not really understand how this 32bit vs 64bit stuff works.

Please note that I do not argue that bare metal x86_64 ROS is a good thing to have. It would definitely have a lot of advantages. I'm just pointing out that your arguments are somewhat inaccurate.
Eleventh - a 32-bit system running 32-bit code can use twice the CPU/memory read/write clock cycles as a 64-bit system running 64-bit code. (again - lots of these - faster again)
WAT? :)
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Sep 28, 2017 11:30 am

Show me any Tilera / ROS system that can btest udp to 127.0.0.1 and get faster than 20 gig (or even half of that or even half of half of that) - there is no such thing.
I'd take it if your are only looking for something to run btest on. Comparing how fast btest is on a given hardware is just that- comparing the btest performance. Btest is known to be (a) single-threaded and (b) highly inefficient (even Mikrotik stuff have admitted that here multiple times). Result of such comparison will have no direct indication of how fast the other tasks run on the same hardware.

PS. There are lots of threads on this forum where the x86_64 version of RouterOS is requested, and where pros & cons are discussed. Let's keep this thread CHR-related. Thanks.

Edit: Further x86 vs x86_64 RouterOS discussion is here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=126117
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Oct 13, 2017 11:37 am

We have several places where we run CHR on AWS, both as central location for management/vpn-termination/dude and to use RouterOS for VPN-tunnels instead of having to struggle with the AWS VPN service.
To take this concept further, we would really be helped by the ability to install CHR on KVM and Google Cloud as well.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Oct 13, 2017 11:58 am

Google cloud requires features that are not possible to back-port to the version of the kernel that is used in the CHR. So unfortunately at the moment it is not possible to run the CHR on the Google cloud.
We have several places where we run CHR on AWS, both as central location for management/vpn-termination/dude and to use RouterOS for VPN-tunnels instead of having to struggle with the AWS VPN service.
To take this concept further, we would really be helped by the ability to install CHR on KVM and Google Cloud as well.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Oct 19, 2017 4:20 pm

Please support virtio SCSI storage controllers, see viewtopic.php?f=15&t=120413
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Sun Oct 29, 2017 10:33 pm

Make CHR to run on barebone switches. :-) http://www.edge-core.com/productsInfo.p ... 143&id=264
I second that for sure!!!
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Nov 02, 2017 5:10 am

First, it is not easy to use disk file. VPS provider often provide some linux distribution only.
We have a script can install RouterOS CHR on a VPS current running Ubuntu but there are still some problem.
I think we should have a installer can run on a lot of linux distribution.

Second, I think it's necessary to support more platform because VPS provider using variety of VM config that CHR can not run on.
Currently i have some VM provided by Bandwagon,which use a disk driver so CHR can not run on it.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Nov 02, 2017 10:13 am

Please support virtio SCSI storage controllers, see viewtopic.php?f=15&t=120413
yes this is important.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Nov 02, 2017 10:57 am

Currently i have some VM provided by Bandwagon,which use a disk driver so CHR can not run on it.
I guess it will always be possible to craft some environment in which a binary-only distribution cannot run.
The question is if it is worth the trouble to cater for that, or one just has to wait until all the "incompatible" and "difficult" environments just vanish from the market because customers no longer want to put up with those difficulties.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Nov 02, 2017 2:49 pm

Currently i have some VM provided by Bandwagon,which use a disk driver so CHR can not run on it.
I guess it will always be possible to craft some environment in which a binary-only distribution cannot run.
The question is if it is worth the trouble to cater for that, or one just has to wait until all the "incompatible" and "difficult" environments just vanish from the market because customers no longer want to put up with those difficulties.
There is hugge difference between "not working, becouse of difficult environment" and "not working, becouse of lack of one of the most important, mainline drivers". Look at similar problem at VyOS: https://phabricator.vyos.net/T389
Difficulty level Easy (less than an hour)
It's not only my whim to run CHR on KVM with SCSI-virtio. Look at the problem like this: KVM VPS hosting is cheapest full virtualisation on the market. If I want to provide homogenicall network environment with Routerboard devices It's natural to use CHR. If I can't use it becouse using obslate mode (driver) of Virtio storage (look closely at: https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/Paravirtua ... or_Windows ) everything is going to be more and more complicated (more expensive VPS with vmware or diffrent OS).


I tell it once more: Nowdays it's absolutly crucial to have support of VirtIO SCSI in CHR, please MT developers, make it work (please, please, please) :)

Edit:
Fixed in >= 6.42rc52
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Nov 08, 2017 3:55 pm

I want to see the following features:

- SD-WAN Overlay (Group multiple physical circuits into a "logical" one) using an overlay network (i.e. multiple IPSec or SSL tunnels on each physical circuits)
- Zero touch provisioning for SD-WAN interconnection
- Central controller to centrally manage all the RouterOS SD-WAN routers
- Central controller to define policies to be pushed for QoS, load balance per application layer and automatic re-routing based on policies.
- Traffic analysis / reporting
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Nov 08, 2017 7:08 pm

I doubt you will see such features. Would it be cool? Absolutely! I would imagine you will grow old and die before you see the requested features ;)

I made a Mikrotik based SD-WAN solution for a client that works quite well. I spent a month in the lab testing various scenarios to get the desired function. I think Pepwave & Mushroom are some possibilities if you are looking for manufactures that currently support SD-WAN solutions.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Sun Nov 19, 2017 6:56 pm

scnr, a unifi controller
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Sat Nov 25, 2017 7:43 pm

Please add Metarouter
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Sun Nov 26, 2017 10:35 am

Please add Metarouter
VM inside VM? Are you serious?
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Sun Nov 26, 2017 10:38 am

Inception hehe
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Mon Nov 27, 2017 12:01 pm

Please add Metarouter
VM inside VM? Are you serious?
Servers have had hardware support for this for ages. It is actually not as bad as it first sounds, but as always it depends on the application.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Mon Nov 27, 2017 12:26 pm

ROS can act as hypervisor host. Download extra packages for CHR and install KVM package. Keep in mind that nested virt (vm-in-vm) is not supported.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Dec 08, 2017 10:49 am

+ VM Tools please.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Dec 13, 2017 7:48 pm

Everyone is asking for Docker and other advanced things. How about we start with some very simple fundamental things like open-vm-tools...

Thanks!
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Dec 20, 2017 8:22 pm

Desired features:
  • Graceful shutdown/reboot on XenServer
  • XenMotion between hosts without freezing MikroTik router. (currently will cause MikroTik to lock up)
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Sat Dec 23, 2017 11:35 pm

VMTools is a must!
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Jan 05, 2018 10:30 am

Small web server, if MikroTik would want to give us something like that, would also make sense for any other RouterOS, not just CHR. And it's also true for pretty much anything else you can think of (any service and such).

CHR needs VM-specific stuff. VM tools being a nice example. Or all kinds of virtual drivers. And VMDK disks distributed as SCSI instead of IDE would also be nice.
+1 I think this should be a priority https://github.com/vmware/open-vm-tools
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Jan 10, 2018 7:35 pm

Another suggestion is if is possible to integrate storage over network (smb/nfs) mounts. In virtualization environment we can have both FB storage via esxi for example or other vm used as a storage 'proxy'. I'm not sure how complicated is to implement nfs/smb clients in routeros but is useful function for config backups / proxy storage (in other vm not over physical network :) .. form other side chr vm disk can be big but probably someone will find benefit in this for HW router board, no idea ) / and probably more
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Jan 10, 2018 7:51 pm

Desired features:
  • Graceful shutdown/reboot on XenServer
  • XenMotion between hosts without freezing MikroTik router. (currently will cause MikroTik to lock up)
+1
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Jan 12, 2018 10:41 pm

I see several requests across the forum for SD-WAN, CHR is a good candidate for http://wanproxy.org/ I just test it and look promising (at less for small network). Unfortunately total lack of documentation, however it is BSD licensed which should be ok to implement it in routeros. I'm sure routeros developers can make and they own tcp/wan optimization solution. The only stopper which I see is the cpu/ram usage for those types of solutions (limited in hw).. which we don't have in CHR (vm = cpu/ram+++++)
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Jan 12, 2018 10:53 pm

I doubt you will see such features. Would it be cool? Absolutely! I would imagine you will grow old and die before you see the requested features ;)

I made a Mikrotik based SD-WAN solution for a client that works quite well. I spent a month in the lab testing various scenarios to get the desired function. I think Pepwave & Mushroom are some possibilities if you are looking for manufactures that currently support SD-WAN solutions.
Can you please share with us what you mean with 'I made a Mikrotik based SD-WAN'. Do you mean: A -> some SD-WAN -> Mikrotik router -> some connectivity -> Mikrotik Router -> some SD-WAN -> B . Or you mean some directly integrated solution with roureros / maybe meta router ?
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:40 am

I doubt you will see such features. Would it be cool? Absolutely! I would imagine you will grow old and die before you see the requested features ;)

I made a Mikrotik based SD-WAN solution for a client that works quite well. I spent a month in the lab testing various scenarios to get the desired function. I think Pepwave & Mushroom are some possibilities if you are looking for manufactures that currently support SD-WAN solutions.
Can you please share with us what you mean with 'I made a Mikrotik based SD-WAN'. Do you mean: A -> some SD-WAN -> Mikrotik router -> some connectivity -> Mikrotik Router -> some SD-WAN -> B . Or you mean some directly integrated solution with roureros / maybe meta router ?

Client location has somewhat regular interruptions to their Internet. Currently we have a Coax, Fiber, LTE ISP connections. I form three tunnels back to my NOC (One per ISP) I allocated a /29 to them from my NOC and this works great. Their Internet connections are essentially just conduits to my NOC. They can lose two of the three Internet connections and they never notice. It wont even drop a VoIP call. Twas a bitch to build but it works well.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:55 pm

Good to see MikroTik are responsive.
Xen Tools and VM Tools are now available in 6.42RC. The "current" build of 6.42 can't come fast enough for me!
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Jan 26, 2018 3:59 pm

Good to see MikroTik are responsive.
Xen Tools and VM Tools are now available in 6.42RC. The "current" build of 6.42 can't come fast enough for me!
THANK YOU MIKROTIK!
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Jan 31, 2018 11:10 pm

MT Support
is so difficult to create an iso version of CHR ?
because some KVM like ramnode dont allow to use virtual disk only iso
 
th0massin0
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:22 am

Don't ask about CHR. I think that this product isn't interesting for MT developers as in the beginning of existence.
To bypass your problem, use ISO of your favourite live linux (without installation) and my guide:
viewtopic.php?t=120413

Keep in mind if your cloud provider (ramnode) use current version of KVM, they probably forcing to use VirtIO-SCSI.... and CHR currently doesn't supports it.
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=124905&start=100#p626094
I will be appreciated if you will test it.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:31 am

Don't ask about CHR. I think that this product isn't interesting for MT developers as in the beginning of existence.
To bypass your problem, use ISO of your favourite live linux (without installation) and my guide:
viewtopic.php?t=120413

Keep in mind if your cloud provider (ramnode) use current version of KVM, they probably forcing to use VirtIO-SCSI.... and CHR currently doesn't supports it.
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=124905&start=100#p626094
I will be appreciated if you will test it.
Hi thank allot i will post a print on your topic for dont fload this topic
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Feb 07, 2018 3:32 pm

Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

How about a Mikrotik 8 or 12 or 24 port Ethernet switch - but not switch like what you are used to - noooo - how about this instead ....

1) - A Mikrotik L2/L3 switch that is actually a PC card that fits into a PCI slot on in a server rack-mount computer.
2) - Some VMware ESXi drivers for the Mikrotik switch (and also for other hypervisor OS systems).

Hardware switches are always faster than software emulated switches.
It makes sense that by injecting a real physical hardware switch into a hypervisor system, you would gain I/O throughput speed.
It is not un-common for a hypervisor server system (VmWare ESXi or other) to be running 12 to 50+ virtual operating systems.
All hypervisors use CPU resource consuming software emulated switches. This is a real I/O throughput killer on a busy system.
By adding to or replacing the hypervisor switch with a real physical switch, all virtual machines can run at true physical port speeds while avoiding the I/O bottelnecks of a simulated/emulated layer 2 ethernet switch.

I would think one hardware engineer and one software engineer could easily kick out a working prototype.
I also think a Mikrotik product like this could be a world changing event for the way all server centers operate.

North Idaho Tom Jones
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Feb 14, 2018 1:34 pm

MT Support
is so difficult to create an iso version of CHR ?
because some KVM like ramnode dont allow to use virtual disk only iso
For easier installing we have introduced CHR in OVA format, it is available on the download page.
 
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normis
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:12 pm

ISO is something to make a CD from. Why don't you simply migrate to a cheaper and more modern Cloud provider?

Linode can do it, Hetzner can do it. More powerful machines, SSD disks and cheaper price:

https://www.hetzner.com/cloud
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Feb 14, 2018 3:53 pm

Regarding Hetzner, CHR would need to be able to boot from Virtio SCSI. Not a good example normis.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Feb 14, 2018 6:15 pm

Question about CHR ,
1st - it makes sense that ROS 32-Bit probably has everything compiled with a 32-bit compiler.
Now for my question : Is everything in CHR compiled with a 64-bit compiler ?
Or - are just some things in CHR compiled with a 64-bit compiler (such as the booted operating system and/or some programs that may need greater than 2 gig of direct memory access) ?

The reason I ask - and I might be wrong here - is because at one time when I did a CHR version downgrade using system-packages, I think I used a 32-bit ROS version and I think it worked - which makes me think that 32-Bit ROS and CHR might share some of the same 32-bit compiled code --- don't know - just asking.

If parts of CHR are 32-bit , then another question , would a 100 percent everything in CHR compiled with a 64-bit compiler possibly run any faster ?

Just a thought/question

also - it would be nice if x86 32-bit ROS could support paravirtual ethernet drivers - such as a vmxnet3 network card. I suspect this might be one of the reasons why I sometimes see x86 32-bit ROS lock-up under heavy network card I/O when using emulated network cards without any paravirtual driver support.

also - it would be really desireable to see an ISO boot to install CHR. Then CHR could run on bare metal boxes much much faster than in a hypervisor enviornment where it is not using 100 percent of all CPU/memory & I/O resources - and still be able to install in a hypervisor enviornment if wanted.

also - it would be nice if CHR could boot to a paravirtulized (driver optomized) hard disk. Paravirtual drivers are almost always faster and use less CPU/memory/interrumpts and deliver faster I/O throughput.

North Idaho Tom Jones
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Feb 15, 2018 2:34 pm

ISO is something to make a CD from. Why don't you simply migrate to a cheaper and more modern Cloud provider?

Linode can do it, Hetzner can do it. More powerful machines, SSD disks and cheaper price:

https://www.hetzner.com/cloud
Could you tell us please when is planned to add VirtIO-SCSI boot support?
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Feb 15, 2018 3:10 pm

Could you tell us please when is planned to add VirtIO-SCSI boot support?
The kernel used by RouterOS v6.x does not support it, so you can probably safely say: not until RouterOS v7.
That version could be released next week, next month, next year or next decade...
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Feb 15, 2018 3:36 pm

CHR would need to be able to boot from Virtio SCSI. Not a good example normis.
We'll see about that.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Feb 16, 2018 3:28 pm

What's new in 6.42rc28 (2018-Feb-16 07:02):

*) chr - added "virtio-scsi" driver on KVM installations;
*) chr - added support for Hyper-V ballooning;
*) chr - added support for Hyper-V guest quiescing;
*) chr - added support for Hyper-V host-guest file transfer;
*) chr - added support for Hyper-V integration services;
*) chr - added support for Hyper-V static IP injection;
*) chr - added support for NIC hot-plug on VMware and Xen installations;
*) chr - fixed additional disk detaching on Xen installations;

We would like to receive your comments about these CHR features.
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Feb 16, 2018 4:48 pm

Hi!
Could you tell us please when is planned to add VirtIO-SCSI boot support?

Look at the release notes of ROS 6.42rc28 (2018-Feb-16 07:02):
*) chr - added "virtio-scsi" driver on KVM installations;
Is that what you are looking for?
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Fri Feb 16, 2018 8:15 pm

Very nice. I can confirm, rc28 is able to boot in Hetzner cloud. Thank you!
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Tue Feb 20, 2018 12:26 pm

Can we run CHR in Google Cloud now?
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Wed Feb 21, 2018 12:06 am

Could MPLS on vsphere/esxi be requested as new functionality?

Thu Jul 06, 2017 3:43 am

TSO, GSO and GRO need to be disabled also on guests, so you will have to wait for new CHR build.

viewtopic.php?t=122446
viewtopic.php?t=128396
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Feb 22, 2018 12:24 pm

Yes. We tested on 6.42rc30, instructions available on the wiki page - https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:CHR_GCE
Can we run CHR in Google Cloud now?
 
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Re: CHR suggestions for new functionality

Thu Feb 22, 2018 2:54 pm

these new features are packages that can be deactivated or disabled? These drivers can not cause conflicts with each other?
What's new in 6.42rc28 (2018-Feb-16 07:02):

*) chr - added "virtio-scsi" driver on KVM installations;
*) chr - added support for Hyper-V ballooning;
*) chr - added support for Hyper-V guest quiescing;
*) chr - added support for Hyper-V host-guest file transfer;
*) chr - added support for Hyper-V integration services;
*) chr - added support for Hyper-V static IP injection;
*) chr - added support for NIC hot-plug on VMware and Xen installations;
*) chr - fixed additional disk detaching on Xen installations;

We would like to receive your comments about these CHR features.

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