Why Replace Your Home Router With a MikroTik hAP AX2 Dual Band Router?

MikroTik Router Model: MikroTik hAP AX2 Dual Band Router (C52iG-5HaxD2HaxD-TC)

If your ISP-supplied router struggles with performance, coverage, or features, upgrading to the MikroTik hAP AX2 can transform your home network. This guide explains why the MikroTik hAP AX2 is a strong replacement for standard ISP hubs and shows you how to set it up step by step.

Key Reasons to Choose MikroTik Over a Standard ISP Router

• Performance – Handles multiple devices and streaming without slowdowns. The hAP AX2 delivers strong throughput and stability.
• WiFi Coverage – Standard ISP routers often have low output power. The hAP AX2 typically delivers two to three times the effective WiFi performance.
• Advanced Controls – Configure port forwarding, VPNs, VLANs, custom firewall rules, and flexible WiFi profiles.
• Remote Access – MikroTik IP Cloud provides free DDNS for easy remote access. Note: not compatible with CGNAT addresses.

What You Need Before You Start

• A powered MikroTik hAP AX2
• An Ethernet cable for initial setup
• A Windows or macOS device to run WinBox or access WebFig
• Your ISP details if you use PPPoE or VLAN tagging for fibre

Login Options

You can configure MikroTik via a web browser or with WinBox. WinBox is faster and works across most MikroTik devices.

• Download WinBox from the official site: MikroTik downloads
• Extract the ZIP file and run the executable.

Connect to the Router

1. Connect your computer to ports 2–5 with Ethernet. Port ether1 is the WAN port. You can also join the default WiFi using the password on the router label (Pwd-wlan).
2. Open WinBox and look under Neighbours. Select the router by IP for stability or by MAC if the config is reset.
3. Enter the device password from the sticker (Pwd) and select Connect.

Configure WiFi

1. Open the WiFi section and select the interface you want to edit.
2. Under Configuration, set your SSID and country.
3. Under Channel, choose the latest standard and set channel width. Use the widest channel available unless you experience interference.
4. Under Security, set a strong WiFi password. You can toggle password visibility in Global Settings.
5. Repeat these steps for the second band. Use the same SSID and password for seamless roaming, or separate names if you want manual selection.

Tip: 5 GHz provides higher speed at shorter range. 2.4 GHz offers wider coverage at lower speed.

Connect to Your ISP

If your MikroTik connects to a DHCP network, such as a modem or a router in modem mode, you can be online quickly. If your ISP requires PPPoE with VLAN tagging, follow the Fibre setup section below.

Virgin Media Modem Mode

1. Go to 192.168.0.1 and log in with the password on the Virgin Media router.
2. Enable Modem Mode.
3. Connect MikroTik ether1 (WAN) to the Virgin router LAN port.
4. In MikroTik, open IP → DHCP Client and confirm ether1 receives a public IP. If you see 100.64.0.1–100.127.255.254, that is CGNAT and port forwarding or VPN server will not work.

PPPoE and VLAN Setup for Fibre ISPs

1. Create a VLAN interface in Interfaces. Name it clearly (e.g., vlan1.10 if your ISP uses VLAN ID 10). Select ether1 as the parent interface.
2. Create a PPPoE client in PPP. Select the VLAN interface, enter your PPPoE username and password, and tick Use Peer DNS and Add Default Route.
3. Add interfaces to the WAN list in Interfaces → Interface List. Set List to WAN and add both VLAN and PPPoE interfaces.
4. Verify connection in PPP. Open the PPPoE client and check Status. It should show “connected” if setup is correct.