MULTI-WAN SHIPBOARD GATEWAY

Intelligent routing for changing sea conditions.

A MikroTik RouterOS-based network gateway architecture that distributes traffic across multiple WAN connections and keeps local routing policies under vessel-side control.

SHIPBOARD EDGE

Flexible 4-WAN architecture

Build a practical gateway configuration around up to four assigned WAN interfaces and dedicated LAN connectivity, subject to the selected MikroTik model and port allocation.

StarlinkVSAT4G / 5GRouterOS 7
Concept illustration of a four-WAN network gateway

Reference architecture, not a certified or pre-tested product specification.

CORE CAPABILITIES

A gateway designed around your traffic policy.

The exact configuration depends on the vessel, satellite terminals, cellular modems and onboard applications.

Weighted connection distribution

Use PCC and routing policy design to distribute new connections according to configured weights.

Link health and failover

Monitor upstream reachability and apply failover or policy changes based on tested conditions.

NAT and network separation

Keep onboard LAN addressing stable while changing upstream WAN routes; established internet sessions may reconnect.

Per-WAN visibility

Read individual interface counters, throughput and health metrics for operational monitoring.

Traffic and cost policy

Prioritize connectivity by business class, link availability, data cost and project-specific rules.

Remote configuration

Update approved RouterOS configurations through secure management channels and documented procedures.

Important: Multi-WAN load balancing is not the same as true single-session bandwidth bonding. Changing WAN public IPs can interrupt active calls, VPN sessions or downloads. Dynamic link-quality scoring and seamless session continuity require additional design and testing.
REFERENCE TOPOLOGY

Shipboard architecture

A local gateway can manage WAN routes independently from cloud connectivity.

VESSEL NETWORK · REFERENCE DESIGN4 WAN + LAN
MikroTik Shipboard GatewayPCC · Routing · NAT · Firewall
WAN 1Starlink
WAN 2VSAT
WAN 34G / 5G
WAN 4Backup
◉ Crew Wi-Fi▣ Office LAN⛨ Secure Management

Design considerations

WAN interfacesFour designated WAN interfaces in a reference design; physical ports depend on hardware.
LAN / Wi-FiSeparated LAN, VLAN and wireless networks according to vessel requirements.
RoutingRouterOS 7 policy routing, PCC / ECMP where appropriate.
FailoverLocal route monitoring and fallback paths; behavior must be validated per WAN.
ManagementSecure RouterOS API / SSH / VPN integration, subject to deployment design.
Hardware selectionMikroTik L009, RB5009 or other suitable devices after capacity assessment.
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