ROSE: RAMdisk

Introduction

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on using RAMdisk in MikroTik RouterOS. RAMdisk is a storage alternative that utilizes RAM as a block device, offering high-speed access for temporary data storage. This can enhance performance for applications that require fast I/O operations.

Step 1: Access the RouterOS Terminal

• Open your MikroTik RouterOS interface.
• Access the terminal by either:
  • Clicking on the terminal icon in the Winbox application.
  • Using SSH to connect to your router from a command-line interface.

Step 2: Create a RAMdisk

• Use the following command to create a RAMdisk:

  /system ramdisk add name=ramdisk1 size=256M
  

  • Replace 256M with your desired size (e.g., 512M for 512 megabytes).
  • Name the RAMdisk appropriately (e.g., ramdisk1).

Step 3: Format the RAMdisk

• Format the newly created RAMdisk using the following command:

  /disk format ramdisk1
  

• Ensure that the RAMdisk is properly formatted before use.

Step 4: Mount the RAMdisk

• To make the RAMdisk available for use, mount it using:

  /disk mount ramdisk1
  

• Verify that the RAMdisk is mounted correctly by checking the disk list:

  /disk print
  

Step 5: Use the RAMdisk

• You can now use the RAMdisk for storing files temporarily. For example, to copy a file to the RAMdisk, use:

  /file copy source-file.txt destination=ramdisk1/source-file.txt
  

• Remember that data stored in the RAMdisk will be lost upon reboot or power loss.

Practical Tips

• Use RAMdisk for temporary files like logs or caches to improve performance.
• Monitor your RAM usage to avoid exhausting memory resources.
• Regularly back up critical data that should not be lost.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Avoid using RAMdisk for permanent storage needs, as data is volatile.
• Ensure that your router has enough RAM to allocate the desired size for the RAMdisk.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to create and utilize a RAMdisk in MikroTik RouterOS. By leveraging RAM for temporary storage, you can significantly enhance the performance of certain applications. For next steps, consider experimenting with different sizes and uses for your RAMdisk to find optimal settings for your specific needs.