Mikrotik Configuration Generator

Project Highlights

• •Cross-platform desktop application
• •Built with Go and Wails framework
• •Evolved through multiple iterations and technologies
• •Simplified workflow for ISP technicians
• •Self-contained executable with embedded filesystem

Technical Requirements

The application needed to work offline and be a self-contained executable, which limited the choice of frameworks and technologies.

User Experience

The initial TUI (Text User Interface) was easy to develop but difficult for entry-level technicians to learn and use efficiently.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Finding a framework that could produce a lightweight, cross-platform application with a modern UI proved challenging.

Version 1.0: Python Console Program

The initial version was a Python console application with a text-based interface. While functional, it had limitations:

• •Lots of duplicated code, particularly in string templates
• •TUI was difficult for entry-level technicians to learn

def input_validation(x):
    '''This function substitutes characters that will break
    Mikrotik Scripting Syntax with their
    corresponding hex code.'''
    syntax_breakers = {
        '[': '\5B',
        ']': '\5C',
        '(': '\28',
        ')': '\29',
        '$': '\$',
        '?': '\?',
        '{': '\7B',
        '}': '\7D',
        ':': '\3A',
        ';': '\3B',
        '\': '\\'
    }
    syntax_breakers_list = list(syntax_breakers.keys())
    for c in x:
        for key in syntax_breakers_list:
            if c == key:
                x = x.replace(c, syntax_breakers.get(c))
                syntax_breakers_list.remove(c)
    return x

Version 2.0: Go with Wails

The final solution was built with Go and Wails, which offered several advantages:

• •Go's Embed feature made it trivial to include an entire filesystem in the binary
• •The templating engine in Go's standard library allowed reuse of templates with minor changes
• •Wails provided a modern UI framework that met all project requirements

app := wails.CreateApp(&wails.AppConfig{
    Width:     576,
    Height:    576,
    Title:     "Mikrotik Configuration Generator v" + version,
    JS:        js,
    CSS:       css,
    Colour:    "#131313",
    Resizable: true,
})

app.Bind(builder.BuildFiber)
app.Bind(builder.BuildeFiber)
app.Bind(builder.BuildRadio)
app.Bind(builder.BuildRouter)
app.Run()

Standardized Configurations

The application successfully standardized router configurations, reducing the complexity of troubleshooting and maintenance. Technicians could now generate consistent configurations with minimal training.

Improved Efficiency

The intuitive UI significantly reduced the time required to configure routers, allowing technicians to complete installations more quickly and with fewer errors.