Mikrotik

Recommended Hardware Nekotopia works with affordable MikroTik routers running RouterOS v7. These compact devices support WireGuard natively and provide a dedicated WAN and LAN port configuration for connecting your home server or vintage machine to the torus. Here are some widely available options:

MikroTik hEX lite (RB750r2) ~$40 USD The entry point. Five 100Mbps Ethernet ports, 850MHz single-core CPU, and 64MB RAM in a palm-sized plastic case. It won't win any speed records, but for sharing a low-traffic retro site or BBS, it's more than enough. Possibly the cheapest MPLS-capable router you can buy. Good for: Minimal setups, tight budgets, nostalgia projects that don't need gigabit speeds.

MikroTik hEX (RB750Gr3) ~$60 USD The sweet spot. Five Gigabit Ethernet ports, dual-core 880MHz CPU, 256MB RAM, USB port, and microSD slot. Handles WireGuard with ease and has headroom for firewall rules and traffic shaping. IPsec hardware acceleration if you need it. Good for: Most users. Fast enough for modern connections, powerful enough to run a proper firewall, cheap enough not to worry about.

MikroTik hEX S (RB760iGS) ~$79 USD Everything the hEX has, plus an SFP port and PoE output on port 5. Same dual-core 880MHz CPU and 256MB RAM. The SFP cage lets you connect fiber directly if your ISP provides it, and the PoE output can power a small access point or camera. Good for: Users with fiber connections, those who want to power a device off the router, or anyone who just wants a bit more flexibility.

What You'll Need Any of these routers can be configured as a Nekotopia edge device:

Port 1 (WAN): Connect to your existing internet router or modem Port 2+ (LAN): Connect your home server, vintage PC, or whatever you're sharing

The router establishes a WireGuard tunnel to the Nekotopia infrastructure, making your machine reachable to other torus members without exposing it to the open internet. RouterOS v7 is required for native WireGuard support. All current MikroTik devices ship with RouterOS v7, and older devices can be upgraded.

Where to Buy These routers are available from Amazon, Newegg, Baltic Networks, ISP Supplies, and MikroTik distributors worldwide. Stock is generally good—they're popular devices. Used units on eBay work fine too. RouterOS licenses are tied to the hardware, not the owner, so second-hand devices are fully functional.