Limiting Bandwidth for a Specific Device Using Simple Queues on MikroTik Print

Hello again! It’s Emmanuel Corels from Emmanuel Corels Creatives. Today, let’s get practical with a very common need: ensuring one device doesn’t hog all the bandwidth on your network. Whether it’s a coworker’s streaming machine or a gaming console that’s slowing everyone down, you can easily limit a device’s speed using MikroTik’s Simple Queues. Let’s walk through how to set this up step by step.

The Scenario

Imagine your network’s on the 192.168.88.0/24 subnet, and you have a device with IP 192.168.88.50 that you’d like to cap at 2 Mbps for both download and upload. This way, the rest of your devices get a fair share of the bandwidth.

Step 1: Open Simple Queues in WinBox

1. Log in to WinBox and go to Queues → Simple Queues.
2. Click the “+” button to add a new queue.

Step 2: Configure the Queue for the Specific Device

In the new queue window:

• Name: Give your queue a friendly name like “Limit_Device_50.”
• Target: Enter the IP address of the device, e.g., 192.168.88.50/32.
• Max Limit: Set both the Download and Upload speeds to 2M/2M (which means 2 Mbps for each direction).

Example settings in WinBox:

• Name: Limit_Device_50
• Target: 192.168.88.50/32
• Max Limit: 2M/2M

Click OK to save the rule.

Step 3: Verify the Queue Is Active

• Navigate back to the Simple Queues list.
• You should see “Limit_Device_50” listed. The “Target” column confirms it’s set for 192.168.88.50, and the “Max Limit” columns show your defined speed.
• Use the Queue Monitor (available in WinBox) to see real-time bandwidth usage on that device.

CLI Alternative

If you prefer the command line, you can achieve the same with a few simple commands:

1. Add the Simple Queue:

   /queue simple add name="Limit_Device_50" target=192.168.88.50/32 max-limit=2M/2M
   

2. Review the Queue:

   /queue simple print
   

   This should list your new queue along with its parameters.

Troubleshooting and Practical Tips

• Device IP Changes: If your device uses DHCP, consider creating a DHCP reservation so it always gets the same IP (e.g., 192.168.88.50). This keeps your queue effective.
• Check Queue Order: Simple Queues are generally processed independently, but ensure no conflicting rules exist.
• Test Bandwidth: Use an online speed test or file download to verify that the device’s speed is capped at around 2 Mbps. Sometimes network overhead can make the numbers seem a bit different.
• Monitoring: If you notice performance issues or need to adjust, simply edit the queue’s settings in WinBox or via CLI.

Final Thoughts

Limiting bandwidth for a specific device using Simple Queues is one of those practical tweaks that can dramatically improve overall network performance. With just a few clicks or commands, you can ensure that no single device overwhelms your network. It’s a handy tool for both home and small office environments.

Feel free to experiment with different limits or set up additional queues for other devices. If you run into any questions or need further guidance, I’m here to help. Happy networking, and may your bandwidth always be shared fairly!

Explained with practical clarity by
Emmanuel Corels – Admin, Emmanuel Corels Creatives