Point-to-Point Addressing · Topic 1 of 1

Point to Point Address Configuration

Learn how to configure point to point addresses in RouterOS with the network parameter, why they save address space, and how to check the connected route.

5 min

In a nutshell

A point to point address uses one address per router and no subnet.
The network parameter holds the peer address.
The address is a single host address, written with a /32 prefix length.

What it is

A point to point address links two routers using one address each, with no subnet around them.

On a normal link you give both routers addresses from the same subnet, such as a /30. That subnet also reserves a network address and a broadcast address, which no host can use.

With a point to point address, each router gets a single address and learns the other router's address as the peer. Only those two addresses exist on the link.

How it works

You set the local address on the interface, and put the peer address in the network parameter.

The network parameter

In RouterOS the network value of an address normally holds the subnet's network address. For a point to point link, you write the address of the remote router there instead.

/ip address add address=10.255.0.1/32 network=10.255.0.2 interface=ether2

This is the configuration on R1. Notice the /32 prefix length, which makes the address a single host address.

R2 mirrors the setup with the two values swapped.

/ip address add address=10.255.0.2/32 network=10.255.0.1 interface=ether2

The connected route

RouterOS makes a connected route from each address. For a normal address, the route points to the whole subnet. For a point to point address, the route points only at the peer.

/ip route print where dst-address=10.255.0.2/32

On R1 you see a connected route with the destination 10.255.0.2/32. The preferred source of that route is the local address 10.255.0.1. Packets to the peer leave through ether2 and carry the local address as their source.

Traffic for networks behind the peer still needs ordinary routes. Add a static route or run a routing protocol, and use the peer address as the gateway.

/ip route add dst-address=192.168.20.0/24 gateway=10.255.0.2

Why use it

The main reasons are saving addresses and flexible numbering.

Method	Addresses used per link	Notes
Normal /30 subnet	Four, two usable	Network and broadcast addresses are wasted
Point to point addresses	Two	Each end is a single host address

Because the two ends are not tied to a shared subnet, they can come from different ranges. A provider can number the router end from its own range and the customer end from another. The only requirement is that each router knows the peer address.

This is also the way PPP links work. When a PPP tunnel comes up, the local and remote addresses are applied as a pair of single addresses, and the connected route points at the remote address.

Matching both ends

Both routers must agree on the pair. If R1 lists the wrong peer, the connected route points at an address that R2 does not use, and traffic does not flow.

Check that the peer address is not already used by a different connected network on the same router. Two paths to one address would make the result unpredictable.

Verifying

/ip address print
/ip route print
/ping 10.255.0.2

The address list shows the peer address in the network column. A successful ping to the peer confirms the link and both address entries.

Exam tip

Read the network column of /ip address print on a point to point link. It shows the peer, not a subnet.

What to remember for the exam

Seven facts cover most questions on this topic.

A point to point address uses one address per router and no subnet.
The network parameter holds the peer address.
The address is a single host address, written with a /32 prefix length.
Each router needs the mirror configuration of the other.
The connected route points at the peer address as a single host route.
Networks behind the peer still need static routes or a routing protocol.
A point to point link wastes fewer addresses than a /30 subnet.

Watch out

With a normal address the network value is the subnet. On a point to point link, put the peer address there instead.

Common mistakes

These four errors appear often.

Using a wider prefix than /32. A point to point address is a single host address, so keep to the form shown above.

Writing the local address in the network parameter. The router then has no peer, and the connected route is wrong.

Copying the same line to the second router. R2 needs its own address in address and R1's address in network. Copying the first line unchanged breaks both ends.

Forgetting routes to the networks behind the peer. The peer is reachable, but the LAN behind it is not until a route is added.

Check yourself

Work through these three questions.

Which parameter holds the remote router address in a point to point configuration?
The network parameter holds the peer address. The address parameter holds the local address.
What connected route does R1 get from address=10.255.0.1/32 network=10.255.0.2?
It gets a route to 10.255.0.2/32 through the interface. The preferred source of that route is 10.255.0.1.
Why are point to point addresses useful, and what do you still need to add?
They use only two addresses per link instead of a whole subnet. You still need static routes or a routing protocol for networks behind the peer.

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