In MikroTik RouterOS, both the graphical interface and the command line console (CLI) offer powerful and flexible ways to configure and manage your devices.

It is not strictly necessary to know how to configure MikroTik through the console to perform most administrative tasks, since graphical interfaces such as WinBox and WebFig are quite complete and cover practically all basic and advanced configuration needs.

However, there are several reasons why knowledge of console configuration can be valuable:

Advantages of using the graphical interface (WinBox/WebFig):

1. Accessibility: Graphical interfaces are friendly and accessible, especially for new users or those less comfortable with command line interfaces.
2. Display: Provide a visual representation of device configuration and status, which can make it easier to understand and manage your network.
3. Ease of use: They allow complex configurations to be made through menus and forms without having to remember specific commands.

Advantages of using the CLI:

1. Speed ​​and Efficiency: For experienced users, the CLI can be much faster to perform configurations, especially when you know the commands well.
2. Automation: The CLI allows automation through scripting, which is useful for applying configurations to multiple devices or performing repetitive tasks.
3. Advanced functionalities: Some advanced settings may require fine adjustments that can sometimes only be achieved through the CLI.

Situations where CLI may be necessary:

• Detailed troubleshooting: Some issues may require diagnostics that are only available or more accessible through the CLI.
• Recovery scenarios: In situations where the graphical interface is not accessible, the CLI may be the only option to recover or reconfigure a device.
• Very specific or advanced settings: Although rare, there may be cases where certain configurations can only be done through the CLI.

Conclusion:

It is not essential to know how to configure MikroTik using the CLI to effectively manage MikroTik devices, thanks to the robust graphical tools provided by RouterOS.

However, having CLI skills can significantly improve your ability to efficiently manage the network, perform advanced diagnostics, and customize settings to specific needs.

Therefore, learning how to use the CLI can be very beneficial, especially for network administrators looking to maximize their control over MikroTik devices.