routeros-inspector-mcp

A constrained, read-only MCP server for MikroTik RouterOS inventory inspection and policy-backed audits.

The server is fixture-only by default. Live access requires an explicit --live flag, inventory-defined devices, read-only credentials, and fail-closed transport configuration. It does not expose arbitrary RouterOS commands or mutation tools.

Safety model

• No arbitrary command execution

• No mutation, reboot, restore, firmware, or user-management tools

• No caller-supplied hosts or IP addresses; callers select inventory device IDs only

• Fixture-only operation unless --live is explicitly supplied

• Verified API-SSL with pinned CA trust, hostname verification, and TLS 1.2+

• No plaintext downgrade when TLS is configured

• Allowlisted client errors and redacted outputs

• Bounded audit fan-out

• Stdio by default; optional HTTP is forced to 127.0.0.1

See docs/deployment.md for the complete deployment boundary and CHANGELOG.md for release history.

Related MCP server: LimaCharlie MCP

Requirements

• Python 3.11+

• RouterOS 7 for live API use

• ansible-vault only when using the included Vault credential provider

Installation

python -m venv .venv
. .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install -e '.[test]'

Fixture-first quick start

The checked-in inventory, policy, and RouterOS data are purpose-built synthetic examples. They contain no live-derived topology.

routeros-inspector list-devices --summary
routeros-inspector audit \
  --devices edge-router,core-switch \
  --audits vlan_consistency,wan_failover_state,snmp_scope \
  --summary
python scripts/smoke_mcp_fixture.py
python -m routeros_inspector_mcp.server --transport stdio

Fixture mode never constructs a live RouterOS backend, even if an explicitly supplied inventory declares live transports.

Configuration

Copy the synthetic examples before configuring live access:

cp config/devices.example.yaml config/devices.yaml
cp config/policy.example.yaml config/policy.yaml

config/devices.yaml and config/policy.yaml are ignored because real inventories and policies reveal operational details. Keep certificates and live captures outside the repository.

A verified API-SSL inventory entry looks like:

devices:
  edge-router:
    role: gateway
    risk: critical
    host: router.example.net
    transport: api
    credential_ref: vault_mikrotik_readonly
    allowed: true
    routeros_api_port: 8729
    routeros_api_tls: true
    routeros_api_certificate: /absolute/path/to/router-ca.pem
    routeros_api_server_name: router.example.net

TLS mode requires TCP/8729, a readable CA/certificate path, and a nonempty DNS name or IP SAN identity. Configuration errors fail closed and never trigger plaintext fallback.

Credential provider

The included provider resolves <credential_ref>_username and <credential_ref>_password from an Ansible Vault without logging values. Configure it with:

export ROUTEROS_INSPECTOR_VAULT_DIR="$HOME/.config/routeros-inspector-mcp"
export ROUTEROS_INSPECTOR_VAULT_FILE="vault.yml"
export ROUTEROS_INSPECTOR_VAULT_PASSWORD_FILE=".vault_pass"

The two file variables may also be absolute paths. Use a dedicated RouterOS read-only identity. Do not use a personal administrator or write-capable credential.

MCP tools

The server exposes fixed collectors such as device summaries, interfaces, bridge VLANs, routes, firewall tables, DHCP/ARP state, queues, WireGuard metadata, and IP services. It also exposes named audits for firmware, SNMP scope, STP, VLAN/trunk consistency, route ownership, WAN failover, encrypted DNS, QoS/DSCP, and backup metadata.

Tool responses omit connection details and credential references. Sensitive RouterOS fields are redacted.

Private fixture capture

scripts/refresh_routeros_fixture.py can transform an existing private artifact directory without network access. Live collection additionally requires the explicit --capture-live flag and explicit Ansible root, inventory, playbook, and Vault password paths. Captures still reveal topology and policy and default to the ignored artifacts/private-fixtures/ directory. Never copy them into tests/fixtures/routeros/ or commit them. Public tests must use purpose-built synthetic fixtures.

Development

make ci

Equivalent commands:

ruff check .
pytest -n auto -q
python -m compileall -q src tests

Security

Please read SECURITY.md before enabling live mode. Report vulnerabilities privately rather than opening a public issue.

License

MIT — see LICENSE.