Establishing secure network connections between a RouterOS device and a mobile device running a recent operating system version commonly involves configuring Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) using a Pre-Shared Key (PSK) for authentication. This setup allows for encrypted communication, safeguarding data transmitted between the devices. As an example, a network administrator might configure a RouterOS router to accept IKEv2 connections from Android devices, utilizing a PSK for user authentication before granting access to internal network resources. This method is employed for creating a Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel.
The adoption of this method is crucial for protecting sensitive information and ensuring data confidentiality during transmission, especially when utilizing public or untrusted networks. Historically, IKEv2 has been recognized for its stability and efficient handling of network interruptions, providing a more reliable VPN connection compared to older protocols. Furthermore, the PSK method offers a simple and readily implementable authentication mechanism, suitable for environments where complex certificate management is not feasible.