All in One router VM: OpenWrt, RouterOS, iKuai, iStoreOS
Run your router as a VM on AiRouter—compare OpenWrt, MikroTik RouterOS, iKuai, and iStoreOS on Proxmox or ESXi.
On an all-in-one host you do not need a separate metal router: install one router VM on Proxmox VE or ESXi 9, bridge or passthrough WAN/LAN NICs, and pick the OS you already trust—OpenWrt, RouterOS, iKuai, or iStoreOS.
Shared rules
- Keep the router VM always on with reserved CPU/RAM so NAS batch jobs do not starve it
- Check KVM/ESXi drivers when you need hardware offload or odd NICs
- Split routing from NAS VMs so firewall experiments do not reboot storage
OpenWrt
Strengths
Open firmware, huge package feed, many community images (iStoreOS is in the same family).
Good for
Homes and small offices: guest Wi‑Fi, ad blocking, proxy plugins, VLAN playbooks.
VM tips
Use x86_64 images with virtio NICs; snapshot before major uci changes.
RouterOS (MikroTik)
Strengths
Dense networking features and scripting; CHR licenses scale with throughput.
Good for
MikroTik admins who want queues, VPN, and carrier-style toys (home labs often use CHR free/low tier).
VM tips
Match CHR level to vCPU count; passthrough NICs reduce virtualization tax.
iKuai
Strengths
Chinese UI, straightforward traffic control and behavior management.
Good for
Shops and families who prefer GUIs over CLI for policy and multi-WAN basics.
VM tips
Install the official x86 image on its own virtual disk; watch RAM if Docker-heavy apps run elsewhere.
iStoreOS
Strengths
OpenWrt-based with a friendlier app store feel, NAS hooks, and Docker conveniences.
Good for
Users who want routing plus light downloads/containers without maintaining raw OpenWrt feeds.
VM tips
Give disk and RAM headroom; heavy downloaders still belong in a dedicated NAS VM.
One-line picks
| OS | In one sentence |
|---|---|
| OpenWrt | Open, flexible, plugin-rich |
| RouterOS | Powerful if you already speak MikroTik |
| iKuai | Chinese UI, easy traffic policies |
| iStoreOS | Gentler OpenWrt experience |
Stack links
- Hypervisor: Proxmox VE / ESXi 9
- Storage: Synology-style DSM, fnOS, OMV, TrueNAS SCALE
- Desktops: Windows, Ubuntu, macOS
The x86 core board runs the hypervisor; the PXE module handles imaging and network boot beside the host—not a replacement for the router VM.
More hardware context: product overview. Dual-WAN or specific NIC models? Contact us.