Review on 📶 TP-LINK Archer C7 AC1750 Gigabit Dual Band Wireless Router with WiFi by Jeremy Romero

Hardware version 4: Very good router for the price, minor flaws in AP mode. I originally purchased this router from a local store in early August 2018 after receiving hardware version 2. After checking the firmware update online, I found that version 4 is the latest hardware version. I then ordered this router from Amazon (as a seller) on August 10, 2018 and was happy to receive version 4. My device comes with a firmware that is over a year old, but the first thing I do after purchasing a network device. (and you should too!) is to update the firmware to the latest version from the manufacturer's website. This review applies to firmware 1.0.7 build 20180425 rel.62587(5553). Some notes on the differences between v2 and v4: The v4 web configuration interface has a different look and feel. It also provides some additional useful information, for example in version 2 I couldn't see the router's current date and time. Version 4 offers more options: you can switch off the LEDs permanently or set a daily switch-off time, e.g. B. at night. This is extremely useful if you keep the router in your bedroom. - v4 provides AP (Access Point) operation mode out of the box (with some limitations). While you can run v2 (as well as v4) as an AP in router mode, using the built-in AP mode makes setup much easier for a network novice. Since I intended to use the router as an access point, I tried AP mode first, but found some limitations of AP mode: the router's LEDs cannot be turned off, and you cannot disable WPS (potential security risk). ), since the corresponding menu items are not available in AP mode. Because of these AP mode limitations, I run the device in router mode and manually configure it to act as an access point. I lose some features (auto-get router time, auto-get firmware updates), but for me it's worth the extra setup and maintenance effort. Judging by the first 24 hours of use, I am very satisfied with my purchase: - The WiFi range is very good and very stable, there are no connection problems. In fact, I lowered the wireless power from high to medium and still have very good connectivity for devices around me. - I'm satisfied with the speed, it's enough for my needs. - Because the device is in our bedroom. , it's great to be able to turn off the LEDs on a schedule at night. What I would like to improve: - The integrated AP mode should be improved to allow for LED control and WPS mode control (as well as other relevant settings that I may have overlooked) - It would be great, the Wi-Fi radio to turn off on a schedule. Вычитая 1/2 звезды за незначительные ограничения прошивки в режиме AP (см. выше), я даю этому устройству 4,5 звезды, округляю до 5 звезд, и я надеюсь, что устройство будет оставаться таким же надежным в будущем, как и в первый Day. A note on the website how to configure this router to act as an access point in router mode if you do not want to use the integrated AP mode (this information is provided as always without any responsibility for any problems or following information if you If at any point you can no longer connect to the device, reset the settings and start over): 1. Look at your main router and note its internal IP address and the range of internal DHCP service numbers. For example, if the internal IP address of the router is 192.168.x.1 and the DHCP service starts with numbers from 192.168.x.100, then the numbers from 192.168.x.2 to 192.168.x.99 are free static IP to assign addresses. (Note that "x" means a number between 0 and 255, for most routers it's 1, but I've seen that it can also be 0 or 10. Look at your router's internal IP address to get the value of x). Let's say x = 1. With the above assumptions in mind, let's now choose any number that isn't already in use (by a router, DHCP service, or any other device on your network). Let's say we choose 20, so the static IP to use would be 192.168.1.20. (Wow, that was the tricky part.) 2. Power on the Archer C7. Don't connect it to the main router yet! But connect from your computer (via cable to LAN port) or via Wi-Fi.3. Give the router a new password (and write it down!).4. You start in quick setup mode. Click Exit to exit this mode, then click the Advanced tab at the top of the page. Please note that the presence of the advanced mode is a prerequisite for the following steps.5. Click Network -> DHCP Server, uncheck Enable DHCP Server, and click Save. DO NOT reboot your router just yet! 6. Click "Network -> LAN" and enter the static IP address that we found in step 1 (in our example, for example, 192.168.1.20). Leave the subnet mask as 255.255.255.0 and click Save.7. The router will restart automatically. (That's why we did step 5 before step 6, because they have to happen in one fell swoop.) 8. Now connect your C7's LAN port (!) to your main router. The WAN port is no longer usable, so do not connect anything to this port.9. The symbolic device name tplinkwifi may no longer be available to connect to the configuration portal. Instead, use the Statis IP address from step #1 in your browser's address bar to connect to the web interface (in my example: 192.168.1.20)10 . You need to set the router time manually (System Tools -> Time Settings) and you can disable WPS under (System Tools -> System Settings). (Note again that you must be in advanced mode to do this.) 11. The built-in check for firmware updates (System Tools -> Firmware Update) also does not work in this configuration. So be sure to check the manufacturer's website every few months (or after major router vulnerabilities are posted).