TP-LINK is known as a manufacturer of functional and at the same time affordable and easy to configure types of communication devices. Among the popular types of products offered by this brand of the market are repeaters, as well as routers with the corresponding function. What are the main features of both types of devices? How are they configured?
What is a repeater?
A repeater is a device that allows you to amplify a Wi-Fi signal coming from a router. The need for its use arises if the power of the router is not enough to ensure the functioning of the wireless network within the area of ​​a room or office. The functionality of the repeater, in principle, corresponds to the one that characterizes the operation of the router. That is, when connecting to a wireless network through a repeater, the user has the right to expect the same infrastructure performance from the network infrastructure as if the connection were made directly to the router.
It can be noted that, as an alternative to using the devices in question, you can use the router itself, for example TP-LINK, in repeater mode. Consider how the device in question functions as an independent element of the infrastructure, as well as how to use the router in the appropriate mode.
What are the main features of TP-LINK repeaters?
First of all, it is worth noting that the company TP-LINK produces communication equipment, including repeaters, as part of a very large model range. Speaking specifically about the devices of this type, the TL-WA850RE device can be called a typical solution that combines the features that are characteristic of most modern repeaters from TP-LINK. In particular, this product has the following main advantages:
- TP-LINK TL-WA850RE repeater is capable of operating in the radio signal amplification mode, so that the wireless network can be expanded over a large area;
- the device has small dimensions, due to which it can be installed even if there is a little free space in the user's room or office;
- if necessary, wired devices can also be connected to the router via the Ethernet port.
The device in question can quickly connect to Wi-Fi routers that have the WPS function, provided that the routers have the corresponding button. If such a connection was once made, then the reconfiguration of the TP-LINK repeater is generally not required.
If we talk about the possibilities of communication using an Ethernet port, then such solutions as game consoles, SMART TVs, as well as various multimedia devices can be connected to the device. At the same time, the device connected to the cable can, using the resources of the repeater, also be part of the wireless infrastructure.
The TP-LINK repeater in this modification is equipped with a sufficiently large number of LED indicators, through which you can, first of all, determine the location of the device. It is recommended to install the repeater in those places where at least 3 corresponding blue indicators will light.
If necessary, the TP-LINK TL-WA850RE repeater can be used as a communication device through a special mobile application. This solution provides connection from a phone or tablet to a wireless network, and also allows you to manage various options of the repeater.
Let us now consider how the TP-LINK repeater is configured.
Repeater Setup: Network Connection Settings
Before connecting the device in question to the router, you should pay attention to the correct configuration of the second device. So, you need to specify the following information in its parameters:
- IP address
- name of the network to which it connects;
- type of encryption;
- password.
After the necessary settings are made, you need to go to the next step of setting up the connection of the repeater with the router. It is noteworthy that it involves the temporary connection of the first device to the computer via a cable - just the same using the Ethernet port. At the same time, while the TP-LINK repeater interacts with the PC, the router must be turned off.
PC Repeater Setup
In order to configure the device in question, you must use the web interface for managing the device options - through the browser. Having opened it, you need to select the Network function. After that, you need to check whether the IP address of the repeater is in the same segment as the IP address of the router. That is, the first 3 groups of digits in the IP address must match exactly. If at least 1 is different, you must enter the correct IP address in the repeater settings, which belongs to the corresponding segment. Then you need to save the settings by clicking on Save.
After that, select the Quick Setup option in the web interface. After - click on Next, then - on Wireless. After that you need to select the Range Extender option and set the Operation Mode parameter for it. The next step is to find the router on the network using the Search function. Connection should be based on the network name that is defined for the router in the previous step. After selecting this option, click Save.
Network Security Configuration: Nuances
Next, you need to configure, determining the optimal parameters, according to which the repeater should work, WiFi. TP-LINK allows, in particular, to establish the level of network protection. To do this, select the Wireless option, then Wireless Security. Then you should set the WPA2-PSK parameter, as well as the AES encryption method . After entering the password corresponding to what is registered in the settings of the router. Then click Save.
Thus, the main task of the user when setting up the repeater is to enter the same settings into the device in question and into the router to which he connects.
Repeater setup: testing
After setting up the appropriate device, it is necessary to check how correctly the wireless network will function. To do this, select the System Tools option, then Diagnostic. After that, you must enter the address that is set for the router in the IP address field. Then you need to click on Start in order to start the testing mechanism.
TP-LINK router as a repeater
At the beginning of the article, we noted that an alternative to using a repeater if it is absent or if it is necessary to build a wireless network infrastructure on an even larger scale may be to use a router in repeater mode. In particular, many of the devices manufactured by the TP-LINK brand have this feature. Among such solutions is the TL-WA901N device. Consider how to configure the TP-LINK router as a repeater in the corresponding modification.
It can be noted that the router in this modification has such features as:
- data transfer within the Wi-Fi network with a speed of 300 Mbps;
- ensuring the functioning of the wireless infrastructure in the modes of a router, WDS - that is, a repeater, a bridge;
- quick setup of data transmission with encryption;
In addition, the device supports PoE technology - up to 30 meters, so that the router can be installed in hard-to-reach areas.
Now in more detail about using the TP-LINK router repeater function in the TL-WA901N modification. First of all, you need to configure the router through a computer.
Router as a repeater: PC setup
To solve this problem, you need to connect the router to the PC via an RJ-45 network cable. After entering the “Control Panel” of Windows, select the option “Network and Internet”, then - “Network and Access Control Center”. In the appropriate interface, you must select an option that allows you to change the adapter settings. After right-clicking, select "Local Area Connection", then - "Properties". In the interface that opens, you need to set the optimal connection parameters: the IP address of the adapter, as well as the subnet mask.
The next step is to enable the web-based management interface of the router, similar to what we used to configure the repeater. You need to open a browser and enter the IP address of the router in the address bar (usually it is indicated on the bottom of the router). On the page that opens, you need to enter a username and password - in general, this is the word admin.
Directly in the control panel of the router, select the option "Wireless Network", then - "Network Settings". After - specify the correct options on the page that opens. The main thing here is to reflect that the router will be used as a universal or conventional repeater (the second option should be selected if WDS mode is activated). After that, you need to click on the search button, and in the list that opens, select the router that you want to relay. Then click on “Connect”. After - save the settings.
The router should reboot.
Router as a repeater: setting up network protection
The next step in configuring the TP-LINK router in repeater mode is to determine the wireless security settings. To solve this problem, you must select the option "Connection Security". In it, it is necessary to reflect the parameters that fully correspond to those installed in the router to which the custom device is connected. This is a very important nuance, because if the settings are different, then the relay will not function correctly.
After that, you need to reboot the device and check how the router functions as a repeater. To do this, go to the “Status” tab in the router control menu.
Router or repeater?
We learned how to configure the TP-LINK router as a repeater using one of the most popular router modifications as an example, however, the problem is solved similarly on other common TP-LINK devices. The scheme considered by us can be considered, therefore, sufficiently unified. To configure different devices in order to enable them in repeater mode, very similar program interfaces are used (apart from the nuance that they can differ in design language).
Both options for deploying a wireless network infrastructure can be considered equivalent, in terms of ensuring its stability. In principle, it doesn’t matter if the original repeater is activated or if the router is used in this (but it is desirable that both devices were released by the same brand - TP-LINK) quality. The repeater, from the point of view of ensuring the functioning of the network, may not be enough at the required scale, so it can be supplemented by a router that supports the function of a repeater at the same level of stability and performance of network maintenance. Both devices can be interchangeable, since they perform virtually the same function. In addition, according to similar principles, the adjustment adapted to the functionality of both TP-LINK devices is carried out. The repeater mode of the original device and router are activated and work within the framework of a single algorithm.
The most important thing in setting up both types of devices is to observe the synchronism of the addressing parameters of the devices, as well as those related to ensuring the security of data exchange. The solution to this problem is facilitated, again, by using similar programming interfaces to configure both the router and the relay.
Summary
So, we looked at how to configure the TP-LINK repeater as a standalone device, and also use the router manufactured by this brand as a relay. Both methods of deploying a wireless network infrastructure allow you to increase the coverage area of ​​a Wi-Fi signal and provide connectivity to devices located at a considerable distance from the router or having insufficient sensitivity to the signal level from it.